Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1881-02-03

prise and joy of 1t has been too much
for me. To think Jamie has remembered
me now that his fortune is made in
India! My godson, you know
Gertrude had the check in her hands,
and viewed it with delight.
You see, my love, the action TO fore
close the mortgage has just commenced,
and could not rest moment Till this
business was arranged. You can do it
for me. and Bess here will keep me COM
pany.''
Gertrude was quite relieved to find
that it was anxiety more than illness
which had prostrated her aunt; and she
at once set about performing her task,
which she did by calling on an old
friend Ia lawyer--to aid her. She had
the satisfaction Of leaving the old lady
calm and CENT Portable irs the evening.
She found it quite dark when she
reached the house, and felt q symptom
of relief that the family were not yet
returned. The children, to her surprise,
were in bed, state OF affairs which she
did not doubt had been accomplished
by bribery
But the silence and rest were never
theless sweet, and she sat down to the
hemming of some interminable rufnes
with which Mrs Chumleigh kindly
kept her employed. After time shut
ting OF doors. laughter and cleaning
lights woke up the quiet house, but no
one disturbed her.
The next morning Francia swooped
in just as lessons began.
s.Well, s. you look serene," she said.
g Do you know there's an earthquake
downstairsP"
"Oh, what a fibber you are, Francia
Dormer r cried Rod, Indignantly. If
there was an earthquake IL would hove
us all up.n
"Weil, look out Bad boys getswa
lowed the first thing" said Francia.
This, however, is a financial one
They've ost ten thousand dollars in
coupons.
"Lostpn questioned Gertrude.
Eyes; just fancy-Bertha's dowry!
Us been stolen. and, what's worse, Won
Arnheim won't be married without it.
He is desolated, but firm; it's the law
Of Vaterland."
Francia was just as careless, as in
souciant and smiling, as she talked of
this loss, as if it had been pleasant bit
of gossip.
Gertrude. with her ready sympathy.
was on the point of asking several ques-
tions, when she noticed the open-eyed
children.
:. Oh, forgot. / was to ask you to
step down into the library exclaimed
Francia; and then, after popping
sugar plum into the children's faces, she
danced away.
Gertrude went down with a feeling
that she was to be called to accoun. for
her absence the day before but quite
convinced that her reasons would sat-
isfy any right minded person. So she
met Mrs. Chumleigh with a face SO Sc
rene that the aforesaid lady was some
what staggered in the belief to which
she had rapidly come within the last
hour.
II hear-and must say am exceed
ingly annoyed to hear Miss Winthrop, !"
the lady began, with extreme acidity,
s'that you absented yourself the whole
of yesterday from your duties without
leave. Was this premeditated thingP"
impulsively; snd then as rapidly as
possible explained the affair.
ssDo you know what has happened
hereP" asked the lady.
" About the couponsp" asked Ger
trude.
.Yes; it's robbery, you know"
81 scarcely understood. I am sorry
it is great loss,'' said the gill.
eft was taken by some one in the
house, Mrs. Chumleigh went on, ex-
citedly. my desk was opened, the
coupons taken and the desk relocked,
the key put in the usual place" and she
fixed penetrating glance on Gertrude's
face as she spoke, and aided, after q
seconds silence: cit was taken yester-
day after we left the house,
Even then Gertrude listened with q
polite sympathy, without feeling any
direct reference to herself in the case.
My servants / know thoroughly,
Mrs. Chumleigh went on. Even Bet
sey the last conner, has lived with me
before, and cannot suspect them, only
of course they must all be seaI ched.
You must feel, Mrs. Winthrop, that cir
cumstances are somew hat against you
you leave the house in such an account
able manner
Gertrude's face flushed.
Shame on you, Mrs. Chumleigh.
You insult me because am poor, be-
cause have no one"
Eric opened the door with mad burst
at this moment, and caught the sound
of these last words.
{. No one Pn he cried. "You have
me! have heard these insane suspi-
cious. Mother. Won are mad! / stake
nv life upou this young lady's honor.
Whv do Won NOT snsnect me PS
Mrs. Chumleigh faltered and turned
pale.
My son, what have you to do wiSh
this Young person.
her NV wife. If she can care enough for
me.n
uMv Godtn exclaimed Mrs: Chum-
leigh. falling back in q half faint.
9 Nice time for your declaration
cried Francia Dormer. who had heard
these words, and now hurried in with