Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-08-21


Mrs. Lester rang tie bell
Take my CLOAK snd bonnet up
stairs. she said - the giTl. AID tel
cook u k=-e dinner early
Then Airs. Lester smiled and sat down
IL al her splsndoT before the IRE 70
listen % accounts u the Smiths pigs
All Browns COW AID how Sally
sDriggs help stole The best tablecloths,
unul = wen known nEg al The bell an
u9unced Mr. Lester. Thereupon his
lAdy for once played the affecrionate
wife and ran u mes. him.
Aunt aad Un1ie Trotters are here"
sne said
Mr.. Lester scowlsd.
Gracious heavensiT he calculated,
land tho Aswoods ale coming 10 spend
the evening with US. They are stop
ping at the Fifth Avenue hotel for q
few days"
Uncle and aunt are going imnledi-
ately after dinner. said Mrs. Lester,
''and fortunately rve ordered it early.
DON'T Dc cross. George, for you know
they hay.A't chick OF child. and for az
their shasbiHess arc very well OF"
As far as an early dinner went Mrs.
Lester did her part; but tie Irotters
were slowgoing folk.
When al last tire bonnet strings We're
he'd and the gloves on. Aunt Trotters
! oethought her Of new cause for delay.
Poor Aunt Jenkins viii never forgive
ls II We don't take letter from you
she said. jest sOt down, Gusty, and
write line.
Mrs. Lester smiled down her indigna-
hon AMI sal down 10 pen the note.
The gilt edged paper, pens and ink
were arranged, thoughts collected and
polite sympathy for Aunt Jenkins rheu-
matism expressed. when Mrs. Lester
found the bracelet exceedingly in her
way, and impatiesltly unclasping it flung
it on the table.
IL was the first time the diamonds had
ever been treated with such contempt.
just as Mrs. Lester had turned the
page ring at the bell startled her.
She felt instinctively that the Atwoods
had arrived, wound up her letter with
regrets that fear of OBTAINING Aunt
and Uncle Trotters prevented her writ
ing at LENGTH folded it, sealed il,
crossed the room for an envelope and
returned 10 write the address-all with
as much speed as was consistent with
gentility-and finally mad the pleasure
OF receiving parting salute from the
irotters In the hall.
In moment more Mrs. Lester rolled
back the sliding doors and welcomed
her fashionable guests. There was no
vulgar sociability no warming up--every-
thing was cold and formal. In due sea-
son the waiter brought in wine and
cake and the party nibbled and slipped
little. Mrs. Lester played waltz; the
rest said, Charming" Mrs. Atwood
sang; her friends remarked, Lovely,
indeed"
Then Mrs. A. really must 60" and
the Testers must be sure to spend an
evening with them" and adieus were
said and the guests departed and Mrs.
Lester came 70 the fire yawning behind
her handkerchief. As she lifted her
arm Mr.. Lester uttered an ejaculation.
"Where Is your bracelet, Augusta"
MY bracelet? Oh, how stupid am!-
cried Mrs. Lester. Il took it off to
write 10 that tiresome Aunt Jenkins and
left it on the table in the back parlor."
And she arose 10 find it. In a mo-
ment she called out:
George, the bracelets goner'
| The gentleman came to her aid. They
searched the foor-the whole room
both rooms-all in vain. The bracelet
was gone.
1T has been stolen" said Mrs. Lester
Zone of the servants must have it."
said Mr. Lester.
/ Mr.. Lester rang the bell.
/ Sam. send all the servants here and
come yourself"
La five minutes the kitchen cabinet
appeared, looking as though storm
were brewing.
Mr.. Lester arose to address them.
Il have something very serious TO
say" be said. Il address everybody
( but cook; cook has not been up stairs
and cannot be suspected.
"A bracelet has been lost" said Mr..
Lester, clearing his throat; "a diamond
bracelet All Of you have been i'm the
back parlor. where it was left upon a
table. and all of you are consequently
implicated
At this a tumult equal to that of
Donnybrook fair arose.
''NOne Of US touched your bracelet"
and fists were shaken and language not
10 be recorded was used. In the midst
Of the tumult Mr.. Lester opened the
window.
Some one in brass buttons was pass
ing. and he called.
Policeman. step here a minute, IL
! you please. aud the next moment adj
/ mitted the official designated.
! Rage and tears were now mingled.
and amid the partial lull Mr.. Lester
explained
you make a charge against all of
'em. them said the policeman.
Certainly" said Mr.. Lester.
NO other mortal could possibly be
suspected" said the lady.