Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1896-05-09
The Stolen Ring.
BY HELEN +. GRAVES.

Gracefully bowling, little Rachel
said: i've brought home the
young lady's bonnet, miss, please.'
"Oh, it's the milliner's apprentice,
is it ~ said Green, the parlor girl.
"Just step in the hall, and wait a
minute. Miss MadisoH's own maid
will be down directly. We're hav-
ing quite state of things UPSTAIRS
Green added, bustliug around to
fasten up a wholly white poodle
which had contrlved to snap the
links of his gilded chain. "Miss
Madison has had a diamond ring
stolen. And they sent for detective
gentleman, and Miss Madison's I'M
Gle from Wall street. And missus
has had Mysteries, and the doctor is
there giving her drops; and the cook
says, up and down, she won't stay
in no family where the help is sus-
pected.'
"Dear, dear ~ said little Rachel,
opening her blue eyes, as round as
two marbles.
And as Green hurried away in
answer to a shrill summons from
above, she looked timidly around
her.
She was always pleased to be sent
to the Madison house. 1t was her
ideal of Aladdin's palace--of the
beautiful mansions whersin dwelt
the heroines Of song and story.
When she described it to the little
zones at home, after her days work
was over, they could scarcely credit
its splendors.
There was circular hall, with
rallied gallery, extending around the
second story, and a dome of white
and amber glass overhead, and a
great bronze statue of some tabled
warrior kept guard on horseback in
the middle of the marble floor.
There was deep fireplace, lined
with china tiles, where fire of scent
ed logs blazed on tall fire dogs of
polished brass +; deep plush easy
chairs were drawn up beside it, and
a pair of monster Japan vases, which
reached up to Rachels shoulders,
were always fell, whether the Feb
ruary SHOWS carpeted the outside
world or the March winds shook the
easements, OF delicious, half blown
roses, with long stems and satiny,
shiny leaves.
For the life of her, she would not
have dared to go up and smell of
them or to touch their perfumed pet.
ais but she stood afar off and breath
ed in their sweetness, and looked at
their tinss of pearl and pink like
humble worshipper of Che beautiful.
Miss Madison has new paro.
quet," she thought. II never saw
that little beauty in the gold cage
before"
Adrienne, the French maid, came
hurrying down directly tall, bold
looking young woman, with jaun-
ty cap perched in the midst of her
black braids, and loops of cherry
ribbon on her white muslin apron.
She had an absent expression on
her face, and looked at Rachel aa if
her mind was preoccupied with
something else, and she did not see
the girl.
cts the reception bonnet, miss,
please explained Rachel with a
courtesy.
sob, the bonnet |" said Adrienne.
s'You work people are always COM
ing at the wrong time. Oh, yes, /
dare say it is all right7 But" with
sudden, smiling assumption of in
terest syon are wet. 1t rains, and
you will take cold. Take off your
shawl, and come to the fire and dry
yourself.
"Oh, no, ma'am-thanks - said
little Rachel, reaching out for the
shawl which Adrienne had officious-
ly removed, and resisting efforts to
lead her to the fire. at don't rain !;
it only mists a little.
"But it does rain sharply spoke
Adrienne, giving the girls faded
skirts shake as she spoke. aDon t
you see the drops +? Well," with a
shrill laugh, elf you don't choose to
dry yourself, the fault is your own u
81 was to return as soon as DO SSH
! BILE, ma'am,' said little Rachel, rath
er embarrassed by all this extra at.
tention. "If Miss Madison was
| suited
| Adrienne caught up the bandbox
] which Ranhn} hod haId I'll 41:- g..