Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-12-04
mepts Mrs. Fairfield I believe. had

="
and" the chief speaker went on,
taking advantage of II break in the
voice Of the late departed's widow,
"Mrs. Crooks yesterday lost her valu-
able lace parasol covering, and this
morning these numerous accidents
have eliminated in the disappearance
of my diamond brooch. And now,
gazing at Mrs. Nanderslice sternly.
"we thought il about time To inform
you that as we have all made this our
home for three successive seasons. and
as you have retained the same help.
we consider it Your business to inves-
ugate into the only apparent source OF
these accidents.
YES, yes-of course gasped the
astnnished landlady. "But l think
hardly understand what-what source
you refer tn. v
"Why don't you speak plainly, Mrs.
Timpson. Miss Sharply asked, land
give Mrs. Nanderslce to understand
that all this has happened since the
entrance of that decelful mink, Mrs.
Rhoades, who has done nothing but
make eyes AT every man in the house
since she camc?'
Little Mrs Nanderslice suddenly
became equal to the occasion.
You re speaking of lady have
known all my lie, vi IS Sharply. and
# looking at the rest of the group,
the OPINIONS of the other ladies are
the same. | can assure YOU that you
are all very badly mistaken! DO yen
suppose drawing up her plump,
round figure 10 its full height-"that
| would board any one for whom
could not vouch? | am very sorry,
indeed, about your mlslaid articles
for / teel sure that they must be mis-
laid-and tonight Mr.. Nandersllce
and myself will consider what is best
to be done, and trust that YOU will
not have to regret the manner in
which you have been borating Mrs.
Rhoadcs. And now, if You'll excuse
me, | will see about luncheon.
And, with a dign lied bow. tho little
lady left them in state OF astonlsh-
ment. that she should dare 10 intimate
to them, her best paving boarders,
that they were in the wrong.
When they met at the luncheon
table, Mrs. Nanderslice was made
full, aware of their Indignation by
their monosyllabic answers to herself,
and their entire silence TO Mrs.
Rboades.
II wonder if have unintentionally
otlcudcd your ladies', Mrs. Wander
slice Mrs Rhoades asked. as they
were leaving the table together.
"Oh. not Mrs. Nanderslice answer
ed. They had some slight misundcr-
standing among themselves. y
That's il, is it?" pleasantly an.
swercd the widow, and then the ladies
retired for their customary maps.
la about five minutes Mrs. Wander
slice, answering Il knock on her door.
opened it. to find Mrs. Rhoades, pale
and agitated.
you must excuse my intruS on,
Mrs anderslice,' said the widow,
unpleasant discovery, and decided II
was better to let YOU know at once.
When went down to luncheon | care
lessly left check for 500 on my
table. and am most sorry to nave Ia
say that on my return It was gone.
Mrs Nanderslice looked ~ though
about To faint ut this second piece OF
information, but shrill cry. ringing
through the house. served Us "a restor
alive
"rhat was from Miss Sharply :
room she exclaimed, and with flying
feet both hurried down to the end o
the hall.
Kneeling before the open tireplac,
in her room was Miss Sharply; beside
her lay her devoted pet.
~ hat is the matter, Miss Sharply?
Mrs. Nanderslice asked.
oh" sobbed Mss Sharply. as sh'
tried TO fan some life into Polly will
the bellows, when came up stairs
heard moaning. and as | seemed L
come from the fireplace. | went owe
and looked and-and oh. ther'
was Polly caught in the ilue. and sh'
was fastened SO tightly that | nearly -
nearly killed her"
What under the heavens was sh'
doing up the chimney" Mrs. TimpSoI
questioned.
Mss Sharply's answer was lost in ;
scream from Mrs. Nanderslice. VIII
had poked her hand up the ilue ant
D tIuStu lllo lulllDit VI u Sl1til III ~
shop on the CRATE.
"There's the guard that my dea
husbands Uncle Jacob. the wei
known
And my brooch?' screamed Airs
/ Timpson And there's your lace
| Mrs Cook she continued -"an'
what what is this?' as she picked III
piece of paper
That is the check belonging TO Mrs.
Rholdes," Mrs. Vanderslice said. look
ing at il and giving it 10 her friend
"She. rebukingly. "adopted d ller
ent course from YOU. ladies. and quiet
ly informed me of her loss this after
noon. | hope YOU will not be so hast
again In your judgments. and turn
ing TO Miss Sharply, This is the tirS
season you have brought that bird
and think it will be the best for it t
be the last
lit will DO tho last, anyhow!
cried Miss Sharply, bending over tn
parrot.
Get out. you fool!' suddenly e>
claimed Polly, getting up and walkin
out of the room.
well, Inever experienced such
day of confusion" Mrs. VanderslIc
said to Mrs Rhoades. as they left tn
slightly discounted owner of Poll
alone.
Eyes; but still IT seems TO have rem
edied the Misunderstanding among th
ladies'" Mrs. Rhoades answered
What lucky providence that "
did not say anything to Mrs. Rhoades!
Mrs. Fairfield, as they returned
thair rnoma