The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1884-11-29
The Letter..

"She'S powerful good glrl-goou aS
gold! remarked Miss Rebecca Bellaow-
er, with an air of satisfaction. l never
had a girl before that KEEP the pantry SO
clean aut the dresser lookin' so neat.
Yes, Lura's the best girl l ever had, an l
don't keer pin if brother Basil has
tucl; notion to her. He couldn't find
any other girl I'd sooner he'd hev than
her"
And if Rebecca was satisfied pretty
Lura Gaines was no less so; and she
went singing about the old farmhouse,
washing di-hes and sweeping floors, the
very type of n busy country girl, Lura
was pretty, too, SO it was no wonder if
handsome, stalwHrt Basil Bellaower had
taken motion" to her, with her sloe-
black eyes and hair to match; her dark
olive-Lued cleek, and her mouth, soft
aud scarlet as sun ripeucd Iudian
peach.
"Is--is Basil going to marry her, then?'
asked Miss Z4relda Magwort, VINO had
been making an afternoon call.
II dunno as he is an / dunno as he
amt" was the answer; But ii he wants
her, an she'll hev him, shan't hev
nethiu' to say agin it,
But 1 shall" thought Miss Zerelda,
malignautly. "a poor hired girl like
| her to get the best lookin' an The best
to-do youug man in the neighborhood.
1 It's outrageous!'
v
"A-hem! I thought 'twan't anything
more'n right, Miss Rebecca, TO let you
know something I've found out about
that girl of yourn."
A triumphant look sparkled in Zsrel-
| da Mugworts sharp eyes rs she careful
ly drew letter from the pocket of her
dress. a
Something about Laura What on
earth is it?" asked Miss Rsbecca.
"Read that;irll tell you what 1 mean,'
returned Zerclda. "Its a letter she
wrote-Lucy. 1 found it where she
dropped it, in the path by the pasture
bars" explained Zsrelda. Read it
do Miss Rebscca, ana see what a-an
imposture you've been a harborin' under
your roof"
Aud thus adiured, Miss Rebecca
opened tbs note and read in a hand
writing she knew to be Laura's the mys
terious Words
DEAR jerry said you would
come to me whenever / wrote for yoG
Come now, as soon as possible for every
thing IS arranged and l will be ready
for you, Be sure and bring the Indian
ladder. Come on the o'clcck train
without fail,a l will go back with yod.
! Your"
There it stopped, without any sigma
ture but on the other side of the paper
WAS Lura's name, plainly written.
Miss Rebecca sank pale and limb into
the friendly arms of Ioeking-chair
"What-what will Basil say2 And what
kin she want OF the Indian ladder, do
spose?"
"There's no telling'l Mebbe she's a
goin' to 'lope out O. the winder; or else
she's a-goin' to let some one in to rob the
house, an like as not kill you aud Basil, "
declared Zsrelda.
IAN trusted her and liked her SO
much groaned Miss Rebecca, helplessly.
appearances is mighty deceitul,' >
sighed Zerelia. "For my part, allus
thought there was somethin' suspicious
lookin' about her, an"
"And what. Miss Zerelda-what have
YOU got to say about Lura Gaines?"
demanded Basil Bellhower, stnding
angrily into the room.
Zsrelda gave little scream but quick
ly recovered and put the letter into his
hands. Read that, and see what you
think thenr she retorted.
And with al incredulous smile on his
handsome face Basil read.
You stay here, Rebecca," be added.
/ Il will hnd out what this means. But,
remember, have perfect faith aud con-
hdence in Lura" And he strobe away.
The waning yellow rays of the pale
November sun we're peerng into the
wide, roomy kitchen where LuIa Gaips.