Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1889-10-31

ing that night. / thought never
should get her settled to her satisfac-
ton, and in the midst OF 1t I re mem
bered that had left the jewel casket
downstairs. Suppose that she should
happen to take a fancy to inspect it. as
she often did ut night / trembled at
the idea.
Fortunately, however, she did not,
and crept quietly down stairs after
she was asleep.
Jack was asleep, too, lying in an un-
consciously graceful attitude, with his
cheek pillowed against his arm, and
there where l had left it, after we had
both admired the antique ornaments,
was the leather case on the dresse r
shelf.
Thank goodnessv' said to myself,
as | put it back into the chiffonier
drawer and noiselessly turned the key.
sat beside Aunt Cadgett's bed that
night catching what scraps and frag-
ments of sleep could, for her rheuma-
tism racked her Hereby. and she was
to take her medicine every two hours.
And when l woke in the early morn
ing she was sweetly sleeping, the sun
shine streaming cheerily across the
floor, and Jack was gone.
Dora" said Mrs. Cadgett to me
the next day, bring me my jewel
box"
obeyed. thinking but little of the
order.
open it," said the old lady.
l opened it. There was only the
faded lining with its worn compart-
ments Not q trinket remained. L gave
a great start
"Oh!" l cried, where are the
jewels?"
81 suppose you haven't stolen 'empn
said Mrs. Cadgett.
"I?"
Nor old Owen?"
"Of course not" ..a
mo one else has been in the house?"
l looked at Mrs. Cadgett. She look
ed at me with eyes that glittered like
piercing dagger points. fell, sobbing,
on my knees, and buried my face in
the bedclothes.
Jack has been here" said l. "He
slept in the kitchen that rainy night.
He saw the jewels. was trying them
on. Oh! Aunt Cadgett, it was very
wrong and wicked of me, but | meant
no harm! Oh! I'm quite, quite sure Of
that! And if any one has stolen your
Jewels"
mo one has stolen them, child"
said Mrs. Cadgett, with a sort of low,
chuckling laugh. They're safe here,
under my pillow, where l put them
that night after you brought them up
here. managed somehow to take the
key out Of your dress pocket and hobble
to the chitfonier after you were asleep.
| knew there was man down stairs,
had heard his voice, and | thought my
treasures would be safest under my
own hand. Besides, | couldn't bear
the idea of having u sly traitor in the
house. You haven't been sly, Dora;
you have been confessing it all. Don't
cry, little girl; | forgive you"
"But | don't deserve to be forgiven!"
| sobbed out. 81 have been sly. Give
your jewels to Jemima Cadgett, please
give her everything!'
Mrs. Cadgett smiled and shook her
head.
Now" said she, tell me all about
this Jack"
And | told her, and she comforted
me with words OF sympathy and kindly
| caresses, such as l never had expected
to receive from her.
That was last year. Jack and were
married month ago, and Aunt Cad
gett's wedding gift to me was the
leathern case of jewels. Jack is to be
overseer of the great Cadgett orange
orchards down in Florida, and Miss
Jcmima says she don't care straw
who wears the jewelled dagger and the
amethyst necklace, SO long as Aunt
Cadgett is suited. She is so good
about it. And as soon as Aunt Cadgett
is able to be moved we are all going to
| Florida together.
And am SO happy! But Jack and
Aunt Cadgett both say I deserve it. -
Shirley Browne, in the Fireside Com.
| pahiOn