Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1899-02-18

from school all this time Just because
she doesn't dare come back!"
Hush, hush. hush! Marcia has
been ILL.," commanded the principal.
when Evelyn dashed into the ONCE
with her excited story. That is. she
was Ill two weeks ago, when sent to
hnd out the cause of her absence.
know she isw There was another rush
to the ONCE to find out Marcia's ad-
dress, but Miss Strong refused to give
| 1t.
| Let me hear no more OF such words
as thief and dishonest" she said.
sternly. Twill look into the matter,
Evelyn, as told you. In the mean
time, let nothing more be said"
| But great deal more was said, de-
spite the principals command. Be-
fore school closed that afternoon the
report thar Marcia had stolen the dia-
mond ring had spread all through the
school, 1t was discussed by knots OF
excited girls and boys upon the play
ground that afternoon, and again just
as eagerly the next morning. When
school was presently opened and it
| "oo baPpoScu lHdt notuluS hoA bSSh
heard about the ring. state OF excite
ment but poorly suppressed reigned ev-
erywhere. And in the midst OF all
this. Just as they were vainly 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. Dis
tressed at being late, and evidently a
little nervous herself. she made her
way quietly to her seat and opened her
books. Almost before this had hap
pened. however, Evelyn was upon her
feet and wildly signaling the teacher.
Where is my ring?" she asked Mar
cha, as the teacher merely looked at
her quietly and gave no permission to
speak. Where is the ring that you
stole from me?"
Marcia. looking at her in open and
undisguised establishment. turned pale
at the sound Of the word stole
DO you mean to say?" she inquired
: In her turn, after a moment or two OF
Mortified silence on the part OF all con-
cerned, that you think stole your
ring?"
'Of course you stole It," he sponded
Evelyn, angrily, and losing all control
OF herself in her passion. Tell me
where it is or I'll have you arrested
right away"
!. For answer, Marcia, who had arisen
TO her feet when confronted by Eve
lyn's accusation, sank slowly to hel
seat and turned her attention to hel
books. She was pallid with anger
trembling with warmth and indigna.
ton. but she kept herself we'll In hand
Evelyn also sat down; she was toe
I weak with excitement to stand III
longer. No further word was Spoken
until Miss Strong, whose coming Al
: that hour was unusual. stepped quietly
, into the room. At sight of the flush
: ed and nervous faces turned toward
her she stopped and looked inquiringl,
at the teacher, who briefly explained
the recent occurrence, and Mis-
StronE's own face took on an unusual
= ly brilliant color. She mounted tn
: platform and faced the pupils with al
= air OF stern indignation.
There has been a great, terrible
injustice done here this morning." sh
said, slowly, land am greatly asham
ed that any pupil OF the Hammond
school should have been so unkind, a
we'll as SO wicked. Miss Gorton's rim,
was returned to me by Miss Andrew
this morning; 1t would have been re
: turned TO Miss Gorton long ago. as
have ample proof, If it had been pos
sible for the unwilling retainer of tn
ring to find Miss Gorton.
: Miss Andrews" addressing Marcia
with courteous kindness, Miss Gorto
WILL of course, apologize to yo
: promptly for her injustice and unkind
ness"
Its Just the way they've acted a
along" said Marcia, stung to bite
speech by the remembrance of her win
ter's loneliness. eliminating in thI
dreadful accusation. Il wanted I
come to the city so badly" she wer
on. barely choking back the teal
which told in her voice II not her eye
to land it's been perfectly awful Nv
err been the loneliest girl in school a
ke winter, and now"-breaking down ell
h. tirely-"they think I'd steai!"
a mo. we don't, Marcia, we don't, II
lie deedr' cried Evelyn, as warm hearte
gn and quick TO repent as she was impu
as sively ready to jump at conclusion
ed I'VE don't dearie. never real
all thought so myself. I was only
of anxious to get my ring back, and
he looked so queer that you'd keep it, ar
~ got so excited and angry. Please 70
IL give me-" she whispered. throwing h
ct arms around the sobbing Marcia al
Ig- kissing her warmly, "and forget tn
lg was ever SO mean"
ng The storm had all blown over a fe
as minutes later, when Marcia and Ev
DOL Ign. who had both been excused. u
es- asked, by Miss Strong, for the rest
he the day, went down the stairway
re- gether. It was the first time viii
1t they had ever done so, arm in arm, a
they have been fast friends ever sin,
lot Ethel Maude Colson.
ter