Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-12-25

her. She could neither eat nor sleep
something she must debut great hrsv-
ems, what Those earrings, those fatal
earrings. Josephine, on the night she
had bought hers, had taken them to show
to her sister Isable, who lived with Mrs
Courcy de Spenser, and the two girls were
50 pleased with them that when Mrs
COurcy de Spenscr came into the sewing
room lsabc showed them to her, and that
lady expressed great admiration and sur
prise, and even COndesCendcd 50 far as to
go and get her own earrings and compare
the two, and for Il moment Josephine had
held both pairs on the palm of her hand.
Going to see her sister again after Mrs.
Trench had lost the earrings, She told that
fact in confidence, and Mrs COurcy dc
SpUuscr. who was overlooking some sew
ing work, went In great haste and trcpd-
alton to her own room, and returning, be
came very much Hgitated. And 1t seemed
that Josephine had taken home Mrs.
Courcy dc Sponsors earrings by mistake
and left her old bits of glass. And Mrs.
dc Spcnser had said that of course she
knew Josephine was thoroughly honest,
she never doubted her, it was all II mis-
take, and she would say nothing about it
if Josephine chose to pay the difference
She would say one hundred dollars. And
Josephine had no one hundred dollars {;
they had not yet saved all of fifty dollars
toward the operation on their mothers
eyes. And then the truth slowly dawncd
ON Mrs. Trench's timid comprehension :;
it was Mrs. Trench who had lost Mrs.
COurcy de Spcncers.
Il don't believe she ever had any dia-
monds - cries Mrs. Trench. II believe
hers were Just like yours cut glass or Crys
tai SHE'S the thief But that makes no
odds Shes got to have her one hundred
dollars. And-lon't you cry, Josephine,
drar--he shall have 1t somehow can't
think how-unless sell the spoons. too
and they're not mine Or. might rattle
this crazy quilt, and say it's for charity ::
and 50 it is Or, could sell my scal-slin
Or-orask Mr. Trench if | can get it any
any other way. But shall have if for
voii. Josephine. don't fear. some way.
only lust keep her along: keep her OIL
awhile wait iii, we Get tins Christ mas
Dir our hands. It mani bring something
in We can use, any way and Mr.. Trench
win have to hand me some money some
/ time or other: and perhaps can yet my
/ courage. M to tell him all about it. |
/ don't Know why can't-but don't dare
/ I'm SO afraid-and then Mrs Trench
/ broke down and cried. and Josephine. who
had become in this stress something like
an intimate friend, cried, too, and it was
All very damn and UNPLEASANT. After TINS
/ the DAYS ONLY dragged on heavily. and She
/ rXuprttd snlupthinir more than had vet
/ happened ON every succeeding one: She
/ Grew thin and pale, and started at every
/ sound. was ready to cry at Il word. and
. llNcu In the atmosphere OF perpetual
dread of she knew not what
Il don know what's the matter with
| YOU Mabel said Mr.. Trench, with irri-
tation. "Im sure shall be glad when
Christmas is over
Pm sure shall -
''The idea of turning what ought to be
Il happy time INTO Il season Of such work
and worry :"
"Iou haven't helped make the season
so light to me that you need to talk in that
way - cried Mrs. Trench, quite beside
herself, her feelings rushing for the first
oul let.
II don't know what you want me tC
do I've explained my circumstances full
w." exclaimed her husbaed, land if you
haven't sense enough
"Gou mustn't tell me | haven't SENSE
enough You mustn't ~ She cried AnC
in another instant she had thrown herself
ON his breast, claspug him convulsivey
and.had run from the room, crying like
child.
I'm sure don't know what to max,
: of her, SAID Mr.. Trench rueiul!y
b "IhollGh she more llNe herself IN thl'