The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1880-08-12
the very thingl I am going to ball to-


the stones-a regular old miser, she is.
And you've always told me, Meta, with
q sentimental accent, "that you loved
mA"
$50 I do" faltered poor Meta.
"And You won't grant me this one IA
vor--so tritling one, too? Oh, Meta,
what wouldn't do for you?'
Slowly Meta unlocked the jewel case;
n square box of inlaid wood which oc-
dale's wardrobe.
'gThere can be no harm in looking at
them, at all events, thought she.
Mrs. Darkedale kept her cost Y and an
tique set of jewclry in ruby velvet case
worn and tarnished by age, in one cor
ner, and Meta had but Just taken up
this case when old Hannah knocked at
the door.
'1f youplease, miss" said she, 'theres
a lady below who desires to see you i'm
mediately."
Eudora held out both hands, plead
ingly.
"Only for one night, Meta, :" she urged
"Ill be personally responsible. Dear
Meta, please"
Meta Gray hesitated in an agony of
perplexity.
Hannah knocked again.
"She is in hurry, MISS said
Hannah.
"Thcre, take them, cried Meta, push
ing the case into Eudora's hand, "and
oh, be careful of theml | oughtn't toilet
You have them, | know l ought not, but
yes, yes, Hannah, I am coming
And, relocking the jewel box and
wardrobe, she dropped the keys into her
pocket and hastened down stairs,
followed by the exultant Eudora
Fenley.
The lady whose haste was so immedi-
ate proved to be only poor friend of the
Darkdales, and when she had taken
reluctant leave our poor little heroine
found herself with abundant leisure to
reflect over what she had done.
"Oh, how wrong it was of met she
thought, with remorsc and anguish.
"But she will bring them back again
tomorrow, and then / will never,
never let them 60 out of my hands
again.
Meanwhile Miss Endora Fenlcy,
speeding homeward, like an arrow ont of
n bow, found herself checked at street
corner by the gentleman who gave
guitar lessons and wore his hair curling
down on his neck.
"Well." said he, in n low, impcrious
voice, "have you got it?'
Il
A smothered execration burst from be-
tween his lips.
"Hush," said Eudora, impaticntly.
"Do hear me out. | said | had no
money, neither have |. But I've got
something better than that, Mrs. Darke
dales jewels"
She opened fold OF her dress just
wide enough for him to perceive, III the
depths of her pocket, the laruished red
velvet case.
His face frightened
"Good,' he said, briefly; "you'rc
clever. But don't go home. Our little
plans are discovered; the police are OF
the scent. I've got all the valuables,
such as they are, and, with your wind
iall we can 60 where we please"
After this little insight into the private
life and conversation of Mr.. Oswald
Fenley and his accomplished sister, our
readers may readily conjecture that Miss
Eudora did not return the next morning
with Mrs. Darkedale's jewel case il her
hand.
Meta waited until toward night. max
ing all due allowance for Eudora
Fcnleys fatigue after nig ght OF merry
making, and then, with throbhing heart,
and strange, vague fears bcsetting her
brain, hurried to the private dressmaKing
and millinery establishment
But, to her dismay, the apartments
were vacated, and "ro let" stared her
in the face, wafered on the panels of
the door.
"A bad lot, MISS" said the landady,
Indignantly shaking her head; land if
I'd any idea of what they was like l'd
a-let my rooms stand empty aforo I'd
a-rented 'em to them. Why, miss, the
police was here yesterday, and it seems
they're well known confidence pair
and me out of a quarters rent into the
bargain!'
"But where have they gomez" gaspod
Meta.
"That's what I'd like TO know myself, s.
said the landlady; "and what the police
means to find ont, too.
Meta Gray went home with her heart
feeling like lead within her. For an in
slant she, too, felt almost inclined 20
follow the example of Miss Fenley and
her guitar-playing brothel, and disap-
pear mysteriously. For now how could
she ever face Mrs Darkedale after this?
And Meta cried herself to sleep, not
only that night. but every night for a
week.
"I'm afraid it don't agree with you to
be left alone, miss" said old Hannah
inquisitively scanning her young mis-
trcss' wan face and her tcar-swollen eye
lids. "But there's one comfort-Mrs.
Darkedale will soon be home now."
EYES," feebly assented Meta.
But she didn't appear to brighten up
very much at the immediate prospect of
this comfort"
Mrs. Darkedale came at last.e
"Why. Meta" said she. "what's the
matter? My poor child. you are as pale
as a ghost, and you've been crying, too.
Has anything happened
"Yes, said Meta, striving to brace
herself up for the confession which she
knew must be made. You left your
keys /"
"I know it," said Mrs. Darkedale,
quietly. 81 missed them before 1 had
been gone an hour
"And-and I lent your jewels to
Eudora Fenley. She only wanted to
borrow them for one night to go to
ball. I know I did wrong, but she
coaxed them from me before knew what
was about. And she has disappeared;