St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1883-01-13

corner, turned up the rug, took every
thing out of the drawers, removed fur-
niture, and even peeped into Berta's
band box, but no trace of the missing
article could be found.
"Well, we will have to give it up. as
lost thing" Berta tried to say cheer
fully, but in her heart there was dark
shadow OF sadness lurking. She could
not bear to think that her friend had
stolen the money, and yet she was Ger
tain that she had placed it in her work
box, and, as there had been no one IN
the room all day except Abby, the ac-
cusation naturally fell at her door:
Let me tell you something" said
talkative Nellie. 'That money has un-
doubtedly been stolen. Berta knows
she put the purse i'll her WOrk-box, ana
as it it isn't there now, somebody TOOK
it out. There that is all have to say
on the subject"
With these hasty words and a rapid
glance at Abby, she turned and ran
down stairs, followed by Eva, Rosa and
Berta.
Poor Abby She Immediately per-
ceived that she was suspected.
"Oh! the idea of being almost ac-
cused Of stealing to my face ~ was her
bitter exclamation as she listened to the
retreating steps of her visitors. IF it
was not fursnly own good that | should
remain here, | would leave here to-
morrow mOrningw she cried bursting
into tears. "But, there is no use crying
when | am guiltless, and a clear con-
science goes long way thought Abby
as she picked up her neglected Gram
mar and fell to studying harder than
ever.
That night at supper not even Berta
noticed her. There was not kind face
to meet her gaze save that of the old
President and teachers.
The next morning when our young
heroine entered the school room she
was surprised to see that Berta, her
desk-mate had changed her seat. $50,
my only friend has also turned against
me,n she sighed as she sat down alone.
Thus things went on for several
weeks, when all was hurry and excite
ment preparing for the examination SO
close at hand. What, between writing
June compositions, reviewing studies,
visiting the milliner and dress maker
etc, the pupils of Fairview Institute
hardly held a conversation of ten min
utes duration, SO occupied was their
time.
But time must fly, SO, at last the
dreaded examination was over, the eX-
citement had subsidized, and all the pu-
pills were preparing to take a quiet
leave OF the old school house and its
surroundings. when something occur
ed that caused quite a sensation among
the girls.
Berta went up to her room for the
purpose OF preparing for a journey
home, (the most delightful journey on
which schoolgirl can go.) One piece
and then another was taken down, fold
ed up and stored away in huge trunk.
"Well," said Berta to herself, "a
month ago was sure Abby would go
home with me but-What is this ~ she
cried as in shaking her old blue sacque,
something fell from one of it's pockets.
She stopped to pick it up, and 10, what
met her astonished gaze 1t was the
long-lost purse, still containing the ten
dollars as safe and sound as ever. For
a moment she was dumb-founded, but
suddenly remembered how she had
dropped the purse in her pocket, fully
intending to place it in her workbox,
but in the excitement it slipped from
her memory. She recollected also how
she had taken off her sacque and hung
it up where it had remained ever since,
and, lastly how she had mentally ac-
cused Abby of stealing it.
With these thoughts in her mind she
hastily left the room and hurried to the
girls who were assembled in the recita-
ton hall for the last time that session.
What she said was never known.
but one thing which it pleases the wri-
ter to state is, that Abby was heartily
kissed and hugged by all the girls on
the morning she left the dear old insti-
tute, to spend vacation with Berta in
her pleasant home.