The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-03-14

But Albert had stubbornly refused
TO explain matters.
Mary had Immediately removed her
ring, and overcome by childish anger,
had thrown it upon the floor, declaring
their engagement at an end, after
which she had dramatically founced
out of the room.
The following day Albert had come
to her begging her 20 trust him and
reconsider her hasty decision. When
She had refused TO do this, Albert had
angrily demanded back is ring. Mary
and twitted him with having already
taken it, since she had been unable
to find it after his departure She pre-
vious day. while he charged her with
purposely retaining it.
They had parted in bitter anger.
business had taken Albert from the
town, while Mary had gone abroad
soon after her uncle's death.
Suddenly Mary found herself look
ing down at the floor. 1T fell here
by this table, but might have rolled
in any direction" she said half aloud.
Il never really thought Albert took it"
She bent down and scanned the floor
lntently. Then she Strengthened up
with little laugh. How silly il was
Tor her to expect to find that ring.
mere had been plenty of people about
before her uncle's death-and after
who might have picked il up.
All at once Mary was startled by the
sound of footsteps in the hall outside.
She remembered the unlocked door.
and her heart began to beat furiously.
For the first time in her life she was
thoroughly frightened.
lnSunctiveiy she looked about for
some place of concealment. There
was no chance of escaping, for the
only door was the one opening into
the hall, while the windows were Sc
curely nailed down.
Panic-stricken, Mary glided behind
a couch near which she had been
standing, and crouched low.
The man-from She heaviness of his
footsteps she knew it was a man.
though she dared not look to see for
fear OF revealing her presence to him
entered the room, and began walk
Ing to and fro, moving the furniture
as If searching for something.
Mary repressed a cry OF fear when
he finally approached the couch. But
ne did not attempt to move the heavy
pItCe OF furniture.
Next she heard a peculiar sound
and, fiattening herself upon the floor
she took surreptitious peep from be-
meath the couch, running the risk of
immediate discovery, for the man was
on his hands and knees not far from
che couch; his face, fortunately, was
turned from her.
He must be insane" Mary thought
Wildly as she shrank back instructive
ly. "A thief would never act like
that"
In the act of drawing back her eyes
caught a glimpse of a cleaning OBJ
1ect 1ucked up close against the leg
OF the couch where it had lain undis-
covered through many perfunctory
sweepings. Plainly others besides the
strange man had not taken the trouble
to move the couch.
1mpulsively, Mary stretched forth
her hand and grasped the tiny object.
instantly a mans strong fingers closed
ABOUT her wrist and she felt herself
growing faint with terror.
Who are you and what are You
doing here?" the man demanded stern
~.
Mary's heart gave a violent bound
She rose from her cramped position
and came forth meekly, rumpled
dust-colored object.
Mary" the man gasped incredu-
tously. Then he gathered her to him
In a close embrace.
Here's your ring. Albert Mary
murmured several minutes later. you
were searching for it, weren't your"
Thas wretched ring" Albert burst
forth vehemently. eff it hadn't been
for that and my abominable pride we
might have been happy long ago. You