Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1912-03-14
being m artist. poor and having lived


in Rome. knowing the value of the
ring. had yielded TO temptation TO
possess it, then had relied on the char
acter Of the company not to push the
matter to disclosure.
The next afternoon while Miss Tro-
yer was preparing TO go out she was
surprised to receive a card bearing the
name Of Earle Huxford. She was
about to send an indignant mot at
home" when she abruptly changed her
mind and went down to receive the
visitor She walked into the room with
q look on her face 10 indicate that Mr..
Huxford under 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 infer that you consider me
thief. Such being the case, | will noe
attempt to remove the impression
bid you good morning.
The composed manner that accom-
panied the words changed that of the
lady. With 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 on her
feet.
"Do vow remember when we first
met in Florence. while I was copying
picture in the Pitt gallery?' lie asked.
Il 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 We
men but in this case ii is necessary.
That girl wished me for herself-why
/ 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 gore 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"
81 was not aware had rival"
Have | not just said that you had
not? Certainly not in the woman L
have mentioned"
eco on.
"Then when was able to do so, aft
err 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 20 know where that ring
isl"
She looked up at him inquiringIy. II
certainly do"
IF it has not been lost on the way
you win find il in one Of the folds of
the gown you wore at the dinner last
evening"
I'm mn costumeY'
YES in yours
"Why do you say that?"
Because ! saw it dropped there"
The girl stood as if stunned fol
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 l saw it placed there l should
have had TO accuse the person who
put it there, and 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 shep
''Aliss Sheldon"
MISS Sutluou4 w hdL ODJGCI hdu sic
to iDjure met"
"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 /
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 a convenient receptacle for stolen
property"
who is Miss Sheldon?"
zone you have dignifed with the
name Of rival"
There were n few moments of ST.
lence between Huxford and Miss Tro-
yer The explanation had appalled,
her Two emotions struggled within
her--horror at the act of the woman