St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1883-01-13
FALSELY ACCUSED.s .
BY "FLOY.n' .

ooh girls, mamma has sent me ten
dollars in a lovely little velvet purse
for my birthday present" exclaimed
Berta Lynn rushing into the recitation
room where several girls were assem-
hled one evening after school. "What
do You think of it r.
How lucky you are!
Capital ~
Perfectly splendid" and such ex-
,clamations rose from the crowd.
but, what will you do with such a
sum of money ~ asked Rose Langdon.
Pray don't be uneasy, for Ill make
use of it, laughed Berta, Butt she
continued" let me tell you something
else. Mamma said, in her letter, that
might bring one girl home with me in
vacation, which is not far off. /"
"Who will you take !" asked Eva
Brent apparently very much concerned.
'Well, most likely it will be Abby
Richards, my roommate. You know
she is very poor aud hardly ever has
auy pleasure
..Humpl she'd be the last person |
would select to spend two months with
one y sneered Nellie Warner, contemp-
tuously.
.sShe is nice girl 1 am sure,n an
swered Berta somewhat nettled.
..0h, we all know that, but she is SO
dull and unsociable. In fact, she hard
ly ever has word to say"
True, she is not a great talker, but,
as she never harmed yoa i'll any way,
why is it th at you seemingly detest her
SO ~ asked Berta.
II don't know. None of us are, or
ever were ON friendly terms with her
except you.o
well, I'm convinced that every one
of you would learn to love my friend
we're you acquainted with her good
principles and il you possess any SYM
nathy you would feel for her lonely con-
-dition, so dependent upon her uncle,
who pays her tuition. She, OF course,
feels her dependence, which makes her
shy of mingiing with the girls On equal
terms, and
ssPshaw you are always ready to de-
fend everybody whether they deserve
it or not,r interrupted Nellie. "But,
there's no use in standing here quar-
relling over Abby Richards. Berta, 60
aud get your purse and let us have q
aOh. yes do', cried the girls in a
chorus, at which Berta disappeared
hastily through the door, glad OF a
chance to escape from tie midst of the
2sUSSl 1lUGiC d6CCLQ UIy
Won't Abby be highly elated at the
idea OF spending vacation with Berta
Lynng" sneered Nellie the moment the
door closed.
Indeed she will. Why, her head is
completely turned already at being her
mmate. | intend to ask her" just
then, however, Berta ran in, but her
alarmed and pale cOuntenance caused
the girls to cry, "Why, what in the
world is the matter ~
'The purse and money are both
gone, was Berta's abrupt reply.
Both gone y exclaimed Nellie, who
was, as usual. the first to speak.
Yes, and put it in my Workbox in
sae top drawer OF the bureau
Are you sure you placed it there ~
'sOf course am. Wouldn't say so if
wasn't answered Berta rather pet
yishly.
Who has been in your room to-
.slay 9n asked Eva.
No one except Abby and myself
How strange: perhaps you left it on
the mantel, or slipped it in your pock-
ct suggested Rosa.
NO. did not. Oh dear where can
5t he What shalt do ?" You could
clearly see by her troubled countenance
that the much-yalued present was in
indeed gone.
Some one must have taken it, Mel
lie ventured to. say after moments
pause.
"Well, there was no one who could
have done it except Abby who has been
in the room all day." said Rosa.
g know Abby is not guilty, is not
guilty of stealing, cried Berta excited
ay, although there are others only too
glad to place the accusation at her
door,
But, Berta, if you put the purse in.
your Workbox and it is now not there,
some one must have taken it, said
Nellie.
but. never would have suspected
her.
No, of course, You wouldn't. II she
mas taken it, it is your reward for hav-
ing cOnided in q girl whom you've
known only two or three MONTHS an
swered Nellie with triumphant ring in
der voice.
Girls come on let's have regular
search, cried Berta.
At this they all followed her upstairs
TO her room, Berta pale and trembling
from distress of mind and heart.
AS they reached the door they could
distinctly hear Abby studying her
lessons.
<.Just listen! she heard us coming
and wants to appear very studious in
our eyes" whispered Eva.
aHush,n said Berta as she walked in
followed by the three girls.
Abby rose, apparently very much as
6onislied as they entered.
abby, what do you think 2" began
Eerta. I've lost my ten dollars already
expect carelessly mislaid it, SO we
garse to search. Come on and help us. =
Although Abby readily joined in the