"We'll go to New City, Ida," went on Cora with sudden resolve. "I
want to ask you a question."
"Yes," spoke Ida nervously.
"Did you lose anything at my party?" and Cora's thoughts were on the
diamond ring in the safe.
"No," replied Ida firmly.
"Didn't you, really?" insisted Cora, surprised that Ida would not
admit ownership of the ring.
"I--I didn't lose anything, Cora," and Cora wondered at the stress
Ida placed on the word "lose."
"Well, I have a secret to tell you. Jack did not want me to speak
of it, but I'm going to, for I'm just consumed with curiosity. Paul
Hastings found a beautiful diamond ring in his pocket after the
fete, and your initials were engraved in the gold."
Cora turned so as to look into Ida's face, and she could plainly see
that a change came over her countenance.
"Paul Hastings found it?" murmured Ida. "The ring with my initials
in?"
"Yes. Didn't you really lose it?"
For a moment Ida did not speak. She was biting her lips, and her
fingers were nervously playing with the fringe on the lap robe.
"Cora," she exclaimed impulsively, "I have been mean--hateful to
you--but--you have not deserved it. Sid Wilcox told me he had you
out riding, and he said you spoke of a lot of things about me--"
"What!" cried Cora.
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