Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1913-05-30

cratic persons, just as liable to look for
perpetrator of crime among those of
high as we'll as low degree.
Considering what was hanging over
me l slept soundly. The first thing
did in the morning was to 60 to the
vest that had hung ON the back OF a
chair the night before and put my
hand in the pocket to be sure the ring
was there. I was thunderstruck to
find 1t gone. Though I knew Just
where had placed II I felt In oil the
pockets of the vest and In all the peck
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 1t at once
now rushed upon me, filling me with
wonder. l, man twenty-six years
old, In full possession of all my facul-
ties, a lawyer familiar with the dan
gers Of placing oneself in q position
Of suspicion Of having violated the law,
to have deliberately appropriated a
valuable diamond ring and kept It In
my possession all night, made me doubt
but that l had been suddenly trans
formed into some one else and that
person had been born fool
But what should I dor What could
I dof I should have gone to the host
at once and made q clean breast of It
all Had known what had occurred
would have done 30, but, though l APP
preciated the position I was In Of la
bllity to be accused of stealing. my
mind was largely occupied with my
responsibility for the lost property and
having to spend large sum to replace
1t. We lawyers learn not to give away
eur cases by precipitate action, and
went down to breakfast determined to
keep my own counsel till the proper
moment.
Ed Darby was on 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 to the
others, but took no notice OF me.
don't know how I appeared, but have
no doubt that I made a splendid pic
ture Of a convicted thief. though any
bracing up on my part under 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 go to Oar
by and have a talk with him in order
to find out what had developed, but he
forestalled me as soon as we left the
dining room and were alone together.
reckoning me to follow him. He took
me to his bedroom, shut the door and
locked 1t. Then for the first time he
gave way to his feelings. He opened
on me by saying that he had been con
founded by proving conclusively that n
man he had considered his friend was
a common thief. Then he told me that
during the night detective Ind enter
cd mine and other rooms and had
found a valuable ring That belonged to
one Of his guests In my vest pocket
My professional habit led me, now |
that the worst was known. TO proceed |
deliberately. asked him how many |
Of the party knew what had occurred, |
and he said most of them had heard |
Of It and the rest would learn about |
It 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 as wanted, for In
any event I would not be prosecuted |
under the law. would only suffer In
the opinion of those present, since he
would exact a promise from all TO re
frain from speaking Of It.
Realizing that my only defense was
the story OF my taking and keeping
the ring Ms ! have told II here, asked
Darby to assemble his guests in the
drawing room and I would make my
explanation. He did 80. and ! made M
good an effort as | am capable of
making. Indeed, doubt II could hive
made as good one In favor OF client
under the same circumstances Tho
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 wns
given me by Marjorie. When I con
cluded with the words, with this
must leave each and all OF you still TO
believe me an honorable man or O
thief" she advanced from the far end
Of the room, where she had taken posi-
ton screened by 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 bear what was
in store for me. When felt the pres.
sure OF her hand and looked into her
connding eyes. despite all my will pow
or, my own eyes became moist.
She had turned the scale in my favor
Those who believed my story nrst fol
lowed her example and drew in thelr
wake those who did not, and the opin.
lon soon became unanimous. I had
made up my mind. whatever the result.
would be, TO leave at once. But every
'ne present gathered round me and
begged me to remain. But not TIL they
'ent Marjorie to me to add her infiu
'nce TO theirs did consent
On Easter morning we all attended
iivine service together. and think the
Incident In which I had been the prln
'ipal actor added fervor 10 our dc.
lotions. The case differed somewhat
rom tho teachings Of the church In u
hat. instead Of there having been some. :
hing to be forgiven. there was some
hing 10 be believed. The latter mny
inf occur aa nftan m tho (o,-vna, hrs |