Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1916-04-11
Tale of a Lost
Engagement Ring
By ETHEL HOLMES

What do you mean, Clara, by as
sociating with that thief Ralph Cum
mings? Do you wish to be ostracised
by all your friends?"
A singular expression came over Miss
Rathbone's face, an expression that
cannot be described, though some idea
of it may be formed by an understand
ing of what caused it.
That thief, as you call him, is my
fiance"
your fiance?"
Yes, we will be married next month.
shall acquaint you with the story
attending Ralph's being considered a
thief, after which you will be able to
form an opinion of my reasons for
marrying a man so branded. You are
my sister and have a right to know
them"
why may not all the world know
them?"
THAT you will understand when
you have heard the story. When the
TOphams gave their house party the
episode occurred which branded Ralph
as thief. You We're not there; l was.
One afternoon all the automobiles on
the place were got out, and the whole
party was taken ON ride. l wore a
short astrakhan jacket with a pocket
on each side. OF course We We're plen-
tifully supplied with robes. When we
returned. before taking off our wraps
A int Il IN,
ing room to warm up as he expressed
it. We all gathered around the side
board and were warming up when a
servant stepped up to Aft and handed
him a little box that had come by eX-
press during his absence on the auto
ride. We all knew that Aft had been
attentive to Evelyn Mansfield. and one
Of the men very indelicately cried out:
Its the engagement ring. Let's
see it, Alf.'
calf opened the box and took out
ring set with a ruby between two dia-
mOnds. 1t was passed from one to an
other for inspection while the men con-
tinued to warm up. We spent some
fifteen or twenty minutes in the din
ing room. and when we were about to
separate Aft sang out:
"Who's got my ring?"
Every one looked at every one else,
but no one produced the ring. For
time it was supposed that it would be
forthcoming. but since it did not APP
pear Alf'S brOws began to knit. We
all joined in a search for it. on the
floor. under the furniture. The ring
was not found. The matter began to
look serious. Had some one of the
guests purloined it? Aft. being host.
Of course could not suggest such
thing. but his chum. Ned ThurstOn.
presently said:
81 offer myself to be searched, and
| daresay that all of you will volunteer
for the same thing"
Everybody volunteered except Ralph.
He said that he must demur to such
process. We were all supposed to be
ladies and gentlemen. and it would be
an insult to each and every one of us
to search us.
It took the part; some time to digest
what he had said. but the prevailing
opinion was against it. All settled the
matter by saying that he would rather
lose the ring than put an indignity on
any guest of his and forbade the
search. Nearly every one considered
Ralphs objection virtual admission
of guilt It was believed that he had
taken the ring. not foreseeng that he
would so soon be caught with it on his
person, and was obliged to choose be-
tween the course he took and full ex-
posture He did not wait to receive the
cold shoulder, but left during the after
noon.
The blow fell as hard on me as it
did on him. | had received nearly all
his attention while at the ToQhams,
and the announcement of our engage
ment was expected before the party
broke up. l didn't know what to do
or say in the matter so l took no
course whatever, declining to express
an opinion. But it was not pleasant
for me to remain after what had oc-
CURED. and L made al. excuse to go