The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-11-07
MySteryofa aLOStRing

lCopyrtaht, 1yOS, by American Press hssO-
ciation.l
The main Incident of this story was
given me for a fact.
The loss Of Sophie Brooks engage
ment ring was mystery Less than a
week after Clarence Howes had given
1t to her she went to bed one night
with 1t on her finger, and when she
woke up in the morning It was gone.
The bedding was searched and shaken;
the bed was taken apart, but the ring
did not appear.
There was no evidence OF burglary
except that the sash of a window in
Sophie's room, which had been closed
when she went to bed, was found in
the morning raised.
The persons in the house besides the
servants were Sophie's father, mother,
a younger brother, aged ten, and her
cousin, Wmifred Loomis. about her
own age. sophie and Winifred were
the only persons sleeping on the floor
from which the ring had disappeared.
Wmifred was an orphan and had been
taken in for charity. She was study
ing to become a teacher. There was
no possible explanation Of the rings
loss except Winlfred had taken il Off
her cousins finger while the latter
slept. But this did not account for
the open window Besides, Winlfred
was regarded by all who knew her as
an upright, conscientious girl
As to the theory of the theft by a
servant, 1t was impossible, for the
doors leading from both Sophie's and
Wlnifreds room were locked and bolt
ed, though the two rooms communicat-
ed and the door between them was
open.
When Sophie told her lover of her
loss she intimated she believed that for
some unknown reason Winifred had
coveted the ring and had yielded 10 a
temptation to take 1t of her finger
while she slept Howes demonstrated
against throwing suspicion upon any
one without proof, especially Winifred,
whom all loved and respected. Indeed,
so earnestly did he enter upon Wini-
fred's defense that Sophie took his ac-
tlon for a clew. II suddenly appeared
to her that she had rival In Wini-
fred that her rival could not endure
to see her wearing ring on her finger
which had been given her by the man
she (Winifred) loved, and this was her
motive for stealing ii.
What we fear we are apt to bring
to pass. Howes was n manly fellow,
and the moment suspicion, which he
considered unjust, was thrown upon
Winifred he became interested In her
and In the solution of the mystery by
which she suffered. He questioned
Winifred closely upon every detail,
and one day Sophie came upon the
two unawares while engaged In an
animated conversation. Sophie's glance
at the couple caused both to blush.
She passed ON without word, and the
result of the encounter was new
complication. Sophie was now sure
of her explanation OF the mystery and
was doubly sure that Wlnifred had
captured her lover.
OF all social conditions the most ex-
asperating is one involving things
known and not spoken Howes knew
that he was suspected OF being on
terms with Winifred that were not ac-
ceptable TO his fiancec. Winifred knew
this and that she was suspected OF
having stolen the ring. Sophie knew
! that both the others were aware OF
these things, and yet all this knowl
edge was ignored between the trio
on the surface Howes and Sophie were
| lovers; under the surface Howes and
Winifred were fast being drawn to
gethcr by an Irresistible power. sym
pathy in one, gratitude in the other
Howes received brief note from
Sophie breaking her engagement with
out giving any reason. 1t drew colo
TO his cheek and a flash to his eye IL,
replied, accepting the situation with
out comment. Wmlfred remained 1
member Of the Brock household. VIII!
shouldn't she? No one had openly nc
cused her. No one treated her any diff
ferently than before the mystery. New
ertheless she lived wretched life
counting the days TIL she should b,
equipped to earn her own living.
One night she awoke suddenly from
sleep. The full moon was shining int,
the room, and by its light she saw he
cousin In her room standing before
mirror comblng her hair. Winlfre,
asked her what in the world she wa
doing that for. There was no reply
and in another moment Sophie pCsse,
Into her own room. There she threw
Iup window and leaned over the sill
looking out. Wlnifred. realizing Una
she had to deal with n sleepwalke
and not daring TO leave her at the win
dow, led her TO her bed. Sophie Ia
down without awakening, and Win
fred watched beside her.
/ While Wlnifred lay awake sh
thought The loss Of the ring must b
In some way connected with this SON
nambuhsm Might not her cousin hav
dropped the ring in the room or ou
the window? The next morning sh
revealed what she had seen. Sophie
Regarding the story as made up to eS