The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-03-07
MY AUNTS SUMMER
BOARDERS.

bUAhU6hSs
My aunt came downstairs one morn
ing greatly excited. Louis, step here
q moment she sald.
I followed her into q small recep-
tion-room with some anxiety, for l
knew by the palor Of her face, by the
united, the absence of care
in her toilet, that something unsual
had recently happened.
Louis, what am I to think p she
asked, as seated myself beside her.
MISS Berry came to me last Thursday
morning; let me see'-she referred to
her tablets-'yes, it was Thursday,
and told me that she missed he gold
necklace with the jet and gold cross.
1 said nothing to you about it, though
it worried me very much. This morn
ing she cannot find her diamond ring,
though she is sure she put it in her
jewel.box last night; and she says a
costly lace handkerchief is also miss
ing. What are we to think +? OF course
the servants could not get across to her
room in the night. How could sus-
pect either Barbara or Hannah? ]
could as soon accuse YOU
A chain and cross, diamond ring,
and valuable lace handkerchief-the
idea of such loss nearly took my
breath away Miss Berry was one o1
my aunt's summer boarders. She wal
q Southern woman of good family
and had spent two summers with us
Her health being so delicate that sht
did not like to room by herself, sh.
had hinted that another inmate, il
whom we had confidence, would b,
agreeable to her. So when, in early
June, letter came to us, purportinl
to be from DR.. Russell, an old frienG
Of my aunt, asking if we would &C.
commodate his niece, aunty was very
glad of the opportunity, and had oul
large. best reom arranged for the occu
pancy of two.
Miss Berry was quiet little woman
of some twenty-six or seven years
She had been very pretty, but i'll
health and disappointment in early
life had given her q faded and sad ex
preston. She was quite wealthy il
her own right, and though not follow
ing the fashion to it's full extent, sht
always looked very stylish and lady.
like.
Miss Betty Willis, the other boardeI
niece of DR.. Russell, of whom sh,
talked great deal-was the exact op
posite Of miss Berry. She was hand
some, tall, dashing, and very brilliant
I had not been impressed in her favor
but aunt Joe and Miss Berry both ad
mired her. She brought with her {
very elegant Saratoga trunk, filled
with an abundance of beautiful dress
es.
wondered more than once why this
handsome young girl wished to boari
in SO retired country place. To b,
sure, it was one of the most beautiful
locations in the State. There wer,
mountain views, lake views, and love
ly stretches of varigated landscape
Aunt Joe was of a social, happy nature
aud always had more or less youns
company. Still, l always thought j
singular Miss Betty did not join som'
party among her numerous frien6s
and spend her summer at q fashionab',
watering-place. We two, aunt and l
talked the matter over, but came to nc
conclusion. 1t was not to be disputed
that Miss Berry had lost her valuable
and she was person to whom any los
was q serious one; yet she had prom
ised my aunt to say nothing about i
for q time.
What were we to do? Our serv
ants had been with them for years, ON
from her childhood, and we would no
suspect either of them. There was n
one else in the house save Miss Berr.
and Miss Betty, both of whom had be
come, seemingly, very much in low
with each other, for they were seldom
apart. Miss Berry always left the ke
with my aunt when the two ramble
by themselves. but to-day she carrie
it with her, and could see that m
aunt felt very much hurt.
AS soon as we had the opportunit
we searched every part of the hous
where there was any possibility {
finding the missing articles, but will
out success. Miss Berry, who was q
ways dignified, seemed colder than e,
er to aunt and myself, and the stu,
ton grew very uncomfortable for al
In proportion ~ Miss Berry gre
tdistant, however, Mics Betty becau
(more anectionats, especially towAl