The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1883-09-29


returned my visitor was sitting by the
fire chatting with the little ones.
This is the dining room," said.
"Yes, and have taken quite a fancy
to it, even in these few minutes. while
your pupils and myself have grown quite
friendly"
81 am glad they have amnsod you.
Will you kindly follow me?" l asked, as
went into the drawing-room.
She went into raptures over it, it was
so nice and large. She had feared she
could not get so large one in ten
roomed house. The upper rooms also
seemed to please her equally well; aud
then we descended to inspect the
kitchens. .
AN" she exclaimed as we entered the
front one. 'Ihis is very nice room-no
servant could object to sit here, for it is
quite as, comfortable as parlor, ard l
am glad TO. see shutters to the window (;
the baek premises are often SO very in
secure"
We passed into the scullery.
"Wlll you kindly lend me candle?"
she asked. l did so, aud she examined
the fastenings Of the windows very care
fully. "As burglary was once committed
in house where was staying, 1 have
bsen very particular ever since about the
bolts and bars"
You have seen ell now except the
cellars. aud you will scarcely care to go
down thele."
Il should like to see all can see, nev-
ertheless, if you DO not mind"
accompanied her, and again she took
he candle and examined the fastenings,
telling me laughingly that she was de-
termined to be safe in her castle, if bars
and chains could make her so. We
stood for moment on the steps before
parting, and she said 10 me sweetly,-
"You have done me a great kindness
tonight, aud hope you will never have
cause to regret it, even though Mr.. and
Mrs. Newstead are from home. My
husband will write to the former to NOR
row. and no doubt all will be arranged.
We shook hands and parted, 1 feeling
quite proud Of my evenings work.
"What precious time that creatures
kept you," said Hugh, as I re-entered
the room. II thought you'd never come
back"
"Never mind-well lose no more
time, replied.
Nelly returned to her place on my lap.
Hugh and Meta resumed their seats on
either side, aud story followed story till
the clock struck pine.
The giils were in bed and passed IN
to IIugh's room to say goodnight when
he asked suddenly
''Was that lady who was here to-.
nigh,?'
Yes, think so. Why do you ask?"
"Oh, because l didn't think ladies
asked such rude questi ons."
What did she ask?' inquired, curl
ouslY.
Why, first she admired the pictures
and ornaments, and then the silver; aud
she asked if papa had any more. And
then she sfid she should thiuk he was
very proud of it, and wanted to know
where it was kept at night, aud whether
you would put it away this evening, Ns
papa and mamma were out
"And what answer did you make?"
"Oh, told her expected it would be
left on the sid, board, as you never
touched it, being our governess, and not
a servant. 1 don't think mamma would
have asked such questions.
mo, Hugh; but never mind-go tc
sleep, and think no more about her."
returned to the empty dining room
feeling very lonely now that my little
charges were in bel and almost wished
Hewitt had been left at home, as it would
have seemed less dreary had he been iu
the kitchen. Nevertheless 1 drew an
easy chair to the fire, and took up vol.
ume Of Tennyson's poems, and think.
ing 1 would spend short time
with an old faYorite, and then q
to bed, sat down. Bat somehow could
not settle TO read, and l found my
thoughts wandering from Lpcksley Hal
to the lady who had called earlier in the
evening; and it suddenly struck me thai
she had given no nomo left no address
had not asked for them certainly, but
it was strange, if she was so very auxi
Gus To have the house, that she had moi
mentioned them; aud then l thonght o.
the questions she lad asked the children
with regard to the plate.
Did the whole thing mean mischief
and had she called simply to ascertain
who was in the house, and the easies
mode of access2 Aud the more though
of it, the surer felt that all was no
right. l glanced at the time-piecs ii
was quarteFto ten. What should do
The silver / knew was worth severl
hundred pounds, aud was lett in charge
so must save it at any risk, 1t occur
red to me that the woman had some mo
iIye in noticing so particularly the soul
lery and cellar windows. so took ligh
and examined them. The scullery win
dow was unfastened, the cellar also-anC
l could doubt no longer. The former
fastened, but the latter l could not man
age. How foolish had been! l return
ed to the dining-room, and quietly col
lected all the silver, carrying it to my
: own room, where l put on large cloak
D and then went to the ball-door, sec iuI
policeman. for, though our house stooC
g alone, and was at some distance from th,
F, road, the garden sloped down to it, AnC
L., II. A. a.