The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1900-04-05
THE STORY
A Shield Pin.

I do not like to take mp personal
cases, as we detectives call a certain
class of work. so when Miss Angel OF
Broadside street, sent for me to take
mp ''small personal mystery" re-
sponded with poor grace.
Scarcely had she begun to tell her
story, however, than became so ln-
terested that I begged her to continue
and tell me the details as far as pos
sible.
Miss Angell was engaged to Mr..
Clouds peculiar combination OF
names to begin with, and was devot-
edly attached to him. In fact, she
confessed with tears in her eyes that
, his love was more, or had been more,
than life to her.
The rest of the story will let her
tell in her own words.
'.Mr. Cloud" she said, "is in the
habit of calling upon me almost every
evening. About week ago he came
to dinner, invited by mamma. He
was to attend supper of the Phoenix
club at 10 o'clock, and wore evening
dress.
sat table we noticed an exquisite
shield pin he wore. 1t shone so bril-
hantly that it caught the eye at once.
Mr.. Cloud took the pin off and it was
passed around the table for US all to
examine.
'.It was a shield as large as q quar-
ter with the outside edge bordered
With pure rubies, blood red, all of a
size and without flaw. The centre
of the shield consisted of large dla-
mond cut not very deep, yet too deep
to be sunken, SO it was elevated in
wire setting. Around the diamonds
were perfectly matched black pearls.
The combination was so unusual that
we exclaimed as we handled the jewel
and I remarked that I had never seen
it before.
s'When we had finished exami ming
it MI. Cloud said: That is my Phoenix
Club badge. 1t belongs to the presi-
dent. When was elected the badge
was presented to me by the members
and when resign, and new presi-
dent comes in, I must give up the
badge to him. It is the presidents
badge, to be owned by him during his
term of Office. Of course, it is only
to be worn ut the meetings.
s'Mamma spoke of its great value.
'Yes,' said Mr.. Cloud, it is indeed
very valuable. It is worth thousands.
If + we're to lose it I should feel
ruined, as could never hope to re-
place it.
CAS- he spoke Mr.. Clouds face be-
came very serious. We had case OF
that kind, said he-'s most curious
case. The president lost his badge
and committed suicide next day. You
see he was suspected of having sold
it,
'.After we had looked at the badge
and talked about it, I very foolishly
asked to wear it, and in fit of way
wardness reached across the table,
took it up and put it in the bow OF nib
bon at my throat.
sat the close of the meal, Mr..
Cloud asked me for 1T, but /, to tease
him, said T meant to keep it, and ran
mp stairs with it on.
'.After they were seated in the par
lor I stole quietly down the stairs and
placed the pin in the lining of Mr..
Clouds overcoat, directly under the
lapel.
'I went back to my room and came
down stairs again. I found mamma
and my sister seated alone in the par.
lor. Mr.. Cloud had gone out to send
q telegram. he would be back in
minute.
S when he returned, which was after
half an hour, he came in for only
minute, to say good-by, and to ask
for his pin: Come. Mazie,' he said,
syou have teased me long enough. Let
me- have the pin now. must 60.
$ 7 gave it back to you, 1 said,
and you have it now
'Then I stood up and running my
fingers along the lapel of his coat felt
for the pin. It was gone!
sI turned as white as snow and as
felt the color leaving my face. I
said: Z gave it back
'My mother looked up surprised
and Mr.. Cloud stared at me. yes, I
gave it back, I put it on your coat.
You must have it
"'Why Maize said Mr.. Cloud,
how can you say so?'
sI pass over the disagreeable scene
which followed. I will not mention
Mr. Clouds chagrin or my mothers
amazement. even as explained how
I had stolen down the stairs and had
fastened the precious pin in the lapel
Of the coat, just for fun, and how l
intended after teasing him to tell him
tiat it was there As I talked I could
see my mothers incredulous looks
and Mr.. Clouds absolute dismay.
They did not believe me!
'.After the most painful quarter of
an hour which I ever expect to spend
Mr.. Cloud left, shaking hands cor
daily with my mother and saying q
cold good night to me-
s.After he had gone my mother said
'Maizie, my darling girl, tell the
truth. It is not too late
There is nothing more to tell,
mother I said. 4 have told you the
whole truth
'.After a while my mother saw that
I was in earnest and she believed me.
But as next day came and passed, and
no word came from Mr.. Cloud, I saw
that he doubted me. The third day
there came formal note saying that
If I would return the pin he would
give me its value in money, paying
me as rapidly as. his circumstances
would permit. As it was valued at
many thousands, it was then beyond
his means.
81 tore the note into bits and did
not reply.
''That was a week ago. For the
first three days I was too much over
come by modification to take any
steps towards establishing my inno-