Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1889-07-04


obstinate key how l got a feather and
fabricated it with machine oil how I
pushed and pulled, and turned and
twisted, and resolved over and over
again never to meddle with what was
no business Of mlnel-untll, all Of q
sudden. without the slightest notice, the
key gave a little spasmodic quiver in
the lock and the lid few up.
Over I fell, with shrek like those
OF Bluebeard's wife.
At the same moment the door behind
opened. and in walked my sister Beu-
lab, old Mrs. Dawson, and tall, fine
looking young man, with a silk-brown
moustache and dark eyes, that, in the
one glance got Of them, seemed full Of
suppressed laughter.
scrambled awkwardly to my feet
and backed into the nearest corner,
heartily wishing myself a mouse, a bee'
tie, a buffalo.moth, or any Of those con.
veniently. constructed creatures that
can disappear into the crack of a floor
and hide from human sight.
Gracious NE, Lefty what's the mat
ter?' cried Beulah. 'And how came
the trunk open?'
This is the very trunk said the tall
young man, initiated 'C'-for Carson,
you know
'And l hope no one'll never accuse
me of stealing human bones no more,'
SAID Mrs. Dawson, unfolding prodig-
ious white pocket handkerchief, as if
prepared to burst into tears at the short.
est notice.
'It's-its full of bones' I grasped.
Certainly assented the young man.
1t would be decidedly awkward to car.
ry my Office skeleton through the street
on the top Of load Of furniture, so /
disarticulated 1t and packed it into this
trunk. But how it came to be deliyer.
ed here l cannot imagine, unless it was
through the stupidity of the truckmen..
Then I began to giggle anew.
What would Mrs. Dorchester have
said, Beulah,' 1 whispered, If she had
known that there was skeleton over
her head for all this week? Or old
Mrs. Dussaude p
The young doctor exchanged amused
glances with me, he laughed low. But
Mrs. Dawson stared steadily into her
pocket handkerchief, and Beulah look
ed as grave as tombstone. I knew l
was behaving very badly, but what
could do?
I'm sorry opened the trunk, said
I, but was go dreadfully, awfully Gu
rious to know what was in it.
Believe, Miss Barry, said the young
DOCTOR. shall not prosecute YOU
1T was very wrong Of Lefty said
solemn Beulah'
I'm always doing something wrong,
said I, disconsolstely.
But 1t was so very thoughtful Of you
said the doctor to Beulah, to remem.
Der that this trunk might possibly be-
long to me. 1t sets all the little COM
plications at rest at once
And you won't give up Mrs. Daw-
sons rooms now?' said Beulah, who
always thinking Of other people.
Most assuredly not said Doctor Car
son.
But after they had gone away. went
up to my room and cried.
The idea OF being caught-1, grown
up young woman-opening trunks with
bunch of false keys on the slyI
And l could not be comforted until
DR.. Carson laughed ME out of my scru-
pies and modification.
He came often to the house to call
afterward. He said he owed so much
to Beulah
suppose the skeleton was valuable,
but he needn't have made SO much fuss
about it, thought.
And one 'iay when I was feeling very
cross and miserable, Beulah came to
me.
Lefty said she. guess what Doctor
Carson asked ME today
1T would require ro fortune-teller
to guess said I He asked you to
marry him, and he has made wise,
wise choice I
And hugged and kissed her ten
derby.
What nonsense! said Beulah-'and
1 five years older than he at the very
least. No, dear little Lefty; he asked
me if l thought you would be wiling
to endure the trials and priyations of IL
young doctors wife.
And did you say yes" cried, col
oring like rose.