Orange County observer., 1891-07-18
"I wish Mr.. Lane were al Ehome.m

train, in time for breakfast.
''If you feel uneasy, why no. get one
of your nephews to stay with you to-
night suggested her friend.
''Oh, it isn't necessary" she answered,
laughing. Il expect young Minor to be
in the parlor until eleven or twelve, per
haps, and after that Maasdc and must
look out for ourselves
but | thought her papa.objected to
the Young man ylsitsI" said Mrs. Cole
man, VINO, having been q schoolgirl
friend of Mrs. Lane, the two often ex-
changed family condolences.
"Well, yes, he has taken Il prejudice
to him on account OF what he calls his
dudishncss. though Maude insists THAT it
is only gentiemanly refinement, and |
agree with ner. At aay rate, | make u
point Of not interfering with them when
Mr. Lanes away; and MauGe insists that
II only she cuulu make ner father better
acquainted with Mr.. Minor, he would
earn to appreciate him. Bat whenever
Mr.. Lane comes in and finds him IN The
parlor, he's as gruff as a bear, and Mau1e
IS. or course, extremely worried"
son, dare say it will all come right
in the end Mrs Coleman said, cheeriIy.
And with a few more worcs.the friends
parted.
Pretty Miss Maude enjoyed her lovers
society tina. evening untroubled by the
apprehension that her papa might at any
moment walk into the room and heart
lessiy snub the unotfending Visitor.
She often wished that her father were
at least more considerate; for had he not
once cruelty lacerated her feelings by
observing that when he sav,a Young man
| parting his hair in the middle, he re-
| garded it as sure sign that. there was a
| lack of brains underneath
AS she knew how clever and sensible
Charlie really was; and had he not, this
very evening, on learning of their fear
| Of burglars, been self-sacrifcing enough
to sit up with them until past midnight,
when he could have been peacefully
sleeping at home2
When he had gone, Mrs. Lane laid
herself down in her dressing gown,
ready for any emergency; but the night
passed without any disturbance of any
kind.
Early on the following morning Mr..
Lane arrived from his Late business trip,
and at eigh; O'Clock the family repaired
to the breakfast room, where, with one
exception, the table was nicely laid.
"Why, Betty said her mistress );
'where is the silver.'
The girl stared
"surc, ma am, l thought you'd tuck
EN- out o. the coal scuttle. | went to
get EN-, and they weren there.
s.Not there? Why, | haven't been
near the scuttle; neither has Maude nor
Mr.. Lane.
All FASTENED to examine the lmpro
vised plate safe. 1t stood where t had
been left, at the head of the kitchen
stalls, but the cinders which it haI COZ.
tanned were scattered on the floor, and OF
the silver concealed beneath, there wa3
not sign.
Appalled, at the discovery, Ms. Lane
proceeded to look after her other hidden
valuabies. The mantlevase appeared al
right, until the plumy pampas and crys
talized glasses were removed, disclosing
within an utter vacuum.
The gold watch, the money aud tn
. jewelry had all disappeared.
"What could it mean, No possible
: explanation offered, and while they q!
stood staring blankly, the door bell rang
and Betty, who answered it, ha,tene.
back to say that Mr.. Minor wished to~se
| Mr. Lane on particular business.
: "Partic.lar business, indeed. growle
Maudc's papa, savagely- ''ffadnt /
sense enough to choose 4 more reasonap
y hour. Bat stay! I'll see him, for II
! sooner the business IS settled the be
ter
The two ladies anxouSly listened
the murmur of voices from the parlol
a The interview was brief, for present.
d Mr.. Lane came hurriedly back and PR
e ceeded to put on his hat aud overcoat.
r. 81 think we've got clue To the rot
}, bery, Emeline, he observed, Is he stgu.
gled into the latter garment. T.
young Minor tells ne that as ne w
!. passing here last night, he observed
bov hanging around the house, a
If thinking his manner suspicious, be spo'