The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1890-01-16

seems 10 indicate that all women nave a
disposition to believe in the supernatural
for who among us has not ielt it.
She had just got to the top step when
she heard Kitty scream violently, and
heard something fall, Asshe rushed in
TO the room, she saw that ii was in dark
ness--Kitty had dropped her candle,
''Kitty!" cried her sister, "what is
the matterS"
sob, don't ask mel" walled Kitty.
sect match. Oh, oh, OH"
Matte CROPPED about, humping her
head against the bedstead, the wardrobe,
and her sisters head, before she found
| the matchbox. But il came to hand at
/ last, and then she struck light, found
the candle, and lighted it. Kitty sat on
the floor rocking to and fro and moan
ing,
''What is the matter, dear9' pleaded
| Matte.
"Ohl don't you see2" sobbed the
| sister, 'don't you seel"
And Matte, staring about her, did see,
The door of the red closet-the treasure
house where the collection for the yellow
fever sufferers had been locked up-was
wide open. Not only was the cash-box
gone, but the bundles of linen, stockings,
gowns, cloaks, and shawls also to be sent
South, had vanished, and pinned to the
door was large placard bearing these
words, written in blue pencil:
"Thank you for making it so easy for us.
We didn't have a might of trouble, and a
whole hour to help ourselves, We had quite
little lunch, too out of the buttery. Good
bye! BURGLARS"
"Kitty," said Matte, "don't you al
most wish we were dead2"
81 do, said Kitty. "Why, it seems
to me that to face pa tomorrow will be
more than l can stand
at isn't facing him so much" said
Matte, 'sthough that is hard; but what
an injury we've doue him. He'll have to
face the congregation and tell that story.
He'll have to make it up out of his saw
ings. Poor pa! Oh, oh, OH and all
because I went over to the Dusenbury's
for nasty little paper pattern l could
have done without--all my fault, all
minew
"No DEAR" said Kitty. ~ didn't
know you went out before; but l was
away a whole hour, over at the post
office. l met Selina's mother, and she
had lot to say, and they hadn't fixed
the letters, so you see, left the front
door unguarded. did it. They came
in at the front door. Oh, dear, dear,
dear, dear! What wicked girl l am"
elbow wrong of both of u.s." said
Matte. "Now, if I'd just spoken to
you--"
''Or to you," said Kitty. Then both
began to cry again. "If we had anything
to SELL SAID Kitty, ''if we could save it
any way, if we had jewelry! Oh! I'd go
out to service-Td go into a factory to
earn it. But ma wouldn't let us-oh"
eff we took poison we wouldn't cost
any more; it would save money!" said
Matte.
"Pshaw our funerals and the disgrace,
and they'd feel SOL" sobbed Kitty.
"Old Moses Patch asked me to marry
him once l really think I'll go and tell
him will if he'll give me as much as has
been stolen, right away" said Matte.
"Mr Patch is engaged to Widow Bur-
ridge, Selinas mother told me that to-
day." said Kitty. 'No; we can't do any
thing. But what does it matter about
us, when dear pa will have to suffer for
our conduct--dear, dear pal"
Again the girls sobhed, and it was
nearly two o'clock at night before drowsi
ness fell upon them, and they went sadly
! across the entry to their own room, where
they cried themselves to sleep.
Kitty awoke first, and began to cry
again. Matte, aroused by the sounds,
sat up and looked about her.
81 feel as if all life had altered" said
She
$50 do l" said Kitty. 81 don't want
to get up"
81 suppose we must" said Matte.
She arose and dressed herself and went
downstairs. Hardly had she lighted the
fire, when she heard feet upon the garden
path. She looked up and saw her father
approaching, and cried out:
"Home so early. Why, pa" then
threw her apron over her face and began
to sob.
"Why, what's the matter, Mattie?"
asked Mr.. Farley.
ooh, pal" said Matte, 81 can't tell
youn'
Anything the matter with ma OF
anybody" he asked
"No, thank goodness" SAID Matte :;
"but, pa, it is the very worst thing next
to that that could happen
"The money!" said old Farley.
At this moment Kitty appeared at the
door.
''Yes, pa" said she, ''and all my fault.
Il.ent to the postoffice and left the front
door open.
"And I went to the Dusenburys', and
lott the back door open, said Matte.
81 stayed an hour" said Kitty.
$50 did I, said Matte.
"Well, said old Farley, "I'll say for
you you don't try to cast blame one on
t'other, and you don't tell fbs.
II wish you could sell us for slaves and
take the money" said Kitty.
"Slavery times are over" said Farley,
cor l could back you up and do that.
Well, gals, I'll look pretty, won't 1,
tcllin' this to the folks in church, I'll
. look real smart, and feel so, too. I'll
hev to sell the three acre lot to raise the
amount, guess, and all because trusted
IA couple of gals. Why, | thought your
mas daughters and mine would hev a
little common sense born into EN-, but
you hada't, it seems"
"No," said Kitty, 81 haven't"
81 haven't either said Matte.
"Well, come upstairs and let's see
whether you haven't made no mistake, u