The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1871-07-20

aud I have loved them So Merciful
Father, how could they!'
BY degrees | succeeded 10 getting
at tho whole story.
Little Fred was Mr. Dommius's
grandson, and little Fred's papa was q
widowor, aud Miss Hastings was EN-.
ploycd to take exclusive charge of the
widower's little son.
"But who is she :" | asked with a
sbuddor. The woman who always
dresses in white, with cberry-scarlct
trimmings p
" Then you have seen her 2" she
inquired looking up quickly.
Yes, have seen her. What re-
lation is she to the Dcmmings ?"
"Mr. Dsmmings is her great uncle,
aud has had tho care of her education
She has been in Europe for the last
three years, travelling with a distin-
guished professor aud his wifc. II
seems that Mr.. Demming has had
charge Of some jewels which were left
in trust for her until she should be-
como Of age. The day Of her arrival
hc brought them home from the safe
1T the Office, to sco how shc would
like the jewels tcsot, intending to
have them ready for her at the expi-
ration Of tho time. which was only
three months. F)r the last two days
they have all bean consulting about il,
and yesterday they waited my opinion
and when tald what they desired OF
mo, this is what Mr.. D-mming said ,
" Now let's her what little Lottic sug-
gests." lie always called inc "Lottic'
from the moment Of my entering the
house. laughed, and said /: Little
Lottie thinks that If she owned these
jewels she should be very careful how
she let them lie around the house
long,"
"'That's so," said grandpapa DEM
ming. "But | have little tuck-away
corner wherc they are safe enough ia
the daytime of course | don't leave
thom down here nights.
That's oil know about it," con-
tinued tho poor child, with fresh
burst OF tears. - Wo talked little
while about tho setting, and this
morning was told the dianionds wore
gone"
Where we're you,' asked, while
the family were at tea ?"
81 was at tea, also, she replied
" One Of our servants was quite i'll,
aud | wcot down long bctoro it was
time for the taa.bell to ring aud toast
cd some bread. Then Mrs, Demming
had lamc wrist, and she asked me
to pour the tca,'
"Did you leave tho dining room"
l inquired, for auy reason during
the tca-hour -
"Not for q moment"
What dress did you wear last
eveningY'
"This one" she replied, glancing
down at her black alapaca aud burst
log into tears.
"What is tho namo Of this niece ?"
"Clara Mason"
Aud you We re sure those were Ler
jewels :"
" Positive
What woul d induce . woman to
steal her own pr operty, l wondered
There mi sht be, / thought, some des-
perate re ason for obtaining possession
Of il before the specified time. Some
lover 10 the case II might be--or some
deb, of cripe, which she must cancel OF
have exposed. just then Mr.. Cleav-
land aud young Mr.. Demming were
announced.
81 can not see him. grosned the
heart.broken child. | eau not see
him."
But kaew il was best she should
aud 20 invited them 10 our private
sittiug-room. l found that the griej
was not oil hers. The young man''
70 CO bore traces Of deep suffering, auc
il was by the ut most effort that h'
could keep from breaking down AS he
greeted her.
"Lottie,'' said he, "you know ! de-
not believe this horrid story. know
you as. woll as you snow youlself,-
Father don't bell eve it either but oI
course he doseu't know what to dc
with ClAra's story.
"Whst is her story p I inquired.
"Oh," he replied YEARLY, "Clara
swears that last evening about niD'
o'clock, as she was passing along the
hall ON her way to her room, the ball
door stsalthily opened, and that LOtti