The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1897-05-14
THE LONDONDERRY SITTER.
.r haven't IL" said Floretta.

Yes, ! know you dlu, saiu rlOrettss,
"and measured an eyelet by it; but !
haven't seen 1t since"
A hurried search took place, In which
oil the girls present Joined.
Floretta stood ON the top stair, not
knowing whether to go or stay.
'Miss Simpson," said Miss Hall,
sharply, "you'd better be hunting for
that stud"
II don't believe it's In this room at
all," said sewer who breathlessly arose
from prolonged dive under table.
1T don't know about that" resolutely
answered Miss Hall. She walked over
to the speaking tube.
Peter" she called, task Mr.. Chester
to come up here"
Mr.. Chester came. Miss Hall talked
with him in a low voice for some min.
utes. Floretta was extremely uncom-
Portable. She felt sure they were 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
And it by hunting little longer?"
Floretta looked at him in silence. She
did not know how to meet his words and
manner. Her trembling mouth and
tcar-filled 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, You
know, or for safe-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 rs. thought Miss Hall
came and took it after got through
measuring"
Miss Hall, terrified by the loss of the
moonstone. uttered an angry excIama-
ton.
"Well, if that isn't impudence!" said
she. SERVES me right for taking girl
without any reference; first time, ever
did il, 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
1 ,,ax .,st, ,,1hr i'll sim
with dignity. Anybody at my home
will speak for me-the minister, OF the
high school teacher or the postmas-
ter"
How long will it take to hear from
them2" asked Miss Hail, sarcastically.
II Think" she added to Mr.. Chester,
1.-The quickest way will be to send for
the police and have her searched"
will 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 a 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 coul,i
hear me if you didn't try to talk while
I'm talkihg.-I shan't be home to din
ner. Did you hear me,then because
I've got 10 hunt up a customers stud.--
1t got lost in the workroom somehow.
I'm in a hurry. Good-by."
F1oretta was faint for want of food,
and she had received nervous shock
from the accusation uttered by Miss
Hall.
II feel sick. ought to go home,
she said to Dolly, who Immediately Of
fered to get glass Of water, to make a
cup of tea, to fix place for Floretta to
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 cores back snapped Miss Hall
SHOULD think you'd know better than
to propose such thing"
One by one the girls finished and
folded their work Those whose duty
1t was covered counters. shelves. tables
and machines with large. white cloths
even Dolly began to make preparations
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 and
tinkle that had been heard once before
that day, and Mrs. Chester burst upor
the scene, her voice preceding her.
Here's that horrld old moonstone
Peter says you're all making such I
fuss about" she cried. II fastened il
to my watch chain to see how it would
look as a pendant. and wore At home
and forgot all about it till you"-turn
ing to her husband-"spoke through the
telephone about lost stud!"
OF the sewing girls present, some
laughed, others exclaimed; Miss Hal
stiffly said she had already begun te
think she was mistaken about Miss
Simpson; Mr.. Chester gravely apollo
gized for his wife in the fewest word:
possible; Mrs. Chester exclaimed an6
explained; Floretta alone said nothing
She looked exceedingly white, how
ever, and Mr.. Chester called carriage
to take her to her boarding place. Dol
ly accompanied her. and, as the carriage
rolled away, explained: THE idea O
Mrs. Chester wearing that stud home
should think you'd be mad enough
at the feather-headed little thing t.
shake her!"
IT am too glad the moonstone II
, found to be mad at anybody" sale
Floretta-Housewife.
Poem By Whittier.
The following verse by John @. Whit
tier was recently found. written In an au
tograph album belonging to Mrs. Sarah A
Barber. Of Northwood. Mass. who ha