Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1884-11-27

BILE ~
Milly gasppd for breaCh, and sank
into the nearest chair, with even great
or despair written on her cOuntenance
thar had just given rise to her merrl-
ment when she saw it depicted on her
friends face. But Josie didn't laugh.
The situation was far too serious for her
too see any comic phase Of it.
$50 thought, too, when | first miss
ed it but | have searched every corner
OF the room, every iuch Of the carpet,
every impossible and possible place,
and the appalling fact becomes more
convincing money is gone ~
Again and again every article in the
room was moved out of lis place, and
every likely and unlikely nook and
crevice searched, but without success.
Occasionally remark was made by
one or the other of the girls, and alb
sently replied to and still the search
went on, until, tired out, they both sat
down aud despairingly removed bonnet,
jacket and gloves.
There was now no occ lsion for going
out the merry marketing to which
they had looked forward with so much
pleasure, was no longer possible.
Instead, they must fud some way OF
sending word to their invited guests
that foreseen their little festiYity.
Josie was quite heartbroken, blaming
herself for her carelessnes and though
Milly tried to comfort her. she could
cot help thinking that she would have
been more careful of the treasure they
had so leng and so faithfully striven
for.
And, to make everything worse, an
unmistah able, though indescribable,
coldness sprang up between these warm
friends.
You and Josie Is ing are not such
friends as you used to be-" remarked a
second acquaintance to Milly Barry,
soma weeks later.
The speaker WIS Kate Weeks. one OF
the party wh1 had been invited to the
Thanksgiving dinner which never took
place and the young girls chanced to
be talking to gether for a few moments
during the brief noontime.
mo, we are Dot-th0ueh | love Jo-
sic King dearly, and always SHALL" re-
turned Miily. The trouble dates
from the loss of that unfortunate ten
dollars. You see, no one else was in
the room from the time she laid the
money on the bureau until it was miss
ed, except ourselves. And where
could it go ? | am sure the Same
thought Is in both our minds-not that
either Of US really suspects the other Of
taking the money-that would be i'm
pnsslble-but we are both miserable
from fearing that we suspect each 9TH
er, and we have neither of us the cour-
age to come to an explanation. The
idea of such thing seems so unuttera-
bly, mean Oh. dear had rather have
lost ten thousand dollars than have
given way to the wicked thoughts and
doubts forced on me by the loss of that
wretched teu."
A young man, who was passing along
the crowded aisle of the great empor-
ium at that m 'ment, chanced to over
hear these words for, in her excite
ment, Milly raised her voice, and spoke
with great diStinctness.
This young man looked at her with
marked attention, and before he left
the store he had, by much persever ance,
and by assuming his most engaging
manner, adroitIy managed to ascertain
Milly's name, and also her place of res E
idence, without either giving offense or
subjecting himself to snubbing for his
curiosity.
That evening, Josie and Milly were
much startled by the receipt of a card
sent up by gentleman who haG asked
for them both, and was now waiting
in the parlor.
Say we will come down." said Jo-
sic to the gaping maid-of-all- work, who
evidently shared their amazament, for
neither Miss Barry nor Miss King had
ever received masculine visitor before
ST, ce taking up their abode in those
lodgings.
"Albert Merton," Josie read from
the card, as the door closed behind the
servant. "! know Of no such person.
1t must be some friend of yours, Mil.
ly."
"No, Indeed | never heard the gen
tleman's name before. But it's very
pretty name. Suppose we go and see
if the owner is worthy of his name"
Both girls FASTENED to the parlor .and
tall, good-looking, elegant young
man, ''qnite as pretty as his name,"
Milly, subsequently remarked, rose to
meet them.
"MIss Barry" he bowed to Milly,
"and Miss King" he bowed to Josie,
II trust you will not consider this an
intrusion when explain that I come