The Portland daily press., 1892-09-24
UNJUST SUSPICION.

The Testers were not rich people.
Still they maintained a certain style
and kept up fashionable appearance
and lived as much like their friends and
neighbors, who were fortunate enough
to have an income double OF treble that
which they possessed, as possible.
In particular, Mrs. Lester had deter
mined at the outset that she would dress
4 as well as anybody, and by dint of care
full shopping and divers maneuvers
only known to people who, like the Les
ters, sacrifice everything to outward
show, accomplished her object and had
as many new bonnets, cloaks and dresses
as fashion deems necessary.
y, But the pride of Mrs. Testers heart
was vested in her diamonds. She had q
ring, pin, earrings and bracelets, handed
down, SO far as the stones went, from
Mr.. Testers family and reset for his
bride shortly after their wedding day.
On state occasions these were produced
to, enhance the splendor Of the lady's
dDQcdI dlG6y anu db Ot11OA piA1AOo WNA y
kept under watch and ward in casket
which was locked in box, the key OF
which, suspended from a ribbon, re-
posed day and night next Mrs. Testers
heart.
Without these diamonds, Mrs. Lester
often remarked, s.she would feel like
nobody"
Consequently, when Miss Arabella
Tiptop espoused Mr.. Augustus High
flyer, and the pair gave their grand re-
ception prior to their European tour,
Mrs. Lester donned her jewels and in
gala attire proceeded to make her call.
1t was formal affair and soon over,
and Mrs. Lester returned home antici-
pating no change in her domestic ar
rangements, but to her surprise the mo-
ment she entered the hall her eye
encountered, perched on the two hall
chairs, mammoth valise of dingy yell
low and a large basket with two
handles.
"sWhat are those, Bridget" she said
family. Bridget Uttered. M
tThey're luggage, num- she said.
you've got company, an onld gintle-
man and an ould lady. They're in the
back parlor, and they bid me say nothin,
bekase they'd like to give ye a pleasant
surprise"
"a pleasant surpriser' muttered Mrs.
Lester, and with anything but happy
expression OH her countenance she sailed
toward the back parlor.
There on either side of the fire sat an
old lady and gentleman-certainly very
clean and tidy and perfectly respectable,
but with as little pretense to fashion as
Noah and his wife.
Mrs. Lester summoned up smile.,
s.Aunt and Uncle Trotters, l declare"
she said.
81 kncwed you'd be astonished," said
the old lady. a.
"Well, how are you both?" said Mrs.
Lester.
"Oh, we're middlin, said theold lady;
tbut Aunt Jenkins, she's had rhe' matiz
q year, poor soul, and Toms children
have got the whoopin cough awful, and
Sary's boy tumbled off the barn, where
he hadn't no business to be, and put his
shoulder out, and Pete Brown, he's lost
three cows and a calf and half his
chickens"
Z After this remark there was pause.
The old gentleman broke it.
when thing has got to be got over,
it's best done. You won't be offended,
1hope, AugustaY'
"At What?' asked Mrs Lester.
"You see twas better'n not coming at
all, but we've got to run away right
after tea. My wife says, 'Lor, Timothy,
what will Gusty and her pardner think
of us after not bein to see 'em for a
year Says I, she'll excuse us, seein we
hain't no time, but have got to go by
the night train. Next time, says l, we'll
stay a week. Now you amt offended"
Mrs. Lester rang the bell.
"Take my cloak and bonnet up
stairs" she said to the girl, land tell
cook to have dinner early"
Then Mrs. Lester smiled and sat down
in all her splendor before the fire to
listen to accounts of the Smiths pigs
and Browns cow, and how Sally
Sprigg's help stole the best tablecloths,
until well known ring at the bell an
nounced Mr.. Lester. Thereupon his
lady for once played the affeetionate
wife and ran TO meet him.
AUNT and Uncle Trotters are here"
.he said.
Mr.. Lester scowled.
.Gracious heavens!" he calculated,
sand the Atwoods are coming to spend
the evening with us. They are stop
ping at the Fifth Avenue hotel for
few days
s"Uncle and aunt are going immedi-
ately after dinner" said Mrs. Lester,
sand fortunately I've ordered it early.
Don't be Gross, George, for. you know