El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1901-01-30
WRONGFULLY ACCUSED.

| for it was bargain day and many special
| sales had been advertised.
A large, important looking woman,
| richly dressed, had managed by n liberal
| use of her elbows to get in the front row
| and attract the attention of a saleSgirl.
| who stood if bewildered at the commo-
ton around her,
Here, clerk" she called loudly. "a
dozen of black, 61a, and be quick about
! 1t, too, as 1 don't want to be crushed to
death by this vulgar crowd"
The girl addressed, a slender, pretty
! blond, with aristocratic features, invoi-
unfairly drew herself up and opened her
lips if to reply to this rude speech, but
remembering where she was closed her
lips and turned to select the gloves.
Twill you try on a pair?"
"Of course 1 will, and do be careful you
do not pinch my hand. You glove filters
are so clumsy And drawing off her
glove the customer displayed a hand be-
decked with glittering rings.
Il must ask you to remove your rings
or 1 cannot properly fit you" And the
| pretty clerk waited patiently until the
rings were ostentatiously removed and
laid in a shining heap on the counter.
After several unnecessary orders the
gloves were fitted and done up and the
buyer began to put on her rings. As she
did so she gave quick glance and cried
out loudly:
"You have stolen one of my ringsv'
The proud. disdainful look which had
appeared on the young girls face at the
accusation gave way to one of anxiety
the woman loudly reiterated her charge.
Indeed. madam, l did not touch your
ring. You must have dropped it!' she
cried. Running around in front of the
counter. she began to search on the floor
for the missing bauble, and many stand
Al
vain.
"You can't fool me-" declared the own
err in positive tones. "You took that ring
and you've got to return it pay for it.
You just come along to the office with me
| and he searched" And, seizing the girl
by the hand. she almost dragged her to
the Office.
were in the office when the two women
entered.
This girl has stolen a diamond ring
from me, Mr.. Clifford" announced the
customer, relating the circumstances,
land l want her searched"
Impossible, Mrs. Hardlos. 1 assure
you that Miss -" began Mr.. Clifford
but stopped at n sign from his compan-
| ion.
May I ask. madam" said the gentle
man in a cold, clear voice, ''if you are
sure you removed the ring and placed it
on the counter? Could it not perha bps
have remained in the finger of the
| glove?''
The young clerk looked at the gentle
man when he spoke for the first time
| since entering the office and turned very
pale. then red again, so that to a suspi-
; cious mind she was the picture of guilt.
"That is impossible. Such a thing
| never occurred" Mrs. Hardlos exclaimed
| angrily: but. taking up the glove she had
| worn. she gave an involuntary cry of sur
prise. The ring had indeed stuck in the
glove finger and now sparkled maliciously
as its owner pulled it out.
With profound apologies Mrs. Hardlos
| turned to the proprietor. He quietly mo-
toned 70 the clerk to withdraw. but the
gentleman who with him laid a re-
straininG hand on her arm.
"Do not go" he said. until you have
given this-this person an opportunity to
apologize to you. as you are the only in
| jured party" he said decidedly.
| "How dare you, sir? Who are you that
you presume to dictate to me?" Mrs.
| Hardlos haughtily exclaimed.
| The stranger handed her his card. and
| a marked change of expression was no.
ticeable on Mrs. Hardlos' worldly fea-
| lures. The name on the card was that
| wealth and influence. one whose ac-
| quaintance was eagerly sought by the
most select. Besides this. he was bach
| elor and considered great Catch"
You are quite right. Mr.. Jameson, but
| i will atone for my mistake. Here, my
good girl. take this" drawing out a So
note ostentatiously, "and call us even"
If this was considered an apology in
| the eyes of Mrs. Hardlos, it did not pass
for such in the eyes of her victim. With
| gesture as naughty any of her for
mer accuser the girl refused the offered
money and. turning to the proprietor.
asked if she might be excused.
With his permission she withdrew and
was followed by Mr.. Jameson. who has
tily babe adieu to his friend and overlook
her at the door. He spoke to her in low
! tones for n moment. then raised his hat
and left her The new clerk remained in
her place until her week was up, then re-
signed her position.
About two months after the unfortu-
nate affair of the ring Mrs. Hardlos re-
ceived an invitation to a reception given
in honor of Mr.. Jameson and his bride.
Greatly pleased. she determined to at
tend and by every art In her power cause
Mr.. Jameson to forget her unkindness to
the poor glove clerk and make friends
with his wife. who would be social
power.
AS she was led up to the bride and
groom and looked at the former. a beau
tiful blond. dressed with elegant simplici-
ty and radiant with happiness. it seemed
to her that she had seen her before, but
could not recall where.
She was enlightened n few moments
later when she mentioned the fact to her.
yes" replied the bride. you are quite
right, Mrs. Hardlos: we have met before.
1t was at Mr.. Gilford's glove counter the
day you accused me of stealing your ring.
PerbaDs if Won had known that / was