The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-04-11

surprised to receive a card bearing the
name Of Earle Huxford. She was
about to send an indignant mot ut
home" when she abruptly changed her
mind and went down to receive the
visitor. She walked into the room with
a look on her face to indicate that Mr..
Huxford under a cloud was not an
acceptable acquaintance.
Louise he was beginning when
she stopped him.
Miss Trover, please"
Huxford's face changed. II came
here for an explanation. From your
manner l infer that you consider me Il
thief. Such being the case. l will not
attempt to remove the impression. |
bid you good morning"
The composed n that accom-
panied the words changed that of the
lady. With a voice that trembled
slightly she said:
Heaven knows how glad l would
be to hear proof Of your innocence"
She had not asked him to be seated.
and when he spoke again he continued
standing. She, too, remained IN her
feet.
"Do you remember when we first
met in Florence, while I vas copying a
picture in the Pitt gallery?" he asked.
II do"
"a young American lady had just
left me. You did not notice her, but
she noticed you. l do not relish speak
ing of favors I have received from wo-
men, but In this case it is necessary.
That girl wished me for herself-why
I know not, for I certainly had no re-
ciprocal desire on my part. She watch
ed you and me during your stay in
Florence and when you were gone re-
preached me for what she called de-
sorting her for you. l declared that,
far from DESERVING her, I had eve *
pressed any other except a friendly
feeling for her.
II was not aware l had a rival"
"Have l not just said that you had
not? Certainly not in the oma I
have mentioned"
eco on"
'Then when l was able to do so. aft
er our correspondence, l followed you
here"
He paused. seeming to debate in his
mind just what to say next; then he
said abruptly:
"YOu wish to know where that ring
ls?"
She looked up at him i%nquiringly. II
certainly do"
eff it has not been lost on the way
you will find it in n of the folds of
the gown you wore at the dinner last
evening"
"In my costume?"
"Yes, in yours.
"Why do you say that?"
Because l saw it dropped there"
The girl stood as if stunned for a
time, then suddenly ran out of the
room and upstairs. In a few minutes
she returned with the ring. On her
face were many thoughts and emo
tons in confusion, but the one that
was growing predominant was a con-
seriousness of a sacrifice having been
made to save her from a very trying
position.
"What did you mean.' she exclaimed
almost Indignantly, "by admitting that
you were a thief when you were-were
what were you trying to do any
way?"
"There were several things for me
to do. The first was to prevent your
being found with the ring in your
dress. You didn't know it was there.
Since 1 say it placed there l should
have had to accuse the person who
put it there, and l question If I would
have been believed. At any rate, the
motives of the person who sought to
vent her vindictiveness upon you
would have necessarily come out"
"WhO was she?"
"Aiss Sheldon"
"Miss Sheldon! What object had she
to injure me?"
"YOur dinner companion had sat be-
tween you and her, but had moved to
speak to another lady. Our host was
telling of an adventure he had had in
the Coliseum in Rome. All eyes were
turned on him. The ring was on the
table near Miss Sheldon. Though l
appeared to be watching the speaker.
half my glance was upon her. She.
too, pretended to be interested in what
was said. Presently she let fall her
hand on the ring. then lowered both
beneath the table. When she raised
her hand the ring was no in it. The
dress you wore. full of folds as it was,
was a convenient receptacle for stolen
property"
"Who is Miss S%heldon?"
Zone you have dignifed with the
name of rival"
There were q few moments Of 81.
lence between Huxford and Miss Tro-
ver The explanation had appalled,
her. Two emotions struggled within
h~er-horror at the act Of the woman
who had sought to ruin her and won
der and appreciation for the sacrifice
that had been made in her behalf.
Silently she moved toward the artist,
and he clasped her in his arms.
II have heard Of such women" said
Miss Trover presently, but I did not