Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-03-09
The Argus Daily Story
The Missing Ring-By Molhe K. Wetheren
Copyrighted. 1911. by Associated Literary Bureau

sne stopped nm.
Miss Trover, please"
Huxford's face changed IT can't
here for an explanation. From youi
manner infer that you consider me
thief. Such being the case. win MOI
attempt to remove the impression. ]
bid you coed morning"
The composed manner that accom-
panied the words changed that Of the
lady. With a voice that trembled
slightly she said:
Heaven knows how glad 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 on her
feet.
do you remember when we first
met In Florence. while I was copying
picture in the Pitt gaIleryT" he asked.
"I do"
"a young American lady had Just
left me. You did not notice her. but
she noticed you. do not relish speak
ing of favors have received from wo-
men, but in this case it is necessary.
4udl girl WASuCd DC lOL
1 know not, for 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. declared that,
far from deserving her. I had never ex'
pressed any other except a friendly
feeling for her"
81 was not aware I had a rival"
"Have 1 not Just said that you had
not? Certainly not in the woman
have mentioned"
go on"
"Then when I was able to do 80. aft
er our correspondence, 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
is?"
She looked up at him inquiringly. II
certainly do
eff it has not been lost on the way
you will find it in one of the folds Of
the gown you wore at the dinner last
evening"
I'm my costumeT
Eyes, in yours"
"Why do you say that?~
Because I saw it dropped there
The girl stood as If stunned for q
time. then suddenly ran out of the
room and upstairs. In 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 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
wayT
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 I saw it placed there l should
have had to accuse the person who
put it there, and 1 question If 1 would
have been believed. At any rate, the
| uOllNcS VI tue pcISOn VIM oOuSht "
vent her vindictiveness upon you
would have necessarily come out"
"Who was she?"
miss Sheldon"
''Miss Sheldonl 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 not in IL. The
dress you wore, full of folds as it was.
was convenient receptacle for stolen
property"
"Who is Miss SheldonT'
"One you have dignifled with the
name of rival"
There were a few moments OF ST.
! ituEc DclWccu I1uAAOih hloS Lip-
yer. The explanation had appalled,
her. Two emotions struggled within
her--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
: 81 have heard of such women" said
Miss Trover presently, but l did not
believe that they existed"
"You have proof in this that they
do"
"What is the next step In the
drama?'
ITO return the ring without an ex-
PLANTATION"
o without an explanation? In that
case you will not be indicated"
81 never can be indicated. When a
man is attacked by an INSCRIPTIONS
4 woman his only defense is silence"
Then, after a pause. she said: zone
d thing ! am glad of. / shall partake Of