The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1898-03-22

Al nrSV When Aunt Abigail re-
turned from market Marguerite e1-
pected change. but this was never re-
turned.
"Of course it is only small
amounts" Marguerite worried, "and
of course she might forget to return
1t sometimes; but I can't understand
how she can always forget"
Before Miss Abigail had been at
her nephew's long she noticed Mar
guerite's careless way of handling as
well as spending money.
Now" she thought, one morning,
there is that roll of bills Charlie gave
her for the hospital to-day. She just
ran pin through them and stuck
them to her cushion. Like as not
that French maid will pick off FIVE
dollar bill, and Marguerite will never
miss it. l believe L will pocket it my
self and see."
So into big purse went the
money, to keep company with the
DISCRIMINATING store of market
funds.
But Marguerite did miss that five
dollar bill, aud moreover she knew ex-
actly where it went. Song birds, per-
haps. may not look as wise as owls,
but surely their eyes are brighter, and
oftentimes, when they are perched on
rosebush, pouring out their very
hearts IN song. they are keeping a
sharp lookout for their dinners, as
many fitting moth could testify.
Marguerite very soon learned that
1t was not safe to leave money where
Miss Abigail could find it. She no.
ticed it was never taken from her
purse or cash drawer, but a stray
dime or dollar never failed to van
ish il it were left alone in Aunt Abb
gals company. At first she was
aghast at her discovery.
"How can she?" she would say over
and over TO herself. "Such church
woman, too, and so good to me! 1
love her in spite OF it,
1t was hard to keep her discovery
to herself, but she remembered the
odd look Mr.. Van Essen had given
her when he had asked her to love
his old aunty, and overlook her ne
culiarities in money matters for his
sake.
"Of course he knows she's a KEEP
tomaniac," Marguerite thought, "and
was too generous and loving to say so.
Well, can be generous, too
Then she oomforted herself with
the reflection that Aunt Abigail was
going back t. Vermont soon, and had
made n will in Charles favor.
One dreadful thought haunted and
worried her. Suppose some day
Aunt Abigail takes something from
some one else? What could l do?"
No detective ever Swallowed a suspect
more vigiIantly than Marguerite did
Aunt Abigail.
Come, Marguerite, exclaimed
Miss Abigail, the morning of the day
she was to leave, don't keep Charlie
standing there saying good-by any
longer! L AN going 10 take you down
to the jewelers. and let you choose a
diamond as bright as your eyes to
be 2 you remember your old aunty. &"
"Oh, how lovely, - cried the delight
ed Marguerite, while Mr.. Van Essen
added his enthusiastic thanks, ex-
claiming, as he drew on his gloves:
Bat don't, Aunt Abigail, pray don't
let her 60 into n glove store, I hap
pened to look into her account book
last night, aud find she has been buy
ing unnumberel pairs Of gloves. ]
actually believe half the money have
given her for household expenses has
gone for gloves this month"
Marguerite flushed, then laughed
safely
Wen buy what we want, won't We,
aunty?"
a little pang shot through her.
How ] must watch the dear old
thing she thought at would be
too dreadful il she should"
But the thought was not formulated.
II really was too dreadful
Once a. the jewelers.. 10 was hard
work 10 watch Aunt Abigai a. tray
after tray Of the glittering stones was
placed before them, and she became
more and more absorbed in choosing
a pin.
Suddenly she noticed q puzzled look
come into the face Of the clerk who
was waiting on them, aud he began
carefully counting the pins in the tray
before him. IL seemed FOR q moment
as If her heart stopped beating, and
she turned first scarlet and then dead
ly white as she saw him shove the
tray hastily into a case, and calling
another clerk, asked him 70 finish the
sale.
Why. what's the matter. dearie? p
asked Miss Abigail. lyon look as Il
you hal seen a ghost
"On, a1uiie," cried Marguerite,
softly, under her breath, "somo on.