The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1874-05-07

hinsf,f to attend to his books, some.
how. the thought that Carrie had
locked sc netting away that he wa:
not to see troubled him, although he
weuld not have acknowledged the
fact even oh him. At noon, on ell
tering the dining room, he did no,
find Carrie in her usual place; the
parlor, also was vacant; SO he passed
quietly up the stairs, and along the
hall, until he came to their sleeping
room. just as he opened the door
he heard key turn lock, ana no.
Itiesd that hisswifc started quickly
from the bureau, and, making an cx-
cuse about dinner, hastily quilted the
rooH.
rom walked directly to the bureau,
and gazed long and earnestly at the
forbidden draw.
What in The world can Carrie
have in there? he soliloquized.- -
There can surely be no harm inlool
ing, tor she should lave no secre,
from me. LII try if any Of my keys
will fit.
Suting the action to the word, a
large bunch OF keys was taken from
his pocket, and each IN turn tired;
but mono Of them would fit, and, as
Carrie announced dinner, lie was
obliged to leave the mystery TN.
solved, though he had determined,
sooner or later, to know what that
drawer contained.
Several days passed, ana with
each succeeding one his anxiety to
tathom the mystery increased, un;il
he heard, with joy, CarrIc's annsuno.
ment that she was going to epens,
the afternoon and evening at her
mothers,
Fortune faYors inc, through Tom
Tor surely Shall have an opportunity
OF finding out What Carrie keeps
locked away so closely in that bu
reau.
His thoughts often wandered from
bis bushes, during the afternoon and
he hailed with joy the hour for re-
turning home After eating a hasty
suppei, he betooll himself to his
room. yowlse lhat IL III not
leave /. again until be ~ ~ = learned
what was concealed in the drawer
Having tried all his keys, and find
ing them all too lafee'"r too small,
he bad hit upon plan by which he
hoped TO accomplished his purpose
without unlocking the draw, The
bureau being an OH fashioned, arti.
Gle Of furniture, the top, IN
stead of being fastened raised
on hinges. SO Tom. who hal
thought of this, took the vase Of
flowers. that Carrie had placed on
the bureau that morning, III bis right
hand with his lett, eautiousl Y raised
the top of the bureau; but no soon
CT had he raised the cover, enough
TO disclose the contents Of the draw
Grand leaned his head over to take
peep, tlan the most plteons cries
issued from the drawer, aud in
the instant the cover re
NAMED raised he discovered an infant
lying within the drawer, and crying
as Il It's heart would break. But
that one glance was enough. In his
astonishmont ho let fall the cover of
the bureau, which came crashing
down OH the vase III his hand, which
he had placed upon the corner TO
steady himself as he looked INTO the
drawn. The vase was broken into
dozen pieces, one of which inflicted
serious wound upon his hand.
He was so lost in amazement at
the sight he had seen, that he did
not notice his hand, from which the
blood was flowing, until Carrie ran
into the room, her eyes brimlull OF
iun and asked, in the most innocent
manner possible
How do you like the baby, Tom ?
Why, Carrie, l thought you were
al your mother's said Tom, looking
rather sheenish now that Carrie had
caught him.
Oh, no, Tom, | didn't dare 60 for
fear you would get into mischief.
But that baby will smother, Carrie,
in that drawer; whose is it, and why
did You put 1t there !?
| guess it isn't smothered yet,
Tom, and Carrie, at tho same tune
raising the cover of the bureau, and
taking out a big wax doll, all
dressed in long clothes, and looking
the baby to PERFECTION. You see,
Tom, l bought it as a present for
little Matte Ward, who is visiting
my little sister; put 1t thcro be-
cause I was determined to prove to
you that you possess quito as much
curiosity as do. l didn't go to
mothers TO day, Lut stayed at home