The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-12-20
THE. LOST BANK NOTE.

THE LOST BANK NOTE.
u ssJannes, said Mrs. Garret, while sit
ting at breakfast one morning, 81 don't
like that new girl. have my suspicious
about her, 60 I
d "About Ann /" returned Mr.. Garret,
in surprise. "Why, it's only a few
days ago that / heard you boasting to
Mrs. Brenmer you had the best cook in
/ New York" +.
$50 she is good cook. I don't e1-
pect to get such another for twice the
wages. It is not about her work-she
does all that well-but I've no trust in
her, y C. = - = y - Is
"What has she done2"
"What has she done?" echoed the
lady, somewhat sharply. "Nothing, OF
course, or I'd soon send her packing |
2 But she's shy, and secret, and won't
tell me anything about herself and has
ridiculous airs abont sleeping alone,
and won't even allow Amanda inside her
bedroom door. There's something
wrong, depend. upon it. If there wasn't
q screw loose somewhere she wouldn't
be here for such low wages" Il e.
eff that's fault against her you can
raise them," suggested MIR. Garret.
.'e - There, James, you may as well go
to; your Office, if that's all you have to
say" cried the lady of the house. 4" But
mark my words, before you 60, I'll find
Ann Walker out before long,"
Mr.9Garft sighed as he rose TO de-
-part. He. we'll knew that remonstrance
would avail nothing, for Mrs. Carrots
prejudices were as the laws cf ths Medes
and Persians, that changeth not, 80 he
.ook himself off without, another word.
{ sGAmanda r. cried the lady, when left
alone, bring Horace up"
In response to this summons large,
slatternly girl Of eleven or twelve made
her. appearance from the basement,
with little boy in her arms, who made
snatch at an egg stand and knocked it
on the floor in passing the table.
"You awkward, careless gypsy !" cried
Mrs. Garret, with great spirit, "that's
the second thing you've broken this
3morning.2 Who do you think is going
to pay for all you destroy3 Come here,
Horace, love, and have nice piece OF
toast. What's Ann doing, Amanda 2"
"She's dressing the turkey, num-"
"Did she scour the front steps this
mornings"
eyes, mum; she got up at five
o'clock to do it,
$50 and tell her I expect her to
wash the drawing-room windows before
dinner"
"Upon my. word" muttered Mrs.
Garret, resentfully, as Amanda retired
to. carry her message, "Pl pull her
pride down for her bit. Must wash
the steps at five in the morning forsooth
lest folks see her ct all. III take that
out Of her." ..
In few minutes Ann came upto clear
the dishes off. She was tall and well
proportioned, about twenty years of age,
her face pale, refined in features, not
handsome, but singularly intelligent and
earnest in it's expression.
3 Shelooked little anxious and troubled
as she noiselessly arranged the room,
and when she was ready to 60, she said,
in very soft voice:
"May ask a favor, ma'am, that the
cleaning of the front windows be put off
till early in the morning2'
,"No," answered her mistress, ourtly,
81 want them done now."
2 81 don't wish to be seen by passors-
by" she urged, almost pleadipgly. "lt
is Of importance for me not to be seen
by-by some one who might know me. "
= :" You will obey my orders, girl, or
leave the house!" returned Mrs. Garret,
beginning to quiver with temper.
The servant courtesied and withdrew.
In few minutes she was at the win
dows, but in close sunbonnet, to Mrs.
Carrots unspeakable disgust.
81 think I can see through my lady, I"
was herin ward comment. "She's some
islbirti tue detectives are after. I'll lay
trap. sor. her, anl il she's not caught in
it, my penetration isn't much. %
from her sewing machine,
which she had heen busily plying in
MAST Horace's behalf, while her brain
as busily reyolved, she unlocked her
desk, took from it twenty dollar note,
carefully marked the number, and drop
pedyit, as ifsby accident, under the edge
\ of the table. q Then she cut andsbasted
some more work, making enough rub
bish about the floor to insure the ser.
wants having TO use her dustpan before
dinner. By the time this was accom-
plished she discovered little Horace and
"a the machine in such danger Of coming tc
. grief together that, first driving that in
nocent to the other side OF the room,
and then picking up her scattered shut
tie and reels, she called Ann up stairs tc
put the parlor to rights, and left the
room, taking Horace with her.
When MI. Garret came home to din
ner he saw by bis wiie's portentous face
that something dreadful had occurred
James," said she, .solemnly, "]
have found that girl out in a theft.
y"WhoaJ Amanda"
"Pshaw no. \ Your superior girl.
Ann. She has just helped herself te
twenty dollars of mine"
1T Good gracious !" cried Mr.. Garret
p pausingY in the aot OF carving the tur
= SYes; 1t was a twenty dollar nott
svhich-ahem-happened to fall out q
INV desk on the floor this forenoon.
was busy with Horace and so-ahem-
forgot to pick it up before I left ths
room : oWhenI came down to dinner :!
Instantly missed it, and the abandoned
sreaturs actually said she might have
ewept II: into the dustpan and burnt 1t
fortunately 7 have the number OF 1T
and after dinner you must SO immedl
ately and fetch policeman" 30
'"TBewilderod,1 y though. far from con
,syinced by the proofs OF Anns guh'
''' as s1s : no