The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1899-02-09

reaching home that afternoon, and
had not then remembered where she
had lost it. Advertisements asking
for its return and promising a reward
for this action were inserted in all the
papers by her father, but these, as
Marcia never saw them, we're Of no
avail At last she gave up the ring
for hOpelessly lost, never thinking of
having left it at school until some
weeks after missing 1T
Then, one morning as she stood
waiting for a eomrade in the base
ment, the janitor casually remarked
that he supposed she had got her ring
all right. Explanations followed and
Evelyn at once jumped to the conclu-
sion that Marcia had stolen the ring.
3 81 always knew there was Come
thing queer about her, she was so I'M
naturally quiet and still" sne ex-
claimed, not remembering that no OPP
portunity had been given quiet, retir-
ing Marcia to be anything else.
"She's just thief, that's all she is,
and she stayed away from school all
this time just because she doesn't
dare come backr'
Hush, hush, hushl Marcia has
has been ill, commanded the prin-
cipal, when Evelyn dashed into the
Office with her excited story. THAT
is, she was ill two weeks ago, when
sent to find out the cause of her alb
senee. 1 know she ISL There was
another rush to the Office 10 find out
Marcia's address, but Miss Strong re-
fused to give it.
LET me hear no more of such
words as thief and dishonest, ," she
said, sternly, II will look into the
matter, Evelyn, as l told you. In the
meantime, let nothing more be said
But q great deal more was said,
despite the PRINCIPALS command. Be-
fore school closed that afternoon the
report that Marcia had stolen the dia-
mond ring had spread all through the
school. 1t was discussed by knots of
excited boys and girls upon the play
ground that afternoon, and again Just
IS eagerly the next morning. When
school was presently opened and it
was supposed that nothing had been
heard about the ring a state of ex-
element but poorly suppressed
reigned everywhere. And in the
midst of all this, just as they were
yainly trying to draw their attention
from Evelyn's crimson cheeks and
flashing eyes to the lesson in hand,
the door opened and Marcia herself
walked in. Distressed at being late
and evidently little nervous herself,
she made her way quietly to her seat
and opened her books. Almost be-
fore this had happened, however,
Evelyn was upon her feet and wildly
signaling the teacher.
Where is my ring?" she asked
Marcia, as the teacher merely looked
at her quietly and gave no permission
10 speak. Where is the ring that
you cole from me?''
Marcia, looking at her in open and
undisguised establishment, turned
pale at the sound of the word ''stole. :"
DO You mean to ssy?" she in
CURED IN her turn, after q moment or
two of horri6ed silence on the part OF
all concerned, that you think stole
your ring?"
"Of course you stole it, responded
Evelyn, sngrily. and losing all con-
troll of herself in her passion. Tell
me where it is or I'll have you ar
rested right awayi"
For answer Marcia, who had arisen
to her feet when confronted by Ele-
lyn's accusation, sank slowly to her
seat and turned her attention to her
books. She was pallid with anger,
trembling with wrath and indignation,
but she kept herself we'll in hard.
Evelyn also sat down; she was zoo
weak with excitement to stand up
longer. No further word was spoken
until Miss Strong, whose coming at
that hour was unusual, stepped quiet
ly into the room. At sight of the
flushed and nervous faces turned
toward her she stopped and looked in
quiringly at the teacher, who briefly
explained the recent occurrence, and
Miss Strong's own face took on an un-
usually brilliant color. She mounted
the platform and faced the pupils
with an air of stern indignation.
There has been great, terrible
injustice done here" she said, slowly,
"and l am greatly ashamed that any
pupil of the Hammond school should
have been so unkind, as well as so
wicked. Miss Gorton's ring was re-
turned to me by Miss Andrews this
morning; it would have been returned
to Miss Gorton long ago, as 1 have
ample proof, if it had been possible
for the unwilling retainer of the ring
to find Miss Gorton.
Miss Andrews" addressing Mar
cia, with courteous kindness, Miss
Gorton will, of course, apologize to
You promptly for her injustice and un.
kindness.
ITS Just the way they've acted all
along, said Marcia, stung to bitter
speech by the remembrance of her
winter loneliness, eliminating in this
dreadful accusation. 81 wanted to
come to the city so badly" she went
on, barely choking back the tears
which told in her voice if not her eyes,
and it's been perfectly awful. I've
been the loneliest girl in school all
winter, and now"-breakirg down en-
tirely-"they think rd-steal!"
NO, we, don't, Marcia, we don't.
indeed cried Evelyn, as warm heart
ed and quick to repent as she was i'm
pulslveiy ready to jump at conclu-
sions. I'VE don't, dearie. never real.
'ly thought so myself. 1 was only 90
anxious to get my ring back, and il
looked so queer that you'd kept it.
and got so excited and angry Please