The Louisiana populist., 1897-06-11
II haven't it, said Floretta.

anhbeginning to search her "busines.
pocket"
eyes, I know you did," said Flor
eta, "and I measured an eyelet by it
but I haven't seen it since"
A hurriedsearch 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,
sharply, you'd better be hunting TO,
that stud"
Floretta turned deep red at the
forewoman's manner, but began to do
as the rest were doing, turning over
rolls OF cloth, shaking out garments
and searching the floor inch by inch.
II don't believe it is in this room
at all" said sewer, who breathlessly
arose from prolonged dive under a
table.
81 don't know about that" reso
lutely answered Miss Hall. She
walked over to the speaking tube.
'Peter, she called, "ask Mr.. Chester
to come up here"
Mr.. Chester came. Miss Hall
talked with him in low voice for
some minutes. Floretta was extreme.
ly uncomfortable. She felt sure they
were talking about her; besides, the
other girls withdrew from her, eating
in haste and for the most part silent.
ly, or with only slight murmurs to one
another. She began to think she
didn't want any dinner after all. She
took off her hat and went to making
eyelet holes again. Mr.. Chester ap.
preached her.
"What about this stud?" said he
brusquely. Don't you think you
could find it by hunting q little
longer?"
Floretta looked at him in silence.
She did not know how to meet bis
words and manner. Her trembling
mouth aud fearful eyes were eloquent,
however, and Mr.. Chester softened
little.
"You see, said he, you're respon.
sible for it. You had it last Now.
if it got into your pocket-by acci.
dent, you know, or for saie-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. I thought
Miss Hall came and took it after l got
through measuring.
Miss Hall. terrified by the loss Of
the moonstone, uttered an angry ex-
clamation.
"Well, if that isn't impudence!" !"
said she. "Serves me right for tax.
lug girl without any reference; first
time l ever did it. tool Might have
known We should get in some light
fingered person!"
The gathering storm had broken;
the accusation had been put into
words. Fioretta started to her feet;
her eyes dried on the instant
"You asked me for no references:
l could have given you plenty" said
she, with dignity. anybody at
home will speak for me-the minister.
or the high school teacher or the
postmaster"
"How long will it take to hear
from them?" asked Miss Hall, sarcas.
tically ~ think" she added to Mr..
Chester, "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,
Indignantly.
Miss Hall gasped with resentment;
MIR. Chester looked puzzled.
"Have You made a very thorough
search, Miss Hall?" he asked.
"Very," she replied with emphasis.
He said no more, but with an anxious
brow left the room.
The girls who had been ont to din
ner returned. Crumbs were brushed
mp, the oil stove extinguished, hands
washed and work resumed. Floretta's
brimming eyes prevented much prog.
ress, and Miss Hall suddenly took
away her work and gave it to another
sewer. Dolly Burr could no longer