The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-05-07
THE MISSING
RING
A Dramatic Incident at a
Dinner Party
By MOLLIE x. wETHERELL


persons or whereabouts lady who had
recently returned from abroad wore
ON her finger a ring she had brought
from Rome. It had been found I'm dig
lging the foundation for house 10 be
ierected on the Via Cavour and. con-
sidering the depth at which 1t lay and
its workmanship, archaeologists placed
it as belonging TO the time OF Angus
tus Caesar The ring having been no.
tlced by some one sitting near her.
the lady took it of her finger. and Ii
was passed around the table for in
spectlon.
The curiosity that had belonged to
80 distant period and probably the
most interesting to modern European
races In history led to spirited dla-
logue on the conditions existing at the
Eternal City under Augustus, and the
ring was forgotten. Later its owner
asked for IL. Each person who had
held 1t looked at some one else at the
table. but no one produced the ring.
Several minutes passed, during which
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 it.
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. 4 suspicion therefore
arose among those present that ii had
been stolen by one OF their number.
This suspicion showed itself to
marked degree in the expressions of
those who held ii. The host, who sat
ut 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:
1T looks as though we had in our
midst a thief, and yet l 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 propose
that we each and all submit TO be
searched l will call in some one who
has not been In the room to do the
searching, one of my own family, who
will have no reason in screening OF
lconyicting any individual You have
heard my proposition. Let those who
are willing to submit to IL say Aye"
Every one Mt the table rose except
Earle Huxford, n young artist who had
passed his novltiate in Florence. Italy,
and had returned to America for
short stay. Those present looked ut
the young man in astonlshment.
"Mr. EuScord," said the host with
dllated nostrils and flashing eyes, do
you confess yourself theft"
mo"
'Then why do you object to clearing
this matter up?"
Il do not care to state my reasons"
Huxford sat toying with the stem of
a wineglass. Outwardly at least he
was cool. He did not meet the gaze
of those whose eyes were fixed upon
him, some with Indignation, some with
surprise and some with contempt.
There was short silence, after which
the host said to the others:
81 presume we shall be obliged to
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 l
shall send to friend In Rome, an
archaeologist, to procure me the best
substitute he can find that is purchas.
able at any price"
The lady replied that she did not
hold her host responsible for her loss,
but he insisted that he was RESPONSE
BILE and would make 1t good
Huxford arose from the table and.
looking at the host. said:
Under the circumstances must ask
your permission to withdraw"
Madame" said the host to the loser
OF the ring, 'is It your wish to call
upon the police to regain your ring?"
Certainly not; would not think of
such thing"
"Very well, Mr.. Huxford. You may
withdraw"
All eyes were fixed on Huxford. who
left the room without turning his back
to the company, making a slight incli- |
nation just before passing through the |
door. He left roomful of persons in |
huenced by different emotions. Some |
blamed the host for permitting him to
depart without attempting TO secure
the ring; some felt that he had acted
wisely, but no one expressed an opin-
lon. The episode was discussed I'm
general terms by the company all TAX.
Ing part except Miss Louise Troyer.
who seemed to have been stunned nv
IL, and Miss Kate Sheldon. who. though
she made no comment. showed I'm her
expression that she was much moved.
The question. do you believe him
guilty. passed around the table. Miss
Trovers reply was. IL can't under.
stand it, Miss Shedons was, 81 have
no opinion TO express In the natter
Nothing else than Huxfords guilt-
MS motives for taking the ring. his
consent to stand In the position OF n
thief IL innocent-was discussed for the
rest Of the evening. One gentleman. a