Evening star., 1895-03-16

said I couldn't, and then lost it, and
was going to get the new ring to put IN the
box, SO she wouldn't ever know. I'm going
right home and tell her."
Matilda looked at her. Comfort Pease,
didn't you ask your mother?" said she.
Comfort shook her head.
"Then," said Matilda, solemnly. wed
better go home just as quick as we can.
We won't wait for any stage coach. know
my mother wouldn't want me to. S'pose
your mother should die, or ANYTHING. be-
fore you have a chance to tell her, Com
fort Pease. l read story once about a
little girl that told lie and her mother
died and she hadn't owned up. 1t was
dreadful. Now, you get right on the sled
and I'll drag you as far as the meeting
house. and then you can drag me as far
as the sawmill.''
Comfort huddled herself up on the sled
In miserable little bunch and Matilda
dragged her. Her very back looked CEN
serious to Comfort. but finally she turned
around.
and they pestered you dreadfully," said
she. Don't you cry any more, Comfort.
Just you tell your mother all about it. and
don't believe she'll scold much. You can
ring, anyway. If she'll let you.'
The road home from Bolton seemed
much longer than the road over had done,
although the little girls hurried and drag
ged each other with fierce jerks. Now"
said Matilda, when they reached her house
at length, 'Tll go home with you while
you tell your mother If you want me to,
see her head in the window. Ill run In and
ask her.
"rd just as lief go alone. I guess" re-
piled Comfort, who was not crying any
more, but was quite pale. Pm real
obliged 10 you, Matilda.
'Well. I'd just as lief go as not, If you
want me to-" said Matilda. Il hope your
mother won't say much Goodbye, Com
fort
"Good-bye," returned Comfort.
Then Matilda went into her house, and
Comfort hurried home alone, down the
snowy road in the deepening dusk She
kept thinking of that dreadful story which
Matilda had read. Anxiety and remorse
and the journey to Bolton had almost ex-
hausted poor little Comfort Pease. She
hurried as fast she could, but her feet
felt like lead and it seemed to her that she
should never reach home. But when at last
she came in sight of the lighted kitchen
windows her heart gave joyful leap, for
she saw her mothers figure moving be-
hind them, and knew that Matilda'S story
was not true in her case.
When she reached the door she leaned
against it a minute. She was out of breath
and her knees seemed failing under her.
Then she opened the door and went in.
Her father and mother and grandmother
were all there and they turned and stared
at her.
Comfort Pease." cried her mother.
"What is the matter?"
"You didn't fall down or anything. did
you?" asked her grandmother.
Then Comfort burst out with great sob
of confession. 'I-took-it," she gasped.
'I took my gold ring that Aunt Comfort
gave me for her name-and-I wore it to
school. and Miss Tabitha pinned it in my
pocket, and lost it. And Matilda she gave
me the gold dollar her Uncle Jared gave
her to buy me another. and we walked a
mile and a half apiece to Bolton to buy 1t in
Gerrish's and 1 couldn't-and I was afraid
something had happened to mother. and
I'm sorry" Than Comfort sobbed until her
very sobs seemed failing her.
Her father wiped his eyes. Don't let
that child cry that way. Emily" said he to
Mrs. Pease Then he turned to Comfort
Don't you feel so bad, Comfort" he coax
ed. "father'n get you some peppermints
when he goes down to the store tonight"