The Wilmington Daily Republican

The Lost Ring.

The great dry goods store was crowded, for it was bargain day and many special sales had been advertised.

A large, important looking woman, richly dressed, had managed, by a liberal use of her elbows, to get in the front row and attract the attention of a salesgirl, who stood as if bewildered at the commotion around her.

'Here, clerk!' she called loudly. 'A dozen of black, 6k, and be quick about it, too, as I don't want to be crushed to death by this vulgar crowd.'

The girl addressed, a slender, pretty blond, with aristocratic features, involuntarily drew herself up and opened her lips as if to reply to this rude speech, but remembering where she was closed her lips and turned to select the gloves.

'Will you try on a pair?'

'Of course I will, and do be careful you do not pinch my hand. You glove fitters are so clumsy.' And drawing off her glove the customer displayed a hand bedecked with glittering rings.

'I must ask you to remove your rings or I cannot properly fit you.' And the pretty clerk waited patiently until the rings were ostentatiously removed and laid in a shining heap on the counter.

After several unnecessary orders the gloves were fitted and done up and the buyer began to put on her rings. As she did so she gave a quick glance and cried out loudly:

'You have stolen one of my rings!'

The proud, disdainful look which had appeared on the young girl's face at the accusation gave way to one of anxiety as the woman loudly reiterated her charge.

'Indeed, madam, I did not touch your rings. You must have dropped it!' she cried. Running around in front of the counter, she began to search on the floor for the missing bauble, and many standing by helped in the search, but all in vain.

'You can't fool me,' declared the owner in positive tones. 'You took that ring, and you've got to return it or pay for it. You just come along to the office with me and be searched.' And, seizing the girl by the hand, she almost dragged her to the office.

Two gentlemen, one the proprietor, were in the office when the two women entered.

'This girl has stolen a diamond ring from me, Mr. Gifford,' announced the customer, relating the circumstance, 'and I want her searched.'

'Impossible, Mrs. Hardlos. I assure you that Miss—' began Mr. Gifford, but stopped at a sign from his companion.

'May I ask, madam,' said the gentleman in a cold, clear voice, 'if you are sure you removed the ring and placed it on the counter? Could it not perhaps have remained in the finger of your glove?'

The young clerk looked at the gentleman when he spoke for the first time since entering the office and turned very pale, then red again, so that to a suspicious mind she was the picture of guilt.

'That is impossible. Such a thing never occurred,' Mrs. Hardlos exclaimed angrily; but, taking up the glove she had worn, she gave an involuntary cry of surprise. The ring had indeed stuck in the glove finger and now sparkled maliciously as its owner pulled it out.

With profound apologies Mrs. Hardlos turned to the proprietor. He quietly motioned to the clerk to withdraw, but the gentleman who was with him laid a restraining hand on her arm.

'Do not go,' he said, 'until you have given this—this person an opportunity to apologize to you, as you are the only injured party,' he said decidedly.

'How dare you, sir? Who are you that you presume to dictate to me?' Mrs. Hardlos haughtily exclaimed.

The stranger handed her his card, and a marked change of expression was noticeable on Mrs. Hardlos' worldly features.

The name on the card was that of a man well known as a person of great wealth and influence, one whose acquaintance was eagerly sought by the most select. Besides this he was a bachelor and considered a great 'catch.'

'You are quite right, Mr. Jameson, but I will atone for my mistake. Here, my good girl, take this,' drawing out a $5 note ostentatiously, 'and call us even.'

If this was considered an apology in the eyes of Mrs. Hardlos, it did not pass for such in the eyes of her victim. With a gesture as haughty as any of her former accuser the girl refused the offered money, and turning to the proprietor asked if she might be excused.

With his permission she withdrew and was followed by Mr. Jameson, who hastily bade adieu to his friend and overtook her at the door. He spoke to her in low tones for a moment, then raised his hat and left her. The new clerk remained in her place until her week was up, then resigned the position.

About two months after the unfortunate affair of the ring Mrs. Hardlos received an invitation to a reception given in honor of Mr. Jameson and his bride.

Greatly pleased, she determined to attend and by every art in her power cause Mr. Jameson to forget her unkindness to the poor glove clerk and make friends with his wife, who would be a social power.

As she was led up to the bride and groom and looked at the former, a beautiful blond, dressed with elegant simplicity and radiant with happiness, it seemed to her that she had seen her before, but could not recall where.

She was enlightened a few moments later when she mentioned the fact to her.

'Yes,' replied the bride, 'you are quite right, Mrs. Hardlos. We have met before. It was at Mr. Gifford's glove counter the day you accused me of stealing your ring.

'Perhaps if you had known that I was only there for a week in payment of a foolish wager I had made with some friends you might have acted differently. But I hope you will remember, Mrs. Hardlos, that it is always safer and more humane to be sure of a theft before you accuse any one of being the thief. And remember, too, that a salesgirl, poor as she may be, has feelings as well as you have yourself.'

Then she politely turned her back upon the crestfallen Mrs. Hardlos, who quickly left the room, her hopes of forming an intimacy with the influential Mrs. Jameson having met with their deathblow.—Exchange.