The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1878-02-02
The Thieving Beauty.
BY ANNIE II. JERdME.

"Yes," replied Mrs. Manvers, s,constrained-
ly, to my enthusiastic remark. eyes, she is
quite attractive" and instantly changed the
subject.
Attractive !" I echoed, stubbornly refus-
ing to follow my hostess lead, "why she is
perfectly angelic!"
"Yes," again returned the lady, with the
same strange constraint, 81 have house
full of guests with large claims to beanty,
but Miss Arlington certainly bears off the
palm"
At this / leaned forward and looked keen
ly in Mrs. Manver's eyes. Then said:
eve are old friends. Julia, tell me what
you are trying to hide. Why can't you be
your own earnest self about this charming
creature?"
She flushed deeply, and turned her eyes
uneasily away.
"Can it be-" l thought, "that Julia is
jealous of the girl on account of her own
young sisters?"
TIE unworthy thought was murdered as
soon as born, and the next minute Mrs.
Manvers' voice cofiined it.
"You are discreet" she said, in low tone,
the flush giving place TO look of distress; /;
81 cah, therefore, trust in you. Miss Arling-
ton is, l believe, a-thief"
AT first only gazed at her in speechless
horror. Then whispered slowly:
"a thiefv'
"Yes," she replied, sadly.
"And upon what do you base so serious q
charger" I presently asked, coming to my
senses little.
"The disappearance Of various articles,
such as jewelry, laces, embroideries, and
handkerchiefs, belonging to my sisters and
myself, which Miss Arlington greatly ad-
mired, and even had the audacity to inquire
about after their disappearance, looking the
while as innocent as the angel you call her."
"But may not the servants be guilty2"
asked.
"Miss Arlington alone had the opportuni-
ties to purloin the articles" replied my
friend.
"Have any of the guests missed such
things?" then inquired.
"No. A few adroitly put questions elicit
ed that fact without betraying my suspicious.
You see she has free access to the girls rooms
and mine, only"
sat buried in thought awhile, and then
looking up cried emphatically:
81 don't believe itn'
Mrs. Manvers smiled and shook her head.
"No," persisted, "there must be some
thing wrong elsewhere. Miss Arlington's
face is one to inspire trust, and trust it. l
shall, therefore, constitute myselfa detective
in this matter"
Again Mrs. Manvers shook her head, but
she added cordially:
81 wish you the best of success in your
kindly eiftrts. and shall truly sympathize
with you in the disappointment which am
well assured awaits you"
owe will see" l smiled in reply to her
closing prophecy.
Before the day closed l had commenced
my self-imposed task by seeking an inter
view with Regina Arlington. This was not
difficult. My deep interest, intense admira-
tion, and aiiectionate impulses possessed
their own secret sphere of attraction for her,
and in a few days we were quite inseparable,
notwithstanding my few years seniority.
But l confess, felt like wretch, whcn
one day made a tempting display of the
really handsome jewelry which from natural
distate, l rarely wore. Anything more
naive and winning than her open admira-
ton, never witnessed. And she startled,
ifnot shocked me, by saying; as she held a
shimmering diamond earring between her
slender fingers;
81 do think if anything on earth could
tempt me to steal, it would be such a bauble
as this. The love of beauty, with me, en-
braces not only great things but little ones.
A bit of Aimsy lace or dainty embroidery
has an inexpressible charm for me, and it's
positive fact that buy such things more
for the pleasure of looking at them, than for
use; and have some rare things of the
kind, Miss Robson"
And-with child-like eagerness-she ran
of, soon returning with an armlul of boxes,
which she hastily tumblcd on the bed
You see, I've no need to steal" she
laughed, merrily, as we examined them.
looked at her keenly, hut the lovely eyes
were brim full of fun, and as innocent in
their open gaze as year-old baby's.
was a good deal puzzled and determined
she should have every opportunity to APP
propriate anything of mine she desired
Nevertheless, felt mean and half guilty in
the matter, good as my motive was. But
that same night found ample excuse for
myself.
1t had long been my bad habit to lie awake
into the small hours and on the night in
question, was restless as usual, and lay