Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1885-08-01

winch Miss Rebecca relcutantly re.
ceived.
"But what is it ? and where did you
get it? ?" she asked, turning the letter
over and over, without offering to
read it.
'It's letter she wrote-Lury. l
found it where she dropped it by the
pasture bars" explained Zerelda, inn
patiently. "Read lido, Miss Re-
becca, and see what "a imposture
you have been been'a a-harborin' under
your ruff"
And thus adjured, Miss Rebecca
opened the note and read in the
handwriting she knew to be Lura's
the mysterious words:
DEAR JERRY.-You said you would
come to me whenever wrote for you.
Come now as soon as possible, for
everything is arranged and l will be
ready for you. Be sure and bring the
Indian ladder. Come on the nine
clock train without fail, and 1 will
go back with you. Your"
There it stopped without any sig
nature, but on the other side of the
paper was Lura's name, plainly writ
ten.
"Dear-deary mew
Miss Rebecca sank, pale and limp,
into the friendly arms of a cretonue-
covered rocklng-chair, which stood
ready to receive her.
"What-what will Basil say? And
what kin she want of the Indian lad
der, do you s'pose?'
'There's no tellin'! Maybe she's
a-goln' to 'lope out Of the wiuder; or
else she's a-goiu' to let some one IN
to rob the house, and like as not, kill
you and Basil !" declared Zerelda,
impressivelY.
"And / trusted her and liked her
so muchv' groaned Miss Rebecca,
helplessly.
appearances is mighty deceitful,"
sighed Zerelda, hypocritically. "For
my part, l allus thought there was
something suspicious lOokln' about
her and
"'And' what, Miss Zerelda-what
have you got to say against Lura
Gaines ?" demanded Basil Bellfower,
striding angrily into the room.
Zerelda gave little scream, but
she quickly recovered, and put the
letter into his hands.
"Read that, and see what you think
then ?" she retorted, exultingly.
And with an incredulous smile on
his handsome face, Basil read the
damaging words.
"Oh, Basil! do you think she
means to rob us ?" asked Miss Rebec-
ca, family.
"Rob us! Pshaw! what nom
sense!" cried her brother, his hand
some face covered with scornful in
credulity.
"But what does she want of the
Indian ladder ?" asked Zerelda.
"And what"
'That's her business ~ said Basil,
loftily.
Then, turning to his sister, he
added:
"You stay here, Rebecca. I will
find out what this means. But
remember, l have perfect faith and
confidence in Lura."
And he strobe away.
The waning yellow rays of pale
November sun were peering into the
wide, roomy kitchen where Lura
Gaines stood contemplating the
fruits Of her afternoon "baking."
-Four loaves of light, brown bread,
half dozen pies, their flaky tops
powdered with white sugar; a frost
ed pound cake, looking like drift
of newly-fallen snow, a jar of
cookies and platter of "crulls."
Lura contemplated her work with
eminent satisfaction.
"Luraw
The sloe black eyes flashed, and
rich crimson dyed her olive cheek,
as Basil quickly make his way to her
side.
"Have you lost anything, Lura-a
letter." he asked with assumed
carelessness.
"a letter? No, 1 think not.
Why asked Lura, innocently.
He handed her the letter.
"Is this yours, Lura?"
His voice was calm, though his