Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1900-03-22
Story Of a Shield Pin.

= DO not like to take up personal
eases. as we detectives call GER
Stain class Of work. so when Miss
Angel of Rroadsde street sent for me
to take up II "small personal mystery
l responded with poor grace.
Scarcely had she begun to tell her
story. however, than l became so in
terested that | begged her to continue
md tell me the details as far as posi-
bic.
Miss Angel was engaged to MI.
Cloud-a peculiar combination OF names
to begin WITH and was devoteuly AT
tached 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 l will let her
tell in her own words.
"Mr Cloud" she said. lis IN the hnDit
Of calling on me almost every evening
About a week ago he came to dlhher'
invited by mamma. He was to attend
a supper OF the Phoenix Club at III
o'clock. and wore evening dress.
AT the table we noticed an exquisite
shield pin he wore. 1t shone so bril-
liantly that it caught the eye ut once
Mr.. Cloud took the pin off and 1t was
nassed around the table for us all to
examine.
eft was shield as large as quar-
ter with the outside edge bOrdered WIN
--wrrnUut nav. The center OF the
shield consisted of a large diamond
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
| remarked that | had never seen 1t
before
When we had finished examining 1t
Mr.. Cloud said: That is my Phoenix
club badge. 1t belongs to the president.
When was elected the badge was pre-
scented to me by the members and when
| resign. and Il new president comes In,
must give up the badge to him. 1t
Is the presidents badge. to be owned
by him during his term Of office. or
course. 1t Is only to be worn at the
meetings
Mamma spoke of its great value.
Yes, said Mr.. Cloud, 1T is indeed very
valuable 1t is worth thousands. II
were to lose 1t should feel ruined.
as could never hope to replace It,
"As he spoke Mr.. Clouds face be-
came very serious. We once had
Ease Of that kind said he-'a most curl
pus 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. | very foolishly
asked to wear it. and In fit Of way
wardness | reached across the table,
took it up and put 1t in the bow of rib
bon at my throat.
AT the close Of the meal, Mr.. Cloud
asked me for 1t. but l. to tease him,
said ! meant to keep 1t, and ran up
stairs with 1t on.
"After they were seated in the parlor
stole quietly down the stairs and
placed the pin In the lining of Mr..
Clouds overcoat. directly under the
lapel.
Wciit W'N WI W NY ItoIl uIlu
came down stairs again. found
mamma and my sister seated alone in
HE pnrlor. Mr. Cloud had gone out to
send a telegram. He would be back
in a minute.
when he returned, which was after
half an hour, he came in for only II
minute. to say good-by. he said. and to
lsk for his pin: Come. Mazie.' he said,
you have tensed me long enough. Let
n,e have the pin now. l must GO
"'l gave it back to YOU said. and
you have it now.
Then stood up and running my
ingcrs along the lapel Of his coat felt
.or the pin. II was gone.
Il turned as white as snow ana as
'clt the color leaving my face, said
gave it back
MY mother looked up surprised and
Mr.. Cloud stared at me. Yes, gave
It back. put it on your coat. You
must have it,
why Maize said Mr. Cloud, how
can you say SOP
II pass over the disacreeable scene
which followed. will not mention
Mr.. Clouds chagrin or my mothers