Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1896-04-24
THE STOLEN RING.
BY HELEN FoRRET GRAVES.

tice. is itY said Green, the pal"r
girl. Just step in the hail. and
walt a minute. Miss Madlson'S
own maid will be down directly.
We're haylug quite state OF
things UPSTAIRS Green added.
bustling around to fasten up
woolly white poodle which hal
coutrived to snap the links ot bis
gilded chain. Miss Madison has
had a diamond ring stolen And
they've sent far a detective gen'lr-
man. and Miss MadIsOn's uncl
from Wall street. And miSSuN
has had Mysteries, and the doctor
is there giving her drops; and the
cook says, up aud down, she won't
stay in no family where the help Is
suspected.'
Dear, deAlr said little R ichel,
opening her blue eyes, as round AZ
two marbles.
Aud as Green hurried away, mi
answer to "A shrill summons from
above, she looked timidly around
her.
She was always pleased to b.
sent to the Madison house, II was
her ideal of Aladdin's palace-oi
the beautiful mansions whereln
dwe't the herolues of song and
story.
When she described it to the
little ones at home, after her days
work was over, they could scarce
ll credit it's splehdOrS.
There WAS a circular hall, with
rallied gallery, extending around
the second story. and a dome OF
white and amber glass overhead,
and ii great bronze statue OF some
fabled warrior kept guard on horse
back in the middle of the marble
floor.
There was a deep fireplace, lined
with china tiles, where a fire OF
scented logs blazed on TAIL fire.
dogs of polished brass; deep pln-h
easy chairs were drawn up beside
1t. and pair Of monster Japan
vases. which reached uptO RtchePs
shoulder, where always full.
whether the February SHOWS c'r
peted the outside world or lhf
VI .rch winds shook the easements
o. delicious, half blown roses, with
long s'ems and satlny, shiny
leaves.
For tn. life Of her, she woulc
not have dared 10 60 up and smel
of them, OF to touch heir perfume'
petals; but she stood altar of anC
brearhed in their sweetues>, ant
look d ar their tint~ of pearl aud
pink like bumblr wOrshiper o
he beautiful.
Miss Madison has new pa'o
0net.' she thOnghr. Il never s'0
hat little beauty IN the gold Gag
nefOre.'
Alrienne, the French maid, can
hu,Iying down direcr'y-a tall
= bOld-iooSing young woman, with
janntS cap pc ched in the midst o
her black braid1, aud loops @
cherry ribbon on her white musll
! apron.
She had an absent expression O
her face, and looked at X ichel a
} if her mind MAS preoccuppled wit
something else and sue did NJ
D see the girl.
! 'I1s the reception. .bOnuet, mis-
= pIease,' explained Rachel, with
courtesy.
'Oh the bonnet = sail Adrienn
S 'You work.peopIe are always cou
ing at the wrong time. Oh, yes,
dare say tis all right Bhi,' vii
' sudden, smiling assumption
interest, you are vet. 1t ram
and you will take cold. Take
your shawl, and come to the Il
and dry YOURSELF
- 'Oh, no, ma'am-thanks! sa
little Rachel, reaching out for tt
shawl which AdrIenne had OIL
ousIy removed, and resisting effOr
e. lead her to the fire, 1T doI
rain; II only mIsts llttIe.'
,. 'But it does rain,' sharply spo
IN Adrienne, giving the girls fad'
p. skirt a shake as she spoke. 'DOO
e. you see the dropSi WeIl,' with
le shrill laugh, If you don't choose
dry y ourself, the fault is your oS