The Wilmingtonian., 1885-08-08

/ dhhtu DSbsies
al haven't noticed in my room," said
Mrs. Wootton; ''let us all go and look"
And to our rooms we went, | opened my
bureau with sinking heart. 1t was as l
feared-my casket, which had only contain
ed the money, was really gone
Some unaccountable impulse prompted
me to conceal my loss from the rest when l
joined them again, and l hardly noticed
that Mrs. Grubam stopped crying and look
ed queerly at me when reported that my
things were all right.
And then she fell to crying again, saying
hers were all right, too, but she never
doubted that It would be her turn next,
and she dared not stay there another night.
Mrs. Wootton reported that every article
of jewelry and all the money she had in
her purse were gone, and Bessie said the
same.
Thig was serious case, and we wire at
a loss what to do. | said / should inform
the village inspector and then go up to town
and consult Mr. Fraser and lawyer, and 1
begged them-t do nothing till l came
back.
They all promised, but pretty Mrs.
Graham said l must come back before
night, for she knew she was a dreadful
little coward, but she must 60 over to the
village and stay at the hotel for few
nights. She would only take Jeanette
and little satchel, and when We got all
quiet once again she would come back.
Twas not willing she should go, but
thought she would get over her fright by
evening and stay, so only asked her if
| could do any errands in the city for
her.
She said no-then yes, if l would be so
kind might stop at Weling's and match
piece of lace for her-she wanted five
yards more and she gave me the money to
pay for it.
1t seemed to me that trains went at
snais' PAGES that morning, but at last vas
in Dick IS Office.
"Um-um-yes, to be sure ~ said Dick,
strokng his mustache with thoughtful
air. Every bad, Mary Very bad indeed
And your pretty little widow is the only
one person who wants to leave you say ?"
eyes. And l don't want any one 70
leave with such stain on our house,
Dick"
"Yuu must by all means keep'your pretty
little widow till 1 come down with an officer
and search her trunks"
sprang to my feet.
"Why, Dick, are you mad ?" l cried.
'Ncither mad nor deluded my dear little |
woman" said Dick, coolly. "But have a
little theory about this thing, Mary, and if
you will let me work it out may help you.
Got errands to do this morning ?"
was too worried to attend to any shop |
ping for myself, but 1 remembered Mrs.
Graham's lace and answered.
EYES, one."
"Well, go and do it, and then COME back
here will you ? l think I'll have plan
perfected by that time"
went to Welling's stopped at the lace
counter, and held out the scrap Mrs. Graham
had given me.
"Can you match this ?" asked of the
polite shopman who stepped up. Il wish to
purchase some more Of it.
He took the bit of lace, and i noticed
queer look come over his face. also saw
two Or three of the young men draw near
duyefne ef 'e9ttii5 y, and I began ~ feel
embarrassed.
81 don't know" said the shopman slowly.
"Mr. Jones, ask Mr.. yelling to step this
way"
The young man addressed hurried away,
and in a moment the gentleman named
came up, which was relief to me. for l
saw something was wrong, and knew him
we'll, as he was nn old friend of my faith
er's.
"rhis is bad business, and requires
explanation Miss Mary" be said. ga
week ago a lady exactly answering the
description you give of Mrs. Graham, came
here and bought twenty yards of this same
lace. After she was gone it was discovered
that the money she paid was bad. We have
been trying to trace this lady ever since, but
had not the least clew till now. What do you
tink ?''
81 think,"I trcmb!ngly said, "Chat l
must tell you the bad business at our house
last night, which brought me to town to-
day."
So told him my story, and then lie went
with me to Dicks office. And when went
home knew all had to do.
l told Mrs. Graham that l could not find
her any more of the lace, and returned her
money.
As had planned, Dick came by the six
o'clock train, and we were all at tea when
Emma came in with the quiet announce
ment-
''Mr. Fraser is in the parlor, ma am"
1 excused myself moment, and Fastening
to the paror found Dick and detective.
We hurried quietly up-stalrs-I was so
glad Jeanette was out of the way-and
into pretty Mrs. Graham's room. One of
her trunks was gone, but her hat and shawl
lay upon the bed, and under the pillow we
found her Russian leather handling.
Mr.. Detective made short work of opening
that bag, and 10 he had no need to look
farther There we found all Miss Burton's
jewelry, all that belonged to Bessie and
Mrs. Wootton, and my lost money, besides
a bunch of skeleton keys. And then his
course was plain, and before ] hardly knew
what had happened, we had astonished the
group at the supper-table, and pretty Mrs.
Graham was prisoner.
Afterward we found proof enough that
her work was done on Sunday afternoon,
while lay asleep in the parlor, and the
window opened at night by her lively maid
Jeanette, to throw suspicion aside.
But we never heard any more either Of .