The Washington times., 1895-05-29
p Hun6n6al HitGh.
Copyright, 1ss5.)

exchanged cautiously by the score of wed
ding guests that were crowded into the lit
tie paror then il grew into murmur, and
finally Mrs. Weathersbee voiced the anxiety
of all present by openly asking the question
in bold, loud tones.
There was dead silence for moment
while every one turned in amazement on
the daring questioner. Mrs. Weathersbee,
aghast at the sensation she had caused,
shrank into a corner. Then, of one accord,
every one repeated the question to his
neighbor, and the nmTmur grew into an
excited chatter.
Philip Grand, the bridegroom-to-be, had
been pacing nervously up and down the
narrow front hall for the last half hour,
wat ching the stairs down which the bride
should long since have descended. The
flush OF red which had been gradually
spreading over his face now extended to
the very apex OF the bald spot on his head,
and his paper collar was beginning TO wilt
most woefully.
The village minister, most patient
man, sat calmly at one OF the front win
dows breathing in the fragrance which
floated through the open green shutters
from the lilac bush outside.
Some one ought 10 go up and see what's
the matter with Melissa" suggested one
of the women.
The idea was at once acted upon.
The committee of investigation was
headed by Mrs. Weathersbee, who had re-
gained her courage.
The story whose climax was being awaited
was well known 10 every guest present.
1t was simple, homely tale. For fifteen
years Melissa Jones ana Amanda Smith had
| lived together in the little cottage, earning
a modest income by what was known IN the
village as stitching, tIppers." They as
sisted I'm the anUfaC1TIa Of ahOeE
Both had been regarded as irredeemabIe
"old maids" For fifteen years Phillip
Grand had called regularly at their cottage
three times a week in his wagon to take their
work to and from the city shoe factories by
which they were employed. He had lived
in little house about a mile away with an
aged sister. Six months before the sister
had died, and then Phillip had increased his
visits to the cottage. Forsix months he had
regularly spent Sunday evenings with the
two old maids, sitting stiffly in the little
parlor and talking dHllyt on d limited num-
ber of subjects. His embarrassment had
only been equaled by that of the old maids.
Yet he continued to come.
The village gossips speculated much about
these visits and wonderc whether it was
Melissa or Amanda to whom his attentions
were directed. Melissa and Amanda won
dered just as much, but thSy said nothing,
not even to each other.
No one could have solved the riddle ex-
cept p Philip and he was too bashful to con-
fess that it existed, even to himself
At last, on one eventful Sunday evening,
Amanda was absent visiting a sick neigh
Dor. When she came home she found Me-
lssa blushipg furiously and was Informed
that Philip had proposed and had been ac-
cepted The wedding day, set for a month
from then, had now arrived.
When the committee reached the head of
the stairs they found the door leading into
Melissa's room shut. The first knock
brought no response. Neither did the Sec
ond.
Perhaps she's tainted" said one of the
committee.
"Try the door" said another.
The door was found to be locked.
Melissa, are you sick?' demanded Mrs.
Weathersbee.
A Tustling within the room convinced
the women that some one was surely NOV
ing behind that closed door.
why, Amanda must be with her," said
one of the Investigators
Amanda Amandal" called Mrs.
Weathersbee.
There was no reply, but just then a slip
of folded paper was showed out through
the keyhole, which had before been OBJ
structed from the inside.
Mrs Weathe rsbee took it and read there
on these words, written in lead pencil:
LET Mrs. Weathersbee come in alone"
Looks of blank amaZement, somewhat
tinged with disappointment, were visible
upon the faces of the other women, but
they fell back and told Mrs. Weathersbee
to go in.
1t was only five minutes before she came
back, but it seemed as many hours to the
waiting woman. They could hear Mrs
weathersbee talking, but could distinguish
no replies.
Mrs. Weathershee's face was a study
when she did appear. No time was lost in
studying her expression, though.
whats the natter"
Has anything happened?"
do tell US, quickF' were a few of the
questions rained upon her.
Its Amanda" said Mrs. Weathersbee.
"She's gone and she's taken Melissa's
false teeth with her. She must be found,
and at once, cause Melissa can't hardly
speak without them, an she looks like
! fright
The absurdity of the situation did not
strike the woman with full effect until 1t
was all over. The loss OF Melissa's teeth
seemed rather serious just then. The
guests were quickly informed, and a search
was at once begun for Amanda. She was
found sitting on the bank of a little brook
a few rods back of the house, idly looking
into the water. T.
Amanda, what are you doing here?"
/ demanded Mrs. Weathersbee.
Nothing" replied Amanda, looking
steadily into the water.
Have you got Melissa's teeth?" went
on Mrs. Weathersbee.
YES" said Amanda, defiantly.
Hand them to me at once"
Mrs. Weathersbee stepped up to the cul-
prit and held out her hand. She wasa wo-
| man accustomed TO being obeyed, and she
spoke in tone of authority.
Amanda hesitateda q moment, looked once
at her inQuisitor, once at the brook, and
finally drawing her hand from behind her
cast the missing teeth at Mrs. Weathers-
bees feet without word.
| A half hour later Melissa Jones, her eye
| lids red with weeping, but looking happy