The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-07-23
THE CAMEO.

- StNlNt - W
"Feliciel Fellcie Brevard Come here
directlyl"
The soft French name had a queer
sound, coming from Mrs. Monson's thin
lips and acid voice. Felicie came slowly
up the stairs to where Mrs. Monson stood
talking volubly with her lodgor Mr.. Thorn.
ton.
"Felicie, walk little faster |" said Mrs
Monson, sharply. "Here is Mr.. Thornton
that has missed his finest cameo. You
were in his room dusting yesterday"
at was a head of Apollo" said Mr.
Thornton. al bought it in Naples. Could
you have swept it behind the furniture !"
AT the first mention of the cameo, Felcie
put her hand in her pocket, she turned
deathly pale, and half cry escaped her
"Have you got it2" cried Mrs Monson
shrilly. "If you have, out o! these doors
you shall pack. Trouble enough l have
had with you already all of your re-
latons"
She seized her by her shoulders, and at
tempted to put her hand into her pocket
Feiicie resisted desperately. She was as
white as ghost.
"Come, come, Mrs. Monson The cameo
is not worth all that" said Mr.. Thornton.
1t was really worth enough to have made
Felicie open her innocent eyes wider than
they had ever opened before.
Mr.. Thornton had often noticed Felcie.
lie believed her to be honest, and he saw
that she was terrified at Mrs. Monson's vio-
lence.
. "But mean 10 get to the bottom of it,
said Mrs. Monson.
Thornton caught her by the wrist and
forced her to unloose Felce. lie gave her
a look before which the shrewishness vanish.
ed like smoke.
"You had better 60 downstairs" said he
quietly. 81 will settle this with Felicie."
Mrs. Monson walked submissvely down
stairs, and left Thornton and the frightened
girl alone.
"Now," said Thornton kindly, but with
determination in his voice, "tell me how
all this happen ed ?"
Felicie put her hand in her pocket and
handed out the cameo.
al know you won't believe me- sh,
said, bursting into tears, "but did no
steal IT,"
al believe you,' said Thornton. "G,
on"
al was dusting in your room. put my
handkerchief OF the mantelpieee. When
took 1t up did not notice that took any
thing with it. When l got downstairs
felt it in my pocket. I was hurryng Il
put it back when ! found you and Mrs
Monson here"
She was very pretty when she cried. sh
had delicate beauty very different from
Mrs. Monson's buXom daughters. lie won
dered how two types SO different could b
produced in the same family.
care you Mrs Monson's niece ?" he ask
cd
"NoW she answered, with ring of in
dignation. "My mother was Mr.. Monson
sister and lady. My father was French.
"And how came you here?"
"My father and mother died and ha
nowhere else to 60"
She began to cry.
Thornton had never felt so sorry for an
human being in his life.
"And have you never been educated
he inquired, after a.pause.
"a can read and write, and can spea
French. My father was French teache
and he used to say to me, when was Ii
tie thing; Felicie, you must study bar
some of these days, and you must play an
sing;' but l cannot play, and haye 1
heart.to sing"
Thornton looked at her in silence f
some time.
81 have never benefited others much, b.
this is a chance win not let slip. Felici
how would you like to 60 TO school an
then learn some business that would NAL
you independent-suc as flower making
cor dress making" responded the pract
cal Felicie.
every WE'LL" said Thornton. al know
a respectable place where you can live. L
me see-you are about fifteen?"
"Nearly eighteen" said Felicis.
Thornton stared.
She was, then, quite a woman, and :
uneommonly pretty one, to, he said to hir
self.
"You are sure you will not repentY B
perhaps | am wrong in taking you aw'
from your natural guardians in this ma
ner."
"You may take me away or notP sa
Felicie, coolly. "But If some one does q
take me away shall take myself away.
am going now to get everything have, al
nothing will induce me to sleep anoth
night under this roof"
That settled il. Thornton took ca
aud wrote an address on it, aud in less thl
an hour Feheie presented herself at her n,
friends with a basket containing all Of h
worldly possessions
Mrs. Monson came home to find Fell,
gone, and no elew TO her, while Felicie "
being snugly enseoneed in a little SUM
room a. Miss sheperd's