The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1909-06-18
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downright 1908. by American Press Asso-
ciatiOn.l
The main incident Of this story was
given me for a fact
The loss Of Sophie Brooks engage
ment ring was a mystery. Less than
week after Clarence Howes had given
II to her she went to 81 one night
with it on her finger. and when she
woke up In the morning 1t 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. Winifred LoOmis. about her
own age. Sophie and Winifred were
the only persons sleeping on the floor
from which the ring had disappeared.
Winifred 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 ring
loss except Winifred had taken 1t of
her Cousins finger while the latter
silent But this did not account for
the open window. Besides. Winifred
was regarded by all who knew her as
an upright, conscientious girl.
As to the theory Of the theft by
servant, it was impossible, for the
doors leading from both Sophie's and
Winifred's room were locked and bolt
ed. though the two rooms communicate
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 TO
temptation to take it off 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 be enter upon Ninl-
fred's defense that Sophie took his ac-
ton for clew. II suddenly appeared
TO her that she had a rival i'm Wini-
fred that her rival could not endure
to see her wearing a ring on her finger
which had been given her by the MAJ
she CWinifred) loved, and this was her
motive for stealing il.
What we fear we are apt TO bring
TO pass. Howes was a 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 Dr.
which she suffered. lie questioned
Winifred closely upon every detail.
and one day Sophie came upon the
two unawares while engaged in an
animated conversation. SOphie's glance
nj the couple caused both to blush
She passed on without a word and the
result of the encounter was a new
complication. Sophie was now sure
Of her explanation Of the mystery and
was doubly sure that Wiuifred had
captured her lover
OF AN social conditions the most eX-
asperating is one involving things
known and not spoken. Howes knew
that be was suspected Of being on
terms with Winifred that were not ac-
ceptable to his fancee. 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 an 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-
cether by an irresistible power SYM
pathy I'm one. gratitude I'm the other
Howes received a brief note from
Sophie breaking her engagement with
out giving any reason. 1t drew color
TO his cheek and a fash TO his eye He
replied. accepting the situation with
out comment. Winifred remained B.
anIor of tho BROCK household Whv