Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-03-09

on her finger ring she had brought
from Rome. It had been found in dig
ging the foundation for house to be
erected on the Via Cavour. and, con-
sidering the depth at which it lay and
its workmanship, archaeologists placed
it as belonging to the time of Angus
tus Caesar. The ring having been no.
ticed by some one sitting near her,
the lady took it off her finger. and 1t
was passed around the table for in
spection.
The curiosity that had belonged to
so distant period and probably the
most interesting to modern European
races in history led to spirited dia-
iogue on the conditions existing at the
Eternal City under Augustus, and the
ring was forgotten. Later its owner
asked for it. Each person who had
held it looked at some one else at the
table, but no one produced the ring.
Several minutes passed, during which
a search was being made among the
tableware, the brow Of the lady who
had submitted it for inspection mean
while darkening. The host, who also
looked anxious, arose and, asking the
guests to push their chairs back from
the table, looked carefully under dt,
but without success.
There had been no walters in the
room while the ring had been circu-
lated, for the dinner was over and the
coffee served. A suspicion therefore
arose among those present that it had
been stolen by one of their number.
This suspicion showed itself to
marked degree in the expressions Of
those who held 1t. The host, who sat
at one end Of the table, and the host
ess, who sat at the other, looked at
each other in dismay. There was in
the incident material for a first class
scandal. Then the host, evidently
much moved, said:
at looks as though we had in our
midst a thief, and yet I have perfect
confidence that such is not the case.
Nevertheless every person present is
under suspicion. That every one may
be cleared of that suspicion I propose
that we each ard all submit to be
searched. / will call in some one who
searching, one of my own family, who
will have no reason in screening or
convicting any individual. You have
! heard my proposition. Let those who
are willing to submit to it say Aye
Every one at the table rose except
Earle Huxford, a young artist who had
passed his novitiate in Florence, Italy,
and had returned to America for a
short stay. Those present looked at
the young man in establishment.
Mr.. Huxford," said the host with
dilated nostrils and flashing eyes, "dc
you confess yourself thiefT
mo"
"Then why do you object to clearing
this matter up?"
'I do not care to state my reasons"
Huxford sat toying with the stem OF
wineglass. Outwardly at least he
was cool. He did not meet the gaze
of those whose eyes were fixed upor
him, some with indignation, some witt
surprise and some with contempt
There was a short silence, after which
the host said to the others:
II presume we shall be obliged tt
take Mr. Huxford's action as proof Of
his guilt, though he virtually pleads
, not guilty." Then, turning to the lady
who had lost the ring, he added, 81
cannot replace your property, but
shall send to a friend in Rome, ar
: archaeologist, to procure me the bes
substitute he can find that is purchas
able at any price"
The lady. replied that she did no
hold her host responsible for her loss
but he insisted that he was responsi
BILE and would make it good
Huxford arose from the table and
: looking at the host said:
: Under the circumstances must asl
l. your permission to withdraw"
MADAME" said the host to the lose
J.! of the ring, sis it your wish to cal
{ upon the police to regain your ring"
a Certainly not; would not think o
such thing"
> VERY well. Mr.. Huxford. You ma
withdraw"
o All eyes were fixed on Huxford, VIII
:. left the room without turning his bac
o to the company, making a slight incl
a nation just before passing through til
II door. He left a roomful of persons il
: fluenced by different emotions. Som
blamed the host for permitting him
depart without attempting to secur
the ring; some felt that he had acte
wisely, but no one expressed an opil
ion. The episode was discussed
general terms by the company all tai
ing part except Miss Louise Trove
who seemed to have been stunned
1t, and Miss Kate Sheldon. who, thong
she made no comment, showed in ht
expression that she was much move
The question, do you believe hi
. guilty?" passed around the table. Mi
Troyer's reply was, II can't unde
3 stand it," Miss Sheldon's was. 81 hat
no opinion to express in the matter"
Nothing else than Huxford's guilt
his motives for taking the ring. b
consent 10 stand in the position Of
thief If innocent-was discussed for Il
o rest of the evening One gentleman,
lawyer by profession. proposed the
r. that net with more favor than al
other He suggested that Huxfor
being an artist. poor and having live
in Rome. knowing the value Of Il