The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1899-02-14


Let me give you a glass of. lemon
ade before you set out again in the
heat-Op' For the little book agent
had turned away to hide the tears she
could not restrain.
Excuse me, she murmured. "It's
the hot weather, aud--and not being
accustomed to the work. II began
only yesterday, and it's a long trip to
and from New York"
"Sit down." urged Mrs. Spread
brow, gently, "aud L will go and get
lemonade"
When she returned the girl had
quite recovered and was sitting quietly
at the window smiling at the gambols
OF the puppy. She apologized for
having given way TO her emotions,
slipped her drink and then rose again
to go:
'"Thank you so much for your
kindness" she said warmly, "and
goodby!"
Stop" exclaimed Mrs. Spread
brow, I've changed my mind about
the book, I'll take it..
''You really need it?" with a per-
ceptible Frightening of the eyes.
Il can't get on without a history
Tor Eddy. L never thought of
Sports having destroyed the one he
hud."
When the necessary negotiations
had been concluded and the pretty
book agent had departed, Mrs. Spread
brow returned to her guest with many
apologies for her long absence and
oubbllng over with the pathetic ro-
nance she had woven from the ma
terials furnished by the young girls
words and manner.
The two ladies talked over this and
similar instances, until they were
both in a fearful state, and Mrs.
Townley, to turn the tide of feeling.
proposed going into the parlor and
opening the nubbly little package
she had brought, and which she said
contained some trihes for the chill
dren.
This proposition was hailed with
Joy by Mrs. Spreadbrow. Mrs.
Townley was in the act of untying the
last string, when she suddenly be-
thought her of her black satchel in
which 1T was her custom to carry her
purse, and which had been deposited
with her bonnet and parasol in chair
In the corner of the room. With the
precipitancy invariably displayed by
her sex at such jnnctures, she rose
and stepped over to get it. The
parasol and bonnet were on the chair.
but not the satchal
care you sure you didn't take it
into the library?" asked Mrs. Spread
brow, after the parlor had been
searched.
81 know didn't, " responded Mrs.
Townley, with tremulous irritation.
"But of course we can look"
The satchel was not in the library,
the only room occupied by the ladies
since Mrs. Townley's arrival; nor did
it turn mp anywhere in the house.
which with anxious inconsistency
was searched from top to bottom.
Mrs. Townley had become very pale
and Mrs. Spreadbrow tremblcd with
excitement and chagrin.
80, this is dreadful" she said ut
last. II hate to think it possible.
but it must have been stolen. How
much was in the purse?"
"a hundred dollars" replied Mrs.
Townley. 81 brought it with me for
safety. But who-who? There has
been no one"
'The little book agent" gasped
Mrs. Spreadbrow. "She IS the only
person who has been in the parlor be-
side myself since you left it. Is it
possible-can it be--that that inno-
cent-looking-O, dear!'
But Mrs. Spreajbrow was woman
OF action, albeit mild and gentle. and
she sprang 10 her feet fiercely clench-
ing her small soft fists on follow
her" she cried. do you go one way,
Maria ] will go another, and Dolia
and the children shall go in other
directions. .. we will run her down.
The little hypocritc!"
In few moments the house was
empty of occupants, barring the cook.
who stood with her elbows on the
fence and watched the departing
search party, and the black and white
puppy, who, in his foolish way.
growled at and worried something
under the big willow.
With the hot August sun pouring
down upon their heads, the pursuers
scurried from house to house, while
with what Mrs. Spreadbrow termed
the little intense cunning Of thief"
She little book agent managed ever to
elude them.
At last Mrs Spreadbrow found a
maid servant who sai3 she had seen
the girl enter the railway station, and
that if Mrs Spreadbrow hurried she
could overtake her before tho arrival
Of the train for St. George. Station.
ward the anxious lady epod, her
heart palpitating with hope, fear and
indignation, intermixed with a spice
OF uncertainty.
What should she do il the girl re-
fused to give up the purte. All, sho
knew; she would get on the train,