Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-03-08
The Daily Story
THE LOST RING-BY REGINALD D. HAVEN.
Copyrighted. 1918. Associated Literary

cts in the suit | had worn the night
before The ring was in none OF them.
The stupidity Of my action in taking
the ring and not producing it at once
now rushed upon me, filling me with
wonder. |. man twenty-six years
old. in full possession Of all my facul
ties. lawyer familiar with the dan
gers OF placing oneself in Il position
of suspicion Of having violated the law
TO have deliberately appropriated
valuable diamond ring and kept II In
my possession all night. made me doubt
but that | had been suddenly trans
formed into some one else and thai
person had been born Il fool.
But what should do? What could
do? should have gone to the host
at once and made n clean breast of IL
all. Had known what had occurred l
would have done so. but. though | 2p-
preciatCd the position l was in of lii
hility to be accused of stealing my
mind WAS largely occupied with my
responsibility for the lost property and
having to spend a large sum to replace
it. We lawyers learn not to give away
eur cases by precipitate action. and |
went down TO breakfast determined 10
keep my own counsel till the proper
moment
Ed Darby was or hand. and instead
OF greeting me cheerily he barely
spoke to me. Marjorie. who sat op.
poSite To me. tried TO greet me as usual,
but seemed constrained and looked
troubled. The meal passed with very
little said by any one. Darby appear
ed to be striving to be CHEEKY 10 the
others, hut took no notice OF me. !
don't know how l appeared. but have
no doubt that | made splendid pie
ture OF a convicted thief. though any
braCing up on my part under n clear
conscience was doubtless taken by
those who knew what happened for
callOusneSs in crime
| made up my mind that as soon as
breakfast was over | would so to Oar
by and have a talk with him in order
to fird out what had developed, but he
forestalled me as soon aS we left the
dining room and were alone together,
beckoning me to follow him. He took
locked it Then for the first time he
gave way 10 his feelings. He opened
on me by saying that he had been con
founded by proving cOncluSively that
man he had considered his friend was
common thief. Then he told me that
during the night Il detective had enter
/ ed mine and other rooms and had
/ found n valuable ring that belonged to
/ one Of his guests in my vest pocket
NV professional habit led me, now
/ that the worst was known, TO proceed
deliberately. asked him how many
OF the party knew what Ind occurred,
and he said most Of them had heard
/ of il and the rest would learn about
| il at once from those who knew.
assured him that | was innocent but
would like little time to prepare my
defense To this he replied that |
could have as long rs | wanted. for in
any event | would not DO prosecuted
under the law | would only suffer IL
the opinion Of those present. since he
would exact Il promise from all to re
frain from speaking Of it.
Realizing that my only defense was
the story of my tnkinG and keeping
the ring as have told il here, | asked
Darby to assemble his guests in the
drawing room and | would make my
explanation He did so. and | made rs
good an effort as | am capable Of
making Indeed. doubt If could have
made as good one in favor of a client
under the same circumstances The
effect on my hearers was like playing
on different musical Instruments some
will give out harmonious strains: 9th
ers are irresponsible to the touch. send
ing back discords But the response
that burst upon me like the tones of
an organ on an Easter morning was
given me by Marjorie. When | con
cIuded with the words. "With this |
must leave each and all at you still 10
believe me an honorable man or n
thief" she advanced from the far end
Of the room. where she had taken posi-
ton screened 10y others. moved direct
ly toward me and put Out her hand
From the moment decided upon my
course till this action Of MarjOrie's |
had felt hardened To hear what was
in store for me When felt the pres
sure of her hand and looked into her
confiding eyes.
She had turned the scale in my favor
Those who believed my story rsst fol
lowed her example ana drew in their
wake those who did not. and the Opin
ion soon became unanimous | had
made up my mind. whatever the result
would be. to leave ut once. But every
one present gathered round me and
begged me TO remain But not till they
sent Marjorie TO me To add her infu-
ence to theirs did | consent.
On Easter morning we all attended
divine service together. and think the
incident IN whicn had been the priu-
ciral actor added fervor to our de.
voiions The case differed somewhat
from the teachings Of the church in
that. instead Of there having been some.
thing to he forgiven. there was some.
thing 10 be believed The latter may
not occur as often rs the former. but
1t is none the less divine.