The Elbert County tribune., 1909-02-11


in which one refers to those recently
removed by death.
Don't feel thar way about IT, said
Lord Wilfrid. reused at last: Il am
quite sure we will find 1t. Let's see
you sat here with Edith, and Graham
and Mr.. Blake Just below 1t might
have caught in the fringe of the shawl
Perhaps Mr.. Blake Will kindly
shake it."
Mr. Blake complied without result
Useless also was the ensuing search
OF the rocks, although they were gone
over inch by inch. the men lighting
matches to examine dark crevices
while we scrutinized the most i'm.
probable places and tried to peer into
the rapidly rising water
At last we gave 1t up and prepared
to gohome, each In turn assuring Eliz-
abeth that when morning came she
would surely find her ring. but never.
theless secretly convinced that 1t was
irrevocably gone.
I've had good time. barring the
last half hour" said Gordon Bennett,
as he took my shawl: have your"
II don't know what Elizabeth will
ever do without her ring" was my
evasive reply.
Give her another. The jewels youi
ship is bringing you are far more val
liable"
Nonsense" l Interrupted. Cant
you see that she is unhappy and wo
are all worried?"
Please don't worry" he said; to
morrow morning bright and early I'll
have another look at the rocks. I'm
rather a good prophet and something
tells me she will get it again. II
can't find 1t I'll get diver and see
what he can do. But don't think we
will need him, for when daylifA
comes it will probably be discovered
exactly where she dropped 1t. A...r
way. there is no use giving up thing
as lost until every possible means OF
finding it is exhausted. You won't
worry, will your"
These practical suggestions were
very cheering and | turned to repeat
them to Elizabeth. She was saying
goodnight to the Campbells, who had
decided to return to the hotel along
the shore. To my surprise | heard
Lady Edith also suggesting the serv-
ices of diver.
They are quite wonderful. you
know" she was saying. "aEd all sorts
of things have been recovered from
the ocean"
Yes" added Lord Wilfrid, I'VE will
all haYe another look tomorrow, and
If 1t is not to be found by daylight /
know Of an expert diver. However.
I'm sure when the tide goes out 1t will
be left among the rocks"
So by degrees our guests departed
and we returned to the cottage, rath-
er depressed and inclined to consider
the evening a failure
Mary Anne met us, holding the door
Hospitality open and smiling expan-
sively.
WELL she remarked. "and did you
ave good time? And didn't ave
a good supper?'
We told her about Elizabeth's loss
and she listened in silence. But her
ruddy face grew serious and her jaw
dropped, as we described our search
among the rocks and our theory that
the ring had dropped into the sea.
Lost, is it?" she said at last; don't
you fret. Miss Elizabeth. dear. know
them rocks inch by inch. and I'll ave
look meself, SO will. Jest go to
sleep and rest easy now"
We were glad to follow this sensible
advice. but l think we all were some
time in getting to sleep. found my
self thinking of Mrs. Graham, rather
than the lost ring. and wondering
vaguely why she did not like to bear
her husband sing The puzzle was too
much for me, and l was just slipping
INTO blissful state of unconscious
ness when 1 thought heard step
under my window.
CTO BE CONTINUED)