Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882* Excerpt:...kind," said the major. "It must be so. If she had stolen it, she certainly would not have worn it in your presence this evening. It is absurd to suppose such a thing. Taking this theory--" "Hang theorizing!" exclaimed the major, seeing the force of this suggestion, but more angry that he was driven to admit it to his own mind. "She is a thief, and as sure as I live she shall either confess, tell how she got the jewel or go to prison." "And as sure as I live," said the doctor, grown indignant and serious, " I will unravel this mystery and clear this innocent girl of this most infamous and wicked imputation." "Do it if you can!" said the major, and turned his back upon him contemptuously. The doctor left the house, and the company dispersed, eager gossips, all of them, to tell the story far and wide throughout the community before to-morrow's noon. "When Mary had revived and told, in broken words, the iStory of her misery and disgrace, her mother soothed and comforted her with the assurance that she should never leave her again; and while she denounced Major Newton's conduct bitterly, she said he would find that he had made a mistake and would clear her of the charge. "But he will not find it out, mother." ""Why? Where did you get the brooch, Mary?" "Do not ask me, mother; I cannot, cannot tell you." "Had you merely picked it up and put it on in jest?" "No, no," said Mary, "it was given to me, I cannot tell by whom, and I thought it was mine. It was cruel, cruel!" and her tears came again. "And who was it that did so vile a thing?" asked her mother. "Mother, I cannot tell even you that." "But, Mary, t...