West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-03-08

ing, To find If any one approached. To
turn the Ley and open the box was the
work of a moment. With eager hands
she turned over the articles OF clothing
/ IL contained, and producing little case
/ from her rocket such as might inCloSe a
I bracelet or brooch, she was about TO fold
| II up in a handkerchief OF the child, and
/ slip II into the bottom of the box, when
her eye caught some glittcring object
/ She at once picked il up, and found il
was plain gold lOcket. An cNclama-
/ ton OF delight almost escaped her, as,
on opening 1t, she saw before her the
/ features of Sir George Sommers, only,
as she concluded. taken when he was a
I much younger man and a malicious
smile of triumph crept over her face as
she saw on the opposite side the likeness
of young and lovely girl
AhW she hisSed between her teeth.
This will not only prove the little
saint thief, but give my lady a
pleasant surprise also. see why Sir
George made no fuss about the loss of
this better lose ii than have my lady
know he had it in his possession"
She put the little case back in her
pocket, and, replacing the locket in the
box, shut and locked il, remarking, AS
she did so, There is no occasion TO put
you in now" and sIlcntly glided out of
the room.
In about a week after this event the
| housekceper came to Lady Sommers
with a very long face and represented
that the butler had lost some silver
spoons, and he wished search made in
the house
Gas long as it was only trihing things
my lady" she said, 81 didn't want TO
trouble you about it; but Mr.. Pard SAYS
/ rs he's not a.goin to have his pantry
meddled with, and he'll have an invcsti-
CATION
Both Mrs. Brown and Mr.. Pard were
old and trusted servants, and Lady Som
mers was vexed and alarmed 10 find that
matters had come to this point
What does Mr.. Pard propose to do p"
asked the lady.
Why, my lady" replied the woman.
he just bid me ask YOU if Won or Sir
George would object to him an me
takin' a general search i'm the servants,
wing. They all, indeed, wish it, The
housemaid, the cook, the parlor maid
all declare they won't lie under any
suspicion TO take away their characters
an Mr. Pard says, my lady, us no one
left the house since he missed them but
one, an he knows that one, an means to
charge her straight after the search, if
we find nothin'."
Well, / have no objection" replied
Lady Sommers. " DO what YOU think
right IN the matter; only let Mr.. Pard
take care not accuse an innocent person."
The search was gone through. Ellen
giving mp the key of her box, as the
others had done, to Mr.. Pard, who, with
Mrs. Brown made the tour of inspection.
accompanied, TO his annoyance, by
Felice. The moment Ellen's box was
opened she watched intently TO see what
elect the discovery Of the locilet would
have. After every article was taken out
IL was found.
Fellce pOunced upon it instantly and
declared IL TO belong TO her lady, and
that she would at once give it TO her.
While she rushed off, Mr.. Pard, who
seemed suddenly struck dumb, now re-
covered himself and exclaimed
Well, | never Who'd although
IT! But still ! won't believe it."
Lady Sommers was seated in her
drcssing-room when Feicc entered, and
Ellen had Just given the finishing
touches TO her toilet by placing Grim
son rose among the golden waves of her
hair.
May / speak 10 your ladyship
aioneY' asked Felice, with scarcely con
cealed impatience.
" You may 90 now, Ellen" said her
mistress, kindly, az you have finished,
| believe"
Scarcely had the door closed behind
the little maid, when Felice exclaimed,
at the same time handing the locket open
TO Lady Sommers.
=" knew She was thief, my lady.
Here is a lOcket, which ! know is Sir
Georges, just now found in her box. I
brought IL 10 you myself, as ! thought
you might not like the others TO see the
likeness inside"
"And why notW asked Lady Som
mers, proudly; at the same time as she
gazed her bright face visibly paled, and,
without another word she walked out OF
the room
As she left the door she was met by
Sir Georges valet, who came to tell her
his master waited for her i'm the draw
ing-room- they were going 90 party at
neighbOr's some miles off
She scarcely heard the man but rushed
on into the drawing room, and present
ing the likeness 10 Sir George, asked him
if he had long lost it.
She held it toward him open in her
hand. Sir George gave one glance, and
then, with every particle of color gone
from his face, leaving ii pale as marble,
I he exclaimed, while he clinched his
hand and leant heavily on the table for
support:
Good heavens Ny dear brother and
/ his wifeW
When he had sufficiently recovered
/ himself, he inquired where it had been
/ found, and Ellen was at once called.
/ IL is my dear father and mother"
| answered the child "The matron told
me it was tied round my neck when
was saved from drowning, and / have
| taken care Of 10 ever since"
So, then, you are my niecew ex-
\ claimed the kind Lady SOmmers. "And
] am very glad of it," shc said. AZ she
stopped down and kissed the child.
Sir George soon satisfied himself by
/ inquiries that Ellen was the child Of the
7 brother whom his severity had driven,
with his young wife, to seek home i'm
a foreign land and this child, Of whose
/ existence he was not before aware. was
] now TO him not only a sacred trust, but
I q means Of atoning for the harshnegs he
I only rCucutod of when no hoard Of fLo