Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1912-12-25

possess TX. tben nae relleu on Tue s"at-
acter OF the company not TO push TIE
matter to disclosure.
The next afternoon while Miss Tro
yer was preparing to 20 out ste was
surprised 70 receive a card bearing the
name of Earle Huxford She was
about to send an indignant "h5s ~
home" when she abruptly changed nef
mind and went down 10 receive the
visitor. She walked into the room with
a look on her face TO Indicate that Ar
Huxford under a cloud was not an
acceptable acquaintance
"Lousser- be was beginning when
she stopped him.
Miss Trover. please
Huxfor,i's face changed 81 came
here for nm explanation From your
manner infer that you consider me
thief. such being the case. will not
attemp. to removestbe impression
bid you good morning
The composed manner that accom-
panied the words changed that Of the
lady. With q voice that trembled
slightiy 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 be continued
standing. she. too. remained on her
feet
~Do you remember when we first
met In Florence. while was copying
picture In the Pitt gallery" he asked
Il 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 have received from wo-
men. but In this case 1t is necessary.
That girl wished me for herself--why
| know not. for certainly had no re-
eiprocal 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, had never ex-
pressed any other except a friendly
feeling for her"
Il was not aware had a rival"
Have not just said that you had
ucts Certainly not In the woman !
have mentioned"
Go on
Then when was able 70 do so. aft
er our correspondence. followed yoa
here
He paused. seeming TO debate in his
mind lust what TO say aext: thea be
said abruptly:
You wish TO know where that ring
lsY"
She looked up at him inqniringiy. Z
certainly do
If il has not been lost on the way
you win end II in one Of the folds Of
the gown you wore at the dinner last
evening
In NY costnmeT'
YES. in yours
why do you say THAR
Because saw Il dropped there"
The girl stood as II stunned for
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
lions in confusion. but the one that
was growing predominant was a con-
scionsness Of 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 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 ii was there.
Since saw il placed there | should
have had to accuse the person who
put IL there. and question IL ] 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 shef'
Miss Sheldon"
"Miss Sheldon! What object had she
to injure mef''
~Your dinner companion had sat be-
tween you and her. but had moved TO
speak 10 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 I
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 IL was.
was convenient receptacle for stolen
property"
Who Is Miss She!donT'
Zone you have dlgnifed with the
name of rival"
There were a few moments of 81
lence between Huxford and Miss Tro-
yer. The explanation bad appalled,