Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-04-23

Aunt had been gone some time, bu
as we left the threshold we both me
her, pale as q ghost, and a strangel,
scared look on her face. Miss Bett!
paused and caught me by the arm.
said
"Why, aunt, what is the matter ?"
She only shook her head and turned
into room on the right.
''The good woman has seen ghost,
said Miss Betty, with a strange laugh
but noticed that she ran very hastily
up the stairs; in fact, might say rush
ed-and was soon out of sight. Wher
she had gone my aunt looked out ant
beckOned to me.
''My silver closet has been opened
she said, under her breath, with false
key, for found the lock uninjured.
"And has anything been taken ?'
II should think SO! There were
nearly thousand dollars in gold anC
bank bil1s-just as your uncle left it te
me.n
"That can't be gone!" I said, my
heart in my throat.
Every cent of it, and the few orna-
gold headed cane, and"
"Oh, aunt!"
L lost my strength, and pale and
trembling sank into seat. We were
surrounded by mystery. No one had left
the house for weeks together. We had
kept up q vigilant watch. We knew
the little all, besides the house and
property, that my aunt had, and in hel
old age she could ill afford to lose it,
hot ch 10 r
thought until my brain fairly ached.
Suddenly | remembered the way in
which Miss Betty rushed up stairs, and
though | then had no suspicion Of her
yet the fact kept recurring to me, and
walked cut by herself.
II went to the post-office," she said
coming in just before supper.
"Did you get letter?" asked Miss
Berry.
"Yes, indeed"-and she held up q
yellowish-looking missive-"an I am
sorry to say it contains bad news" she
added.
I sat just outside the hall where ]
could hear all that was said.
''Bad news? Dear mel" calculated
Miss Berry, in her quiet way; IT hope
I shall get ne bad news to-day"
"Poor Uncle Russell is in great Attic
ton, and sends for me. Mrs. Russell is
very ill; don't believe she can live il
she has one of her spells; they are aw-
ful.n
She did not see me as she came into
the hall, but saw her, and her face was
absolutely deformed with the smile and
strange look of triumph which changed
her counteAance. It almost said. 81
have deceived the whole of you" From
that moment I was afraid of the wo.
man.
II am so sorry to be obliged to leave
tomorrow" she said, as we fingered al
the supper table.
Miss Berry's forehead grew dark.
"I'm sure I don't know what I shall
do" she said.' "I don't think the heuss
is safe. AS am over my nervous head
ache, T shall also get ready to 60"
| Said to my aunt as soon as we toe
were together
II don't believe that girl belongs tx
DR.. Russell's family; and then told hel
Of my sudden suspicious, adding, NOV
I have formed q plan which think viii
at least set our minds at rest about her
Give me five dollars, and I will bring
you nome the news.
She gave me the money, and I threw
on my hat. Miss Berry and Miss Bett;
were sitting on the yePanda. ~
!.Going out in the moonlfght?" asket
Miss Betty, and there was curious
light in her eyes-she seemed trying t,
read my face. Suddenly she sprang I'D
"I've half a mind to go with you," sh,
said.
Are yoE afraid OF the measles ?"
asked, growing desperate. Because
am going where they have them.n.
"Yes, am.n she said, hesitated sn,
sat down. "Pray don't come near M
on your RETURN" she added, laughing
but yet there was restraint in he
voice.
| The telegraph operator was friend O
ours, and one Of his children had beel
very sick with the measles. / was gla,
in my heart that T had that excuse.
1t was seven o'clock when l reaches
| the office. knew DR.. Russell's address
and Immediately telegraphed-
"Yeur niece, Miss Bette Willis, tell
Us that that Mrs; faet Fgsssi ia dangerously i'll
i | waited at the office for answer.
came within thirty minutes.
No. I'll send a detective down earl
in the morning. I have no niece G
that name. Detain the woman"
I went home with the message. Mis-
Betty had gone to her room Miss Berr.
was lamenting to my aunt that she wa
to be left alone. 1 felt strangely-trem
bled from head to foot-but was caution
enough to hold my tongue, not eve
telling my auut more than that part G
the message.
I think did not sleep at all tina
night. ] felt q fear that Miss Bett
might now slip through our fingers.
was sure she suspected danger. He
trunk was packed the first thing in tn
morning. She wanted it sent to tn
station, but it was an hour before W
could find man to take j. stood 9
the window, almost crying, as it wa
, brought down to the lower hall. Th
next moment saw strange man, VIII
! felt must be o detective, enter th
house.
| can hardly tell what happened mex
Miss Berry had the Mysteries, and a
the stolen goods were paraded on til
parlor floor. Presently the house WE
cleared; Miss Betty had gone, and Mis-
Berry soon came to her senses.
Since then nothing can prevail upo
, my aunt to take summer boarders.-
Even Miss Berry has applied in vain.
ACT FROM PRINCIPLE.-How few pc
sons there are governed entirely frol
principle rather than inclination. Eve