The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-12-17

upper and lower mattress. All, just
the thing!" she cried, triumpAantly,
"Come, hold the candle, George, "
and she proceeded with great energy to
lift long pile of what she thought
was smoothly folded quilts, and care
fully removing two long pins stuck in
the top, arranged the pile in the hol-
low between the two mattresses.
After her unwonted exertions she went
to sleep and slept the sleep Of the
just.
The next morning all was hurry and
confusion to be in time for the early
train. The trunk firmly declined to
shut, and only yielded to the united
efforts Of Anne, the maid, and Mr..
Brown, when Mrs. Brown majestically
sat herself upon it until the key was
turned in the lock.
As the parlor car was nearing New
York, Mrs. Brown, who was indulging
in a nap in her comfortable chair,
awoke with O start.
George" she said, eve omitted to
remove the quilts from between the
mattresses"
That afternoon Mrs. Crumpst was
putting on her bonnet, preparing to
drive to the country place, when Anne
dashed into the room with little cere-
mony. She was in o state of great
excitement. The curtains had dis.
appeared from the guest room!
Nonsense, Anne" said Mrs.
Orumpet. 'Look again"
"It's no use it will DO to look again,
ma'am," said Anne, smoothing het
apron nervously. Yesterday, with
me own hands, ma'am, I folded thin
blessed curtains in an old quilt and
put thin in the lowest drawer Of what
you call the 'chifonear. With two
big pins I pinned thin. Yesterday
with me own ears, ma'am, I heard
Mrs. Brown a-saying as she meant to
have room the very likeness Of ours.
When was a-tidying the room just
now I sees the two big pins on the
dresser. What's that?' says I, and
turns to the chifonear drawer The
curtains clean gone! It's warrant
would be sending, ma'am."
This was poured out without a
breath, while Mrs. Crumpet stood
aghast.
"a warrant after what, Anne?"
CATER Mrs. Brown, ma'am, as has
our curtains. ma'am," answered Anne,
undauntedly.
'Leave the room, Anne" said Mrs.
Crumpet, in an unusually sharp voice
for that amiable woman.
"Leave the room it may be-" Anne
went out muttering; cts Mrs. Brown
has thin curtains, and she a-sitting on
top Of the trunk so grand like to shut
it over our curtainsl'
Mrs. Crumpet pinned her bonnet
with trembling hands, and mechanic
ally tied the ribbons in a jaunty bow
under her left ear. What could il
mean? Anne had been with her fol-
over twenty years; in that time moth.
ing of which she had charge had beer
mislaid. The woman was faithfulness
and honesty personifed, but the ides
that Jane could take her curtains was,
Of course, not to be entertained fol
one minute. Jane was most determ.
ined; if she wanted thing she had
it, but in no such way as that.
Every servant in the house was sum,
moned and, superintendent by Mrs.
Crumpet, carefully searched the room.
The curtains were not there.
Mrs. Crumpet drove to her country
place in a subdued and melancholy
frame of mind.
In the little sitting room opening
out of her bedroom, in the country
house, was a photograph frame il
which was o collection of photographs
of Mrs. Brown. The first was taken
with Mrs. Crumpet when she and Mrs
Brown were at Nine. Chicare's schoo
together, two simpering school girls
hand in hand. The last was very re
cent. Mrs. Brown was taken in {
black velvet, and was most imposing
and dignifed. AS Mrs. Crumpetlooket
at this one she seemed to hear Anne s
voice saying:
"And she a-sitting on top O. thu
trunk so grand like to shut it over oul
curtains!"
She, turned away from the photo
graphs with a puzzled, worried look
but the next morning found her study
ing Mrs. Browns face again.
During the summer Mrs: Brow
wrote to Mrs. Crumpet as usual, AM
was surprised at receiving no answer
In the autumn, however, q long let
ter from Mrs. Crumpet arrived. Thi
letter distressed Mrs. Brown. Sh
feared her old friend, who was reall,
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