The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-12-31

an alcove nursery. And there Nat told
her about the poor girl and her mother.
He had just finished his story, and Susie
was still wiping away the tears she had
shed over it, when the door opened, and
Albert came softly into the room. Susie
held up her finger for Nat to be quiet,
for she knew how Albert would torment
them if he found them together. The
heavy curtain hid them from view, but
they could peep through at the side and
see all that was going on in the, room
What was their surprise to see Albert,
after glancing timidly around, go quick
ly to the wardrobe, open it, and, taking
up Henry's purse, turn its contents into
his own, and then replacing the empty
purse upon the shelf, he left the room as
quietly as he had entered it. Nat and
Susie looked at each other, too much
amazed to speak for few minutes. Nat
was the first to break the silence. He
told Susie he felt sure Albert only want
ed to frighten Henry by making him
think some one had stolen his money.
$50 we won't say anything about it,
Susie" he said, "for he would be very
angry if We spoiled his fun"
The little girl was satisfied to believe
as Nat did, and after little talk about
it, they quite dismissed the subject from
their thoughts, and continued the work
Of remodeling the dolls costume, and
were very busy when the maid came for
Susie to go out with her mother. The
child went at once, leaving Nat to pick
up and put away all the things they had
been playing with. This he did, and
had just arranged them all carefully in
the bottom OF the wardrobe (Susie's
storehouse), and was closing the door,
when Henry came in hastily, and seeing
his cousin at the wardrobe, demanded
angrily what he was doing there, at the
same time pushing him away and fling
ing open the door. Putting his hand on
the shelf, he drew forth bis purse, and,
seeing it was empty, with cry Of rage,
he sprang at Nat, accusing him Of steal
his money.
Shaking himself free with a violent
effort, Nat declared his innocence; but
Henry scarcely listened to him, and
frantic with passion rushed down stairs
to inform his father of Mats crime.
Matte followed him a little anxiously,
though he could not doubt that Albert
would explain the matter after seeing
Henry sufficiently frightened. A per-
emptory call from his uncle greeted him
as he reached the foot of the stairs, and
with a little more color in his cheeks
than usual, he entered the library. He
was surprised to see there, not only his
uncle and Henry, but Albert and
Charles, and Susie and her mother, who
had stopped in the library on their way
to the carriage. All eyes were turned
on him, and he felt at once that his
uncle and aunt were ready to believe the
worst of him.
His uncle's voice was very stern as be
spoke:
"What have you done with Henry's
money, sirs How dare you touch itrl
Indeed, uncle, l did not take it, said
Nat, beginning to tremble little.
Don't deny it, sir; no one but you
could have taken it. Henry himself saw
you at the wardrobe" .
Nat glanced at Albert, who was look
ing out of the window.
"Nattie didn't take the money, papa," "
cried Susie. II know"
''Hush, SUSIE" interrupted her moth
er. "You know nothing about it. He
looks guilty, am sure, but of course he
won't confess"
ale shall confess it," cried Mr.. Har-
rison, cor he shall go to jail. Twill have
no thief in my house"
"Nattie isn't thief, is he, AlbertT'
persisted Susie, catching hold Of Albert's
arm, and trying to make him turn
round. -'.i' at'.
20, go away, Suep he exclaimed pet
tishly. "What do know about itf ]
dare say he is" "t.
Susie was about to speak again, when
her mother ordered her to be silent, and
taking her by the hand led her cut Of the
room, saying to her husbands
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