The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-04-17
1908. BY ". R. He.r.t

evening stroll with Muriel still doomed
as a possibility; the restoration of the
ring might bring 1t off, or, on the other
hand, it might make her hopelessly dis
tant to him.
The ring must be sent back at nee
but 1t was desirable to choose a more
roundabout means.
Turning the matter, over in his mind,
Haslam noticed the bathing man, who
had let them the machine in the morn
ing. He was busy laying down. towels
to dry, n securing them to beach with
the biggest stones he could find. A
bright idea struck Haslam. Jumping
to his feet, he strolled in the mans di.
rectfon.
Good afternoon!"
Afternoon, sir!"
Not much business after / o'clock,
eh?"
NO, sir. gents always choose the
mornin' for bathin'."
The man had an honest enough face,
and was fortunately not too intelli-
gent.
II say, you remember hat old gem
tleman who lost a ring this morning.
Not found 1t yet, I s%uppose?"
Not yet, sir"
well. I never. sir! A beauty, isn't
it? l wish I'd that sort O. uck In
findin' things
Haslan twisted the ring meditatfye-
ly between his fingers.
You should have found it really, my
man, n I don't mind doing you g.
good turn. Half a crown or Eve bob
mean something to.you, I know. He's
a rich old gent, and would like to IA
something to get that ring back. You
trot up with 1t. He's stopping at the
Melville. A dozen new towels won't
come amfss, will they?"
The man was profuse in his thanks,
and evidently thought the arrangement
entirely disinterested.
That's very good Of you. sir. I'll go
at once."
mo need to mention anything about
me. IL he asks anything, Just say
something about Its being picked up on
h beach,"
again."
Haslam watched the man don his
coat and reach the esplanade. Then he
strolled back to his seat, In with an
absolutely contented mind lit q fresh
cigaret.
That evening Haslam obeyed the
summons. OF the dinner n with, un-
usual anticipation. He was confident
that he had emerged satisfactorily from
a rather awkward affair. The Arch
ers would be jubilant ove the recov-
cry of the ring. He would, OF course,
show proper surprise at the strange
story and express congratulations In
fe!icitious terms. It would net$be his
fault IL he did not bash that night In
the sunshine Of Muriels favor.
Directly, however, HasIams entered
the dining DON andsstook his aecus.
toned seat, he becStpe aware Of q most
annoying circumstRHEe. TEas Archers
had been shifted tpftHt4 other tahE, with
their backs toward him. uu1btless the
boarding house management was re-
spensible FOR this eapEtcteyg AhSathting.
and a word in the l~lattaEgfls q would
put matters right agsafn BY the. next
meal. Haslam turned HIS attention to
the courses. making amends in that
way for h absence Of his friendly
neighbors.
After dinner he spied Mr.. Archer's
broad back occupying a basket-chair or
the veranda: he strolled up casually,
n tapped him on the shoulder.
Il missed O n your daughter at
dinner. Beastly a manners of those
boarding house people showing o over
there among strangers!"
THE change was effected by my or
ders, sir"
Haslam stared in sone establishment.
The tone Of the voice was ~studiously
polite.
"Ah, I see, the draught! They are too
fond Of keeping all the windows open.
Think I shall get them to move me as
WELL"
I'm sorry to have to speak so plain
ly, Mr.. Haslam, but the object in our
alteration of table was to put a dis
lance between yourself and. U.S."
Had Haslam possibly heard Alright!
His eyebros!s went up, his mouth
dropped. He was quite speeches.
with surprise.
You are, Of course aware or the
grounds we had for wishing a separa-
tion?" continued Ebenezer Archer.
II assure you-no!"
"A little incident that occurred today
made it desirable" N
Haslam cudgeled his brains in vain
Il dont knoW in the least to what
| you refer"
"Ah, you have forgotten that affai,
o. the ring"
The other started. Had that bathing
man. through very denseness, bunglet
In his story? Or. had he. disappointed
in receiving no reward erich men are
usually the meanest), deliberately con
But whatever had happened. Haslan
determined to carry of matters with 8
high hand
Good gracious, Mr.. Archer, yor
don't suspect me Of having stolen 1t
do your"
Ebenezer Archer's reply was per.
plexing-he broke into a loud and pro.
tracted laugh.
Haslam giared at him. BY luck the,
were the only persons out on.the yer.
anda, blu it was perfectly CALLING tx
be laughed at even alone in such 6
fashion.
Il cannot see any humor in the at.
fair, Mr.. Archer"
Forgive me-! I have a very strong
sense of the ridiculous. No, you didn'
steal my ring, but you found 1t in you
pocket. and not wishing to come undo!
suspicion employed a third,party to re
turn it to me, didn't you?"
MIR. Archer, I decline to-
ooh. there's nc occasion! How yo1
must admire my powers OF clairvoy
ance. But it's all as simple as A, B, G
My daughter and myself wished t,
make up our minds about you. 70,
showed yourself SO persistent in you,
attentions to Murief that, as her father
I wanted to know something OF you
character. 1 decided to adopt a litt1'
ruse to put YOU TO the test. w