The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1899-04-07
\ VERY NARROW ESCAPE.

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much attention to them. '.WhC
should be in the wood-shcd? and what
should he be there for?''
"For no good, mem, you may b>
very sure said Salina, compressin 9
her thin lips. "IIadn't | better &C
over to Milton's and borrow their bic
dog?"
'Certainly mott said Fanny, lean
ing back in her chair to realize on the
effect of that last blue splash on tho
petals Of the iris that she was paint
ing IN water colors. you said there
was tramp hidden in the coal-cellal
last week; and day before yesterday
you had Mrs. Mifton's hired man up
with lantern to 90 through the barn
because you were certain some one
was there.
"And I'm certain of it now, mem,
said Salina, standing very straight
with her elbows tightly grasped in
both hands "But Josiah, he's that
stupid, eoach-and-four could ha
driven out before him and he not see
it. And rs for the mysterious sounds
in the coal-cellar, mem, how was l to
know that it was the cat knockn'
down six hyacinth-glasses? Noise is
noise, whoever makes it. But this
time, mem, I'm morally certain"
"Oh, don't tease met said Fanny
addinga touch more Of nitromarine
to the EXTREMIST edge of her
flower.
"We may be all murdered in our
BEDS" gloomily observed Salina, "with
Mrs. Dedbrook IS diamonds in the house
and I'm most sure the letter which
told you they was to be sent here was
tampered With
"Oh, Salina, don't be ridiculous!'
said Fanny.
"You know Mr. George amt
a-coming home tonight" said Sa
lima
''Why, of course l know it! Didn't
YOU hear him tell me so?' retortcd hel
mistress.
"And me, and you, and Miss Abby
is all alone in the house!" persisted the
woman.
"Yes," said Fanny absently. "Sa
lima, you may make us little choco
late for supper, and broil these trout
Mr.. George brought in: and as it's a
chilly evening, Salina, we will have
some nicely Drowned griddle-cakes
with maple syrup"
Salina tossed her head.
"Well, mem, just as you please,
said she. "Only don't say as you
haven't been warned
"No, Sallna, l WON'T" said Miss
Clifford, with provoking inditfer.
ence.
The two Misses Clifford and their
brother had remained longer at the
' o'l stone house than usual, this au-
tumn. Ordinarily it had been their
home for the three summer months
ever since old Uncle Griffith Criffiland
had died, and bequeathed it to them
The furniture was odd; the odd little
three -cOrnered rooms were small and
inconvenient; large pine trees shut out
the daylight from the lozenge-shape
windows; but in spite Of all these dis
advantages the air of ''ancientry,' that
fingered around the place was very
cnticing, and George Clifford decided
that he could do his writing at Tower
Pines as we'll as in the city; while Fan.
ny and Abby, brace of very en-.
thusiastic young artists, delighted in a
circular-walled studio, where they
could have fire in the great, open
chimney place, and there was north
window overlooking the distant SHIN.
mer of the sea. SO here they were
now that the chill winds Of early No
vembcr were shaking the last brown
leaves off the trees, to the infinite dis
gust of Salina, the superstitious, wEc
much preferred a city flat.
That domestic damsel had just van
ished down the winding stairs, which
she declared were destined "somt
time or other to be the death of her,
when an opposite door opened, and ir
ran Abby Clifford, the younger sister
a tall, red-cheeked girl, with hair as
black and thick as an Indians, spark
ling brown eyes, and a huge bundle
under her left arm.
1t was too dark to work longer upor
the blue irises, and Fanny was sitting
in a reverie before the red glow of tn,
burning logs. She started up at sigh,
of her sister
1--WE got it, FAM said Abby way,
ing the bundle around in the air
"The whole suit, complete, with til,
dearest old canvas hat into the bar
gain. They used to belong to Mr.
Mifton's uncle, who was whaler
and finally died at sca-his Sunday
; suit
is it too late to dress him up.'
said Fanny, with animation.
"Rut he's down in the library