Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1901-05-02
THURMONT Frederick County, Maryland Thursday, May z, 1901
A SOLITAIRE DIAMOND.

OUIII MIL OlnNIOVO'
II CANNOT tell you anything. l sus'
II pect nobody. There seems no one
to suspect. I only know that l have
lost my solitaire diamond ring said
Miss Lawrence to the detectiye. ut
was not as valuable as some of my other
Jewels, but far more precious to me, tor
associations sake
Your servants, the maid suggested
the detective.
Have been with my family for years.
Ny maid is a dear old creature, who
was formerly my nurse. She might
steal for me if were in want, but not
from me-
And there is no new inmate Of your
householdY persisted the man. No
guest stopping with your
No.
Give me the names of every body now
living here
Miss Lawrence went to her. writing
desk and made out the required list.
TIE man read it over thoughtfully.
Who is Miss Elsie Cews| he in
quired
Miss Lawrence flushed. "A friend
Of mine she said.
Does she live bere"
No; she has been visiting US, though,
for several months
Are you exceedingly fond Of one
another"
Miss Lawrence hesitated, and the
man SAID: \ must Insist that you be
quite candid with me-
Well, we were very fond Of one an
other said Miss Lawrence.
1iaye you quarreiedY
Not exactly. In fact, doubt if
Elsie feels any differently toward me,
but
But you have changed to her. Is
there man in the case"
Miss Lawrence nodded. Her face was
crimson.
Did the man have anything to DO
with the ring"
Me gave it to me
YOU may think me impertInent but
| must ask whether you were engaged
to that man.
l was
And it is uow broken off p
Yes; bot before We came to an open
rupture ceased to wear the ring. We
Quurreed several times. Finally
broke the engagement and the next day
looked for the ring to return it, when
for the first time ! discovered It's loss
You will therefore understand why
am so anxious to recover 1t. ! must
send it back. What can lie think Of my
already long delay?
Did Miss Clews know that you were
engagedY
Yes, and in spite of thai fact she
tlirted with the man on every possible
occasion. do not know whether she
! is aware how matters stand now. She
continues to treat ne with the utmost
friendliness, and says nothing whatever
about cutting short her visit.
,Um,' said the detective, and he took
his leave, completely nonplussed.
A few minutes later Elsie CIews
danced into the room. Elsie was on'
of those graceful little creatures who
never seem to walk sedately, but glance
in and out of an apartment like a ray
of sunshine.
Miss Lawrence looked up at her cold
", but suddenly stitfened still more.
Where did you get that ring: sh
demanded.
Elsie paused bewildered, then he
eyes fell upon large solitaire dlamon
which she wore on the third finger G
her left hand.
oh Y she said, flushing deliciously,
very nice young man gave me that
How lovely, said Miss Lawrence
DO let me see it.
Elsie drew 1t off with some reluctanc
Miss Lawrence looked at it closely
Yes, there was the true lovers knt
engraved inside. There could be n
doubt that it was her ring. She hande
it back thoroughly bewildered, Els
could not have taken it from her jew'
Gaze, or she would not be wearing
thus openly before its owners yer
eyes.
Miss Lawrence went at once to tn
detectives office and told him what ha
transpred.
The mystery deepened.
What is the mans nameY asked IL