The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-03-07
me. One day when we were sitting
siono in the parlor, ] communicated
tho loee of the iowelrv and tho hand .

siono in the parlor, communicated
the loss of the jewelry and the hand.
kerchief TO her. For a moment the
color retreated from her face. She
glanced at me, look of alarm in her
large dark eyes.
Il wouldn't say anything, but, Go
you know, have missed several
articles, also p she said. 'How could
thief possibly get in our rooms with
out waking us up?'
you have lost something?' I ex-
claimed, was it anything valuable?'
Not particularly so,' she made re-
ply; IAN old fashioned locket that had
my mothers hair in it, and a handker-
chief of fine lace. Oh, I don't mind
the things very much-still it's not
very pleasant
Il should say not answered, hot
ly. you must think you are in nest
of thieves. We never missed pill be-
fore, and 1 sould as soon think of
stealing myself as of accusing our
servants, the most honest creatures in
the world!'
You can't always tell,' was her re-
sponse, with peculiar smile. But
pray don't worry about it perhaps the
things will all come back to light.
Maybe there's a jackdaw about; you
know they are great thieves. 1 dare
say we will find all the missing articles.
I am sorry for Miss Berry, though, she
told me her ring was an heirloom, and
very valuable
So we continued under cloud for
several days. 1t was on a Thursday
that we had just left the dinner-table,
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 ghost, and a strangely
scared look on her face. Miss Betty
paused and caught me by the arm. 1
said:
why. aunt, what is the matter?'
She only shook her head and thrned
into room at her right.
| sThe good woman has seen ghost
said Miss Betty with a strange laugh !;
but noticed that she ran very hastily
up the stairs; in fact, 1 might say
| sh nf os rh
When she had gone my aunt looked
out and beconed at 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 thousand dollars in gold and
bank bills-just as your uncle left it
to me-
sThat can't be egonei' I said, my heart
in my throat.
Every cent of it, and the few orna-
ments l possessed-gold rings, Johns
gold-headed cane, and
oh, auntP
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 vigilant watch. We
knew not who to suspect. This money
was the little all, besides the house and
property, that my aunt had, and in her
old age she could ill afford to lose it.
What should we do? 1 thought and
thought, until my brain fairly ached.
| Suddenly remembered the way in
which Miss Betty rushed up stairs, and
though had no suspicion of her, yet
the thought kept recurring to me, and
troubled me. That afternoon Miss
Betty walked out by herself.
Il 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 a
yellowish looking missive-' and l am
sorry to say it contains bad news she
said.
sat just outslde the hall where /
could hear all that was said.
Bad news! Dear mop CALCULATED
Miss Berry, in her quiet way; hope
I shall get no bad news to-day
Poor Uncle Russell is in great af.
aiction, and sends for me. Mrs. Rus
sell is very i'll /; don't believe she can
live if she has one of her spells they
are awful
She did not sec 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 countenance. L,
almost said, Il have deceived the
whole of you.' From that moment
: was afraid of the woman,
Il am sorry to be obliged to leave
Tomorrow she said, as we fingered
at the supper-table.
Miss Berry's forehead grew dark.
1 am sure 1 don't know what shall
) de- she said, don't think the house
is safe as l am over my nervous head
ache shall also get ready to go.'
} Said to my aunt as soon as we two
were together:
L don't believe that girl belongs te
DIR. Russell's family and then told
her of my sudden suspicious, adding
} Now have formed plan which
think will at least set our minds at res
about her. Giye me five dollars and
: will bring you home the news
: She gave me the money, and threw
. on my hat. Miss Berry and Mis-
I Bstty were sitting on the veranda.