The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1897-04-22
81 haven't it." said Floretta.

you, Sdlu MISS T1dil III u uOTFlHcu VOFCcS
getting up in a violent hurry and begin
ming to search her business pocket"
Eyes, know you did," said Floretta,
land I measured an eyelet by It; but I
haven't seen it SINCE"
A hurried search took place, in which
all the girls present joined.
Floretta stood on the top stair, not
knowing whether to go or stay.
"Miss Simpson," said Miss Hall,
you'd better be hunting for
that stud"
81 don't believe it's in this room mt
ALL" said sewer who breathlessly arose
from prolonged dive under table.
II don't know about that" resolutely
answered Miss Hail. She walked over
to the speaking tube.
Peter" she called. TASK Mr.. Chester
to come up here"
Mr.. Chester came. Miss He'll talked
with him in a low voice for some min
utes. Floretta was extremely uncom-
Portable. She felt sure they we're talk
ing about her; besides. the other girls
withdrew from her, eating in haste and
for the most part silently, or with only
slight murmurs to one another. She
began to think she didn't want any din.
ner after all. She took off her hat and
went to making eyelet holes again. Mr..
Chester approached her.
what about this stud?" said he,
brusquely. Don't you think you could
find it by bunting little longer?"
Floretta looked at him in silence. She
did not know how to meet his words and
manner. Her trembling mouth and
tear. filed eyes were eloquent, however,
and Mr.. Chester softened little.
"You see," said he, you're RESPONSE
BILE for it. You had it last. Now, If it
got into your pocket-by accident, yon
know, or for sate-keeping-all you've
got to do Is to hand it out. Save lots of
trouble"
II haven't it." said Floretta. II don't
know where it is. thought Miss Hall
came and took it after l got through
measuring"
Miss Hail, terrified by the loss of the
moonstone, uttered an angry exclama'
ton.
well, if that isn't impudence!" said
she. SERVES me right for taking girl
without any reference; first time ever
did it, too! Might have known we
should get in some light-fingered per-
son!"
The gathering storm had broken; the
accusation had been put into words.
Floretta started to her feet; her eyes
dried on the instant.
"You asked me for no references; !
could have given you plenty" said she,
with dignity. Anybody at my houne
will speak for me-the minister, or the
high school teacher or the postmas.
ter"
How long will it take to hear from
them?" asked Miss Hall, sarcastically.
II Think" she added to Mr.. Chester,
"the quickest way will be- to send for
the police and have her searched"
"Wfll you turn your pocket inside
out?" asked Mr.. Chester.
"Not unless all the other girls do and
Miss Hall, too." replied Floretta, indig
nantly.
Miss Hall gasped with resentment
Mr.. Chester looked puzzled.
"Have you made thorough search
Miss Hall?" he asked.
"Very," she replied with emphasis
He said no more, but with an anxious
brow left the room.
Downstairs Mr.. Chester went to the
telephone and rang up his wife, who
by this time had reached home; and this
is what Peter heard:
"Flossie-Flossie, is that you? -
shan't be home to dimer-You could
hear me if you didn't try to talk while
I'm talking.-I shan't be home to din
ner. Did you hear me then?-Because
I've got to hunt up a customers stud
It got lost in the worlzroom somehow
I'm in a hurry. Good-by."
Floretta was faint for want OF food
and she had received a nervous shook
from the accusation uttered by Mis-
Hall.
II feel sick. I ought to go home,
she said to Dolly, who Immediately OF
fered to get glass of water. to make 6
cup of tea, to fix a. place for Floretta t.
lie down, and numberless other things
But Floretta rose reluctantly and
moved toward Miss Hall.
"If you have no more work for me.
think / will go home," she said.
mo, you can't go home till Mr.. Ches
ter comes back" snapped Miss Hall
SHOULD think you'd know better thar
to propose such thing"
One by one the girls finished ant
folded their work. Those whose duty
it was covered counters, shelves, tables
and machines with large, white cloths
even Dolly began to make preparation
for leaving. Conscious of innocence
Floretta felt no fear, and even wondered
what the next development would be.
Her wonder was quickly satisfied
! Up the stairs few the same rustic ant
tinkle that had been heard once before
! that day, and Mrs. Chester burst upoI
the scene, her voice preceding her.
Here's that horrid old moonston'