The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-10-22

this to be good excuse tor sending her
home.
"Mrs. Rogers tried tc stem the tide Of
public opinion as best she could, but she
could not deny facts, and in three days
Alice had hidden us farewell which
seemed to me to be perfectly tragic, for
she went away from Burtnet in this cloud
of disgrace. ,...
''It was long time ago, yet remem-
Der as If it were yesterday all the effects
of that fortnight; the void Alice's alb
sence caused; our dizziness without her
CHEEKY voice and gay laugh, Miss Len
ncx's nervous irritability the girls per-
petual reference to the subject, and CON
lectures, which Miss Lennox finally
silenced by saying in the school-room she
wished it understood that she considered
Alice Arthur perfectly blameless; that
there was some mystery, but that until
it was solved she desired all discussion
on the subject to cease. I'd sr.. ..~
"That same night was taking tea in
Miss Lennox's room, when DR.. Bridge
called. The doctor was the healer of all
kinds of woes in Burtnet, and his kind
face comforted us now. @...t -, @t.
"He had been out of town fortnight
81 have come to see you, Miss Lcnnox.
he said, gravely, about our young friend,
Alice Arthur. She never stole that
cross' ..s-. 5..s 80 .....
"'Oh, doctor!' we exclaimed together.
"'Now,' said he, sitting down, I've
just heard of it, and think I can illu-
inmate the question little.'
"He smiled knowingly; of course we
were feverlshly excited at once.
"'The doctor continued.
"You may remember that Milly Rog-
ers lungs have been troubling her lately.
Well, 1t so happened was called in to see
her the very day those girls were at FAIR
bank. Now, 1 was waiting for Mrs. Rogers
In room up stairs directly opposite Sal
lies. It was about four o'clock in the
afternoon, but warm so that windows
and doors stood open; Sallie's door was
half open, so that as happened to glance
across the hall I was struck by the pref
ty Reflections of green vine from an op-
poslte window in that long mirror of
hers. Then noticed shadow across it.;
then girls figure; now, you know my
hobby about straight shoulders. never
thought who it was, hut only, "what a
crooked back!' I could see the figure
at full length reflected in the mirror as
she stood at the dressing table hidden by
the door. She was putting something
about her neck. It locked like neck
lace; I saw the glitter of gold. She
claeped it and moved back and forth as
If enjoying the effect
"'WhO was it2'
""That's what I've come here to find
out, said the doctor, shrewdly. Il couldn't
see her face-but it wasn't Alice Arthur.
Presently Mrs. Rogers step sounded; the
girls figure darted away out of sight,
and put for this horrid accusation, new
er should have thong ht of it again.
miss Lennox and exchanged CLAN
ces; she said, in half-whisper:
= "'Louisa2'
"And T.
"Lydia?'
"You know my hobby about stopping
shoulders the doctor went on. "Now
was so impressed by it should know
that girls back in a Thousand. I lust
longed to put her into braces
ave had to laugh.
"Well," said Miss Lennox, cit won't
do to accuse another innocent person, but
it you can come here tomorrow doctor.
about one, Ill contrive to have you sur
vey the girls shoulders without their
knowing it. Then we may be helped.
It's good cause, doctor. If my poor
Alice has this upon her name much
longer, she will be ruined for life.'
1--WE were much encouraged, though
perplexed; and, although was not pres
ent the next day when the doctor came,
l can tell you all the circumstances of
his visit. z''.''.' @
"He took his seat in the window of
Miss Lennox's parlor. Above the low
mantel there was wide, old-fashloued
mirror very useful that morning.
miss LennOx on some pretext sum-
moned Matte Jones. Sent her to the
mantel to find pair of spectacles. Mat
tie fumbled about, broug hit them to the
table, and went off on u message. When
they were alone Miss Lennox looked at
the doctor. ' n25.a.@'zz- - .: Is
no. he said smiling. @..'S rs IS:
"Another summons brought Lydia
Samson. The same result Next Fanny
Jones. DR.. Bridge was growing impa-
tent when Louisa Bywell appeared, with
the excited air common to her in those
days. miss Lennox sent her to the
mantel, then said: ""Louisa, fasten your
chain more securely
''The girls hands went up to her neck.
She secured the clasp with her little
fdgeting air, found what Miss Lennox
wanted, and went off on an errand.
"Dr. Bridge jumped up.
''That is the grip he said impetuosly.
L never saw such another backp
"They discussed the matter hurriedlv,
and then was summoned, as knowing
Louisa's character very we'll. a,G
II told them of my aversion to the girl,
yet 1 believed she never meant any real
wickedness whatever she had done, and
begged that I might try and get her to
confess the truth. yss, s.,,..-
That evening, sitting alone with Lou
lisa in the dark, told her Just what DR..
Bridge had seen, but without mention
ing her name. ....rt
II could have smiled had it been less
serious, for she did precisely what 1
knew she would commenced to cry and
lament in her excited way. -. ..
g UNnvu r }