Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1898-02-12


II really was too dreadful
Once at the jewellers. IL wa hard
work to watch Aunt Abigail as tray
after tray of the glittering stones Was
placed before them. aud she became
more and more absorbed in choosing
q pin.
Suddenly she noticed a puzzled look
come into the face of the clerk who
was waiting on them. and he began
counting the pins in the tray
before him. II seemed for moment
as il her heart stopped beating. and
she turned first scarlet and then dead
ly white as she saw him shove the
tray hastily into case. and calling
another clerk. asked him 20 finish the
sale.
why. what's the matter. dearieP'
asked Miss Abigail. You look a n
you had seen a ghost.
oh. auntie." cried Marguerite,
softly. under her breath. some one
has taken a pin, II they would only
put IL back quick before the other
clerk gets here II might not be found
ont Oh. a1ntie. I shall die, What
shall we 10: II they find the pin on
anyone it will he an everlasting dis
grace. and they viii be sure TO search
Us. auntie-thev Will be sure 20 search
us"
The imploring violet eyes raised 70
Miss Abigail ought 20 have melted the
heart of the stoniest criminal. bnt she
only whispered back. while n sudden
color famed up ia her oUn faded
cheeks and her teeth shut hard
~ guess they won't find IL on me.
and amt going e. be search "a
neither
"Oh. auntie. dear auntie. begged a
Whispering voice. do do be quick
What does the childmeans- echoed
the old LAZY. under her breath. while
the clerk seeing the evident fright and
worry I'm the faces before him. began
regarding them with startled suspicion.
VIVA, ~
But before she could go further Mr.
Park one Of the proprietor. came
forward, quietly saying
Come Yhis way. ladies. please"
The two followed him 20 his private
Office. and once there. the younger one
raised quivering face 20 his saying
May 1 speak wien YOU moment
entirely alone. pleese2 And viii y0u
telephone AR Charles Van Essen 10
come here a. ouces'
With pleasure. was the polite re-
spouse James. turning 20 clerk
telephone Mr. Van Essen. And now
will Won come here. Mrs Van Esseng''
The two disappeared before Miss
Abigails bewildered ewes uto az inner
Office
For mercy's sake calculated that
Mortified lady 1t can't be, II
just can't he little Marguerite on 4
take that PIN
Then the sound OF pleading voice
came 70 her through the door. that
had not quite latched:
Il am perfectly willing 10 pay for il
/ If Won only won't prosecute
Goodness sighed the aghssi
/ listener
"Kleptomaniac she cant help TAX
ing little things. driited through TIA,
door
Horrible, too horrible" com
mented Miss Abigail
"Only wait until Mr.. Van Esser
comes He doesn't know about it,
continued the voice inside. lat leas
l N not sure that he knows
Don't he" cried the Mortified bu
loving aunt, outside Then he nevei
| shall ," Without hesitation she opened
the door and rushed in
Here. Mr. Storekeeperr" sh,
cried; don't say another word about
that diamond I'm perfectly willin.
70 pay for It, Just make out YOU
bill, and I'll give you A check. There
there, Margie. petty Auntie know
it'll never happen again; and don
you cry SO. dearie,' for Marguerite
when Aunt Abigail offered 20 pay 70
the missing gem, gave little cry O
dismay and began sobbing violently
The proprietor looked IN puzzle,
surprise from one lady 10 the other
Certainly Miss Abigail was the mos
Straightforward thief he had eve
seen; bat before he could accept he
offer Mr. Van Essen walked in
Don't tell him word, Nargue
rite implored Aunt Abigail
Why, what's the matters" he de
handed What have You been cry
ing for, my darlings"
''Oh, Charlie il vast was
And poor innocent Marguerite locke
as If she we're going to cry again.