The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-03-05

ont. Oh, auntie, I shall die! What
shall we do? If they find the pin on
anyone it will be an everlasting dis
grace; and they will be sure to search
US, auntic-they will be sure to search
isl"
The imploring violet eyes raised to
Miss Abigail ought to have melted the
heart of the stoniest criminal, but she
only whispered back, while a sudden
color famed up in her own faded
cheeks and her teeth shut hard:
81 guess they won't find it on me,
and I amt going to be searched
neither''
ooh, auntie, dear auntie," beggcda
whispering voice, "do-do be quick"
"What does the childmean?" echoed
the old lady, under her breath, while
the clerk, seeing the evident fright and
worry in the faces before him, began
regarding them with startled suspicion.
"What -"
But before she could go further Mr..
Park, ono Of the proprietors, came
forward, quietly saying:
"Come this way, ladies, pleased"
The two followed him to his private
office, and once there, the younger one
raised quivering face to his, saying:
"NIay I speak with you moment
entirely alone, please? And will you
telephone Mr.. Charles Van Essen to
come here at once?"
"With pleasure" was the polite re.
spouse. James, turning to q clerk,
Telephone Mr.. Van Essen. And now
will you come here, Mrs. Van Essen?"
The two disappeared before Miss
Abigail's bewildered eyes into an inner
Office.
"For mercy's sake" calculated that
Mortified lady. cit can't be! Il
i,st can't be little Marguerite would
take that PIN"
Then the sound of pleading voice
came to her through the door, that
had not quite latched:
II ON perfectly willing to pay for il
if you only won't prosecute"
"Goodness!' sighed the aghast
listener.
"Kleptomaniac-she can't help tax.
ing little things" drifted through the
! 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, cat leas
I'm not sure that he knows"
"Don't he!" cried the Mortified bu
loving aunt, outside. "Then he never
SHALL" Without hesitation she opened
the door and rushed in.
"Here, Mr.. Storekeeper" she
cried; "don't say another word abou
that diamond. Tn perfectly willing
to pay for it. Just make out you
bill, and I'll give you a check. There
there, Margie, petty! Auntie know
it'll pever happen again; and dom
you cry so, dearie!'- Marguerite
when Aunt Abigail offered to pay TO-
the missing gem, gave little cry
dismay and began sobbing violently
The proprietor looked in puzzle
surprise from one lady to the other
Certainly Miss Abigail was the mos
straightforward thief he had eve
seen; but before he could accept he
offer Mr.. Van Essen walked in.
| "Don't tell him word, Margue
rite!" implored Aunt Abigail.
"Why, what's the matter?' he de
manded. "What have you been cry
ing for, my darlipg?"
ooh, Charlie! it vast was
And poor innocent Marguerite locke
as if she were going to cry again.
1T WAS about the pin I wanted t
give her," answered Miss Abigail
serenely. "She couldn't decide whic
one to take. and so we sent for you. !"
CATER all she must be on old o.
fender" thought the indignant mel
chant; eve mind not to let he
off SO easily"
II don't see what you are doing i
here" persisted Mr.. Van Essen. q
can't understand yet why Marguerit
should be crying about it. -
"Give it to him." interposed tn
proprietor, politely. 81 believe 70
have it, Miss Van Essen
"Me!' exclaimed Miss Abigail
sharply. "You mean Mrs. Van Esse1
Give him the diamond, pet, and Il
him see it! Auntie is going to pay fe
it, you know" she added, soothingl..
, with q significant look OF the pr,
prietor.
II haven't the diamond" cried til
| startled Marguerite.
"You haven't It'll" echoed Miss Alb
gail. "Then what made you say so:
"Me?" almost screamed Marguerite
"Me-I say I had it!''
"Well, if you haven't it, who has:
demanded the now aroused Miss Alb
gail. 81 heard you say you had i
, You said you were kleptomaniac!"
J "The deuce, Aunt Abigail!' erie
tho beWildered Mr.. Van Essen. "Wh,