Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-01-20


for the ruby ring on his finger and his
portion of the small sum raised by the
passengers Of the Mariposa he would
have landed In San Francisco utterly
penniless. AS it was his crew and he
became dependent on seamen's char
table institution. While others bad
talked and telephoned and promised
vague assistance, leaving the poor cast
aways shivering on the wharf In a cir
Gle Of newspaper men and photogra-
pliers, It was the Rev. John Thompson.
crisply English and bustlingly practi
cal, who descended on them. checked
Off their names In a notebook and led
them away like so many sheep.
After q night under this kindly but
somewhat austere roof Matt sneaked
away In the morning to try to pawn
his ring. He hated to part with 1t, yet
what else was he to do? He had not
even an overcoat, and here 1t was jan
uary and plercingly cold. He had moth
ing-not q toothbrush, not spare
shirt.
His chief preoccupation, however,
was more to avoid being cheated In
the disposal Of the ring, for, though he
had little knowledge Of jewels, the
stone seemed to him Of unusual fire
and purity and evidently was very val
liable.
He determined to pick out the big
gest and most fashionable jewelry
store and, explaining his position, ask
the favor Of their expert advice. They
might be obligng enough to tell him
what the gem was worth and thus
help him materially. Matt knew San
Francisco well and accordingly chose
snood g. Hargreaves for his objective.
His entrance, which he attempted to
make as inconspicuous as possible,
caused an undercurrent Of commotion
In this splendid establishment AS he
paused at a case Of napkin rings, nerv-
Ing himself for a further advance into
the glittering stronghold, he was
bumped into by passing gentleman,
and as he was receiving the apologies
Of the passing gentleman hand from
behind felt for possible revolver or
bomb in bis rear pocket 1t was all 30
quickly and coolly done that Matt had
hardly time to realize he was under
suspicion.
A large, imposing mirror gave him
the clew, for there, at full length, he
saw what a deeply tanned, wild haired,
ragged desperate he appeared and saw
also with the tail Of his eye q scurry
Of pale employees to guard the exits
and block his escape.
Flushing to the eyes, more with
shame than anger, and still closely fol-
lowed by the store detective, he made
his way to the nearest clerk.
CHAPTER u.
Tho Ruby Ring.
w AN Captain Broughton Of the
Ill shipwrecked schooner North
I'LL STAR" he explained. "An /
" had went down with my
ship except this ring, and / should
be glad to get some idea Of its value
so that the pawnbrokers can't cheat
me-"
"Its hardly in our line," snapped
the clerk. Expert valuation is a busi-
ness in Itself, and
The conversation was interrupted by
bald, oldish man, who, with an air
Of authority, demanded to know what
was the matter. On Its being explain
ed, he took up the ring, looked at 1t
with some surprise and asked Matt II
he belonged to the people that had
been rescued at sea by the mall
steamer.
"Yes," said Matt, smiling, "and
though appearances are against me,
am neither one Of the James brothers
nor a bandit"
The man thawed at this and request
ed Matt to step into his private office.
81 am Mr.. Snood," he said, 1.-THE man
aging partner Of this concern" AS
soon as they were inside the office and
seated, Mr.. Snood examined the ring
carefully.
"Where did you get this?" he asked
suddenly, raising his keen eyes To
Matts face.
1T was given to me-"
"Permit me to inquire by whom"
my employer-the gentleman whose
ship l lost"
"Why did he give 1t to your
"I was leaving his service. I had
been associated with him for years.