Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1875-01-13
18th each other, for they We're seldom

apart
Miss Berry always left the key with
my aunt, when the two rambled by
themselves, but to-day she carried ii
with her, and could see that my aunt
felt very much hurt.
AS soon as we had the opportunity
we searched every part of the house
where there was any possibility OF
finding the missing articles, but with,
out success. Miss Berry, who was
always disnifed, seemed colder than
ever towards my aunt and myself, and
the situation grew yer! uncomfortable
for all.
In proportion as Miss Berry grew
distant, However, Miss Betty became
more affectonate, especially towards
me. One day when we were sitting
alone in the parlor, | communicated
the news of the loss of the jewelry and
the handkerchief to her. For mo-
ment the color retreated from her face.
She glanced at me, a look of alarm in
her large, dark eyes.
81 wouldn't say anything, but, do
you know, / have missed several ari-
cles, too p she said. "How could a
thief possibly get in our rooms with
out waking us up?"
"You have lost something e | OK
claimed. "Was it anything very val
liable 2
"Not particularly so !" she made re-
ply "an old fashioned locket that had
my mothers hair in it, and a hand
kerchiet Of fine lace 0, I don't mind
the things much-sti'l it's not very
pleasant.
81 should say not" answered
hotly. "You must think you are in a
nest of thieves, We never missed a
pin before, and / should as soon think
Of stealing myself, as of accusing our
servants, the most honest creatures in
the void :
"You cunt always tell, was her re-
sponse, with peculiar smile. "But
pray don't worry about it perhaps
the things will all come to light. May
be there's a jackdaw about you know
they are great thieves. dare say we
shall find all the missing articles. l
am sorry for Miss Berry though, as
she told me her ring was an heirloom,
and very valuable"
SO we continued under cloud for
several days. 1t was on Thursday
that we had just left the dinner-tablc,
Miss Betty passing out of the room
with ME. We two had been sitting
longer than the rest, she wittily giving
her experience of boarding-houses she
had stayed at,
Aunt had been gone some time, but
as we left the threshold we both met
her, pale as a ghost, AMI a strangely
scared look on her face. Miss Betty
passed and caught me by my arm.
| said, "Why aunt, what is the mat
ter p
She only shook her head and turned
into room at her right.
"The good womanhas seena ghost,
said Miss Betty, with a strange laugh ;
but | noticed that she ran very hastily
up the stairs-in fact. | might say
rushed-and was soon ont of sight
When she had gone my aunt looked
out and beckoned to me.
My silver closet has been opened,
she said, under her breath, with a
false key, for found the lock unin.
jured."
"And has anything been taken :"
81 should think so | There were
nearly a thousand dollars in gold and
bank bills-just as your uncle left it to
me"
"That can't be gone !" | said, my
heart in my throat.
"Every cent Oft, and the few or
namentsI possessed-goldrings Johns
gold. .headed cane, and'-
80 aunt |" | lest my strength, and
pale and trembling sank into a seat
We were surrounded by mystery,
No one had left the house for weeks
together. We had kept up 4 vigilant
watch. We knew not who to osuspect
This money was the little all, besides
the house, and property, that my aunt
had. and in her old age she could il
afford to loose it. What should VIC
do ? thought and thought until my
brain fairly ached.
Suddenly remembered the way in
which Miss Betty rushed mp stairs, ant
though had then no suspicion of her