The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1886-04-16
THE STOLEN PEARS.

Young niece mel AioSe1 . - 49,
than usual.
..It is strange things should disap-
near so mysteriously biscuits from of
the table. fruit, if any happens to be
left it this room, and now my pears.
those prize so much. are beginning to
foiIox in the same manner. Are you
sure you have not touched them p
.Oulte sure. Aunt Ellen; you know
7 would not steal or tell an untruth
about il Christie replied firmly.
az do not know whether ought 10
believe you, and yet il seems impossible
a child having everything she desires
should help herself slyly. But then
children are so greedy" Miss Ellen ad-
ded grimly.
Christie flushed painfully, and her
blue eyes filed with tears OF wounded
pride. 1t hurt her that her aunt should
suspect her of having taken the fruit,
innocent as she was.
Mind l shall question the servants,
and unless matters are cleared, and on
nroved guiltless, I shall be obliged 10
nistrust your word" Miss Mayo con
tinued sharply, noting the shamed color
In her niece's cheeks
Christie sighed. and leaving her aun
alone, went into the garden, avoiding
that part oil the orchard where MISS
Ellen's pear trees stood.
Il wonder who has taken themI IL
is strange; and yet, how could any one
unused to our ways know Aunt Ellen
KENT her cakes and biscuits in that
room2 II is not surprising she blames
me-. the servants have been So long IN
the family, are all such steady old PEG
pie. while l am scarcely more than
stranger given into her charge" she
thought sadly.
As she still puzzled over this mystery,
the sound of stealthy footsteps coming
down the gravel path, fell on her ears,
making her shrink fearIully behind a
big tree.
Presently the form of a young girl,
robed in a neat print dress, emerged
from the screening trees.
Christie recognized ner in a moment;
il was the daughter OF poor woman
living in one of Miss Ellen's cottages,
who came daily 10 the house with fresh
eggs, or TO fetch needlework for her
mother.
Christie watched her curiously, noting
how cautiously the girl picked her way
through the shrubs, giving quick glances
around at every step.
She saw her peer into the long French
windows, leading to Miss Mary's own
morning room, then, satisfied, entered
a suspicion, gradually growing, rose
/ in ChrIstie's heart, and she waited
breathlessly for Hattie 10 appear.
She did not have long to wait. soon
the cottage girl crept noiseleSsly ou- OF
the window, and sped swiftly across the
path into the orchard.
Unable to resist her curiosity, Chris
tie moved quietly after her, taking care
to keep out of sight.
Peering through a screen OF greer
foliage, hidden well from view, she saw
Hattie pause beneath Miss Ellen's cher
ished pear tree, and gently shake SOM
of the luscious fruit 10 the ground.
Indignant, Christie started forward
and clutched Hattie's hand as II CLOSED
round one of the pears.
"Then it is you who are thief, ant
Amt Ellen never thought TO blsme you
How dared you stealinto our house ant
take things that did not belong TO you
Does your mother know how you 70
one who has always been so kind y
herr"
Hattie gave a little shrek of horror
and stood gazing at Christie open
mouthed, powerless to move or speak
Tell me, why did you do this
Il do not know. Oh, indeed, neye
! meant to steal IL mother knew sh
would kill mev' Hattie gasped at last.
Is il you also who have taken cake
and things continually from the sitting
: room?'
Yes" Hattie said humbly.
Ibid yon not know it was wrong
Onlv[to-day my aunt accused me
4 the thief, and should have suffered fC
I your guilt" Christie replied.
! 1T was such q temptation, ana
: thought the pears would never be mis-
: ed there are so many IN the orchard.
e but not like these. Ny aunt priz'
her fruit greatly, and lets no one bI
herself gather these"
II AS Hattie lifted her tear-dimn'ed ey,
an expression of Mortified [e pair eros
ed her face, and she olutched Christie
. dress with desperate force.
ooh, Miss Christie, here comes yol
aunt Please don't tell her 1t was wi
touched the pears! Let me go befo
she sees me.
thief" Christie murmured. shrinkiI
away from those clinging fingers.
- "She couldn't think that, miss; "
are her own niece; rather would s.
: suspect one Of her servants. Don't te
= Miss Christie-for my mothers sal
don't tell"
ly Christie felt her heart soften, and u
able to resist that pleading voice s
consented to Haiiie's prayer.
go, if you wish 10, and viii promi
not TO betray you; though, in retuI
YOU must also promise never 70 stt
= again"
= Indeed won't, if you will only fc
give me this once. Thank you. NJ
Christie. you are so good. Hat
cried fervently. lifting her face TO Chr
M tie.
Before Miss Ellen had time to arr
she had flown, leaving Christie 10 bs
her aunt's anger alone. for the ch
knew how impossible 1t was for her
V, escape
%" A triumphant smile wreathed VI
Mayo's thin lips as she advanced
re. wards her niece, Christie.
80, Miss Christie, / have caught '
in the act2 I'm not surprised thong
:. did have a better opinion of my siste
,C child than TO imagine her both Ii
and a story-te.lerlh she began stern
, gazing from the fallen fruit to Christi
IN flushed face.
~ Frha child looked mn a r,iead;rg 4