The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1897-06-18

Ia
that stud"
Il don't believe it's in this room NJ
all, said a sewer Tho breathlessly ar,,sa
from prolonged dive under a table
Il don't know about that" reSoIuteIv
answered Miss Hall She walked over
TO the speaking tube.
Peter" she called, TASK Mr.. Chester
TO come up here"
MT Chester came Miss Hall talked
with him IN low voice for some min
utes- FloTetta was extremely uDcom-
Portable. She felt sure they were talk
ing about her; besides, the other girls
withdrew from her. eating in h;S1., and
Tor the most part silently. or with only
slight murmurs TO one another. She
began TO think she diIin't want any din
ner after all She took OFF her hat ami
went 10 making eyelet holes again. Mr..
Chester approached her
Nv hat about this stud? said he
brusquely. Don't you think YOU could
find II by hunting little lOnger?"
Floretta looked at him In silence. Sh,.
dld not know how TO meet his words and
manner. Her trembling mouth and
tear-hlled eyes were eloquent, however.
and Mr. Chester ssoftened little
on see, said he, you're response
BILE for it, You had it last. Now. if II
got INTO your Pocket-by accident. Won
know, or for safe-keeping-all you've
got To do Is 10 hand il out. Save lois of
trouble"
haven't il" said Floretta u don't
know where il rs. l thought Miss Hail
came and took IL after L got through
measuring"
Miss Hall, terrified by the loss of the
moonsto<e, uttered AL angry excIan,a-
tion.
We'll, if that isn't impudence." said
she. SERVES me right for taking a girl
without any reference; first time. ever
did II, too, Might have known ".
SHOULD get in some light-fingered per
SON."
The gathering storm had broken: the
accusation had been put into words.
tLoretla started to her feet; her ewes
dried on the instant
You asked NE for no references;
could have given you plenty" said she.
with dignity Anybody at my home
viii speak for me-Jhe minister. OF the
high school teacher OF the IostInas-
ter"
How long will il take to hear from
them?" asked Miss Hall. sarcasticalIy.
Il think" she added 10 Mr. Chester.
the quickest way Will be 10 send f5r
the police and have her searohed'
VIII You turn your pocket inside
out?' asked Mr.. Chester.
Not unless adj the other girls do and
Miss Hall, too" replied FIoretta, 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.
lie 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:
r lossie- Flossie, Is that you2 -
slant be home TO dinper-You could
hear me if you didn't try 10 talk whil,.
I'm talking shan't be home TO din
nar- Did you hear me then BecauS, ,
I've got To hunt up a customers stud
II got lost in the workroom somehow
I'm in a hurry. Good-by''
NAt-A va AaAAA AoE NhllA Sl loN-l-
and she had received u nervous shock
from the accusation uttered bE Miss
Hall
Il feel sick l ought To go home
she said TO Dolly, who Immediately Of
fered to get glass of water, 10 make a
cup OF tea, 10 fix place for Floretta TO
lie down. and Gumberless other things.
But Floretta rose reluctantly and
moved toward Miss Hall.
IF you have no more work for me.
think / viii go home" she said
No, you can't go home till Mr.. Ches-
ter comes back snapped Miss Hall
should think you'd know better than
to propose such a thing"
One by one the girls finished and
folded their work Those whose duty
il 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 flew the same rustic and
tinkle that had been heard once before
that day, and Mrs. Chester burst upon
Here's that horr:d old moonstone
Peter says you're all making such a
fuss about" she cried. Il fastened il
to my watch chain to see how il would
look a pendant, and wore ii home,
and forgot all about il till you''-turn-
ing to her hushand-''spoke through the
telephone about a lost studi"
OF the sewing girls present, some
laughed. others exclaimed; Miss Hall
stiffiy said she han already begun to
think she was mistaken about Miss
5 SimPson; Mr.. Chester grayely apollo
yized for his wife in the fewest words
possible; Mrs Chester exclaimed and
explained; Floretta alone said nothing.
She looked exceedingly white, how
.ver, and Mr.. Chester called a carriage
o take her to her boarding place Dol
v accompanied her. and, as the carriage
,olled away. exclaimed: The idea OF
Mrs. Chester wearing that stud home,
should think you'd be mad enough |
It the fe.ther-headed little thing TO
hake her."
II am too glad the moonstone is
ound TO be mad at anybody" said
q PukzIer.
In many parts of South Africa rail-
ways are comparatively a neWtdePar-
in a Rsra-