was in excellent spirits. He had effected his purpose, and got off scot free. He walked briskly away fro

contained only ten dollars,

gular imposition. It wasn't worth taking. Here I am, stranded in the country, and my ticket of no value, for only t

conjured up tickled his fancy, and he laughed heartily. But his merriment was sho

least. I must have dropped it into that fellow's pocket when I took his wallet. That's

e seemed little hope of his recovering the ring, for he

vering the ring from him. He is a countryman and I can frighten him into giving it to me. The worst of it is, the ring is no

t to the numerous whims and caprices of her relative, but two years since had been repaid by a legacy. Ever since Miss Marden had been looking about for a suitable matrimonial partner. There were some difficulties in the way, for she was thin, long-nosed, and with a yellow complexion. Three impecunious bachelo

in some mysterious business about which he did not speak definitely, except that it required him to travel constantly. Matters progressed unt

aid cautiously, "I shall e

e," said Morris, "but I shal

rl younger and fair,"

, as he bent over her hand and kissed it with se

no longer in my first youth. I sh

rs older last wee

said the spinster, "but I

thought of that investment I spoke to you about? I can get a hundred shares of mining stock for y

my aunt lost money in mining stocks,

lf. "I assure you, Josephine, this is a ch

ted in it yours

is, glibly, "I have a hu

elieved her suitor to be a man of me

r sake it will prove

hance to make her open her purse strings. She has

r the loss of the ring. He would have kept away, but he had promised to cal

e room when she discover

the ring, Ferdinand?

miss it," he replie

asked Miss Hard

hought Morris. "I suppose I

t was stolen from me on an Erie

? What could you be th

expert these fellows

certainly ou

ple," returned the spinster, "to allow a man to st

e was such a good imitation, that I was positively taken in.

stole th

There was no one else n

it off your finger wi

ep the ring was taken. After he had got it he got out at s

d with your explan

o say you doubt m

or that ring at a jewel

like losing s

loss, as you g

our engagement was broken

breaking the engagement? You do

ch, Ferdinand?" said the spi

es me very unhappy to hav

mit that you wer

but the man loo

ou shall ever m

e may be in an

erdinand. If you don't succeed I shall

my best," s

e sharper, Ferdinand. No

ght Morris. "It would be rathe

" thought Morris as he left the house. "If I do I'll

instantly recognized the tall, rustic figure and slouching walk of Joshua Bascom. He paused a moment in inde

aid in tone of authority, "I