Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-10-02
AN UNPREMED-
ITATED THEFT

LA1N - 1N
ITATED THEFT .
Mrs. Spreadbrow sat under the big
willow in her front garden. Behind her
stood the trim cottage, and in the grass,
almost at her feet, gamboled Eddy her
youngest born, and the new white and
black puppy.
From the gyration of the two young
| creatures on the grass Mrs. Spreadbrow
let her eyes wander drearily across the
bay to the irregular sky line of the big
city, where she knew that Mr.. Spread
brow was busily engaged in converting
| bales of cotton into brisk bank notes.
All, thought she, happily, she had
| much to be thankful for, the best hus-
band in the world promising family,
a charming home on Staten Island and
- But at this juncture her reverie
was broken in upon by the sound of
footsteps on the gravel walk leading
from the front gate to the house, and
looking up, she beheld the comfortable
figure of her dear friend, Mrs. Town
ley.
There followed scene such as any
lady who has been surprised by the
sudden and unexpected arrival of a
valued friend can readily imagine. In
the course of it Mrs. Townley was con-
veyed to.the parlor of the trim cottage,
to sit and "cool off, before going up
stairs.
Take off your bonnet, dear" said
her CHEEKY hostess. 81 will put your
satchel and parcel and things on this
chair. o, / have so much to tell you
about and scold you for; why haven't
you come down before?"
In the midst of Mrs. Townley's ex-
plantations as to why she had absented
herself, there burst through the open
French window, like the advent of a
whirlwind, the puppy, Sport, in full
cry, followed by Eddy.
Round and round the room they cir
cled for some moments and then, obedi-
ent to the oft-repeated commands of his
mother, the little youth turned and en-
braced their visitor with much hearth
ness. The peace that followed these
| demonstrations was rudely put to flight
| by the click of the front gate, and the
cry from Eddy, who was stationed at
the window announcing "a lady COM
| ing"
Somebody to call. How provoking!"
said Mrs. Spreadbrow, with pucker of
her placid brow. Come, Maria, let's
| go up stairs before Della goes to the
door. There goes the bell Never mind
your things"
In an instant the room was cleared of
all save the black and white puppy,
who shambled about for a moment,
then trotted out into the garden by the
same route he had come in.
tits young lady, Mrs. Spreadbrow,
and she says she wants to see you on
business" announced Della, a moment
later, thrusting her head through the
door of the room to which Mrs. Spread
brow and her friend had retired.
Dear me! what can she want?" The
lady's voice expressed as much irrita-
tation as that kindly organ could en-
body.
AS she entered the parlor, a tall, slim
| girl, who had been standing nervously
in the middle Of the room, advanced to
meet her, and the ICY tone and manner
that Mrs. Spreadbrow had determined
to assume toward the disturber of her
seclusion melted away as the pretty
young creature lifted pair of sad dark
eyes to her face and said in an en-
barrassed voice.
please pardon me for intruding. /
| nave COllle lO--IO--
pray sit down." interrupted Mrs.
Spreadbrow, cheerily
Thank you" said the girl, and
dropped into a chair. 81 will not de-
tain you long. | have here chill
of roomy satchel she produced a
small book-"that Catcham G. Teasam
are publishing"
| Ali Now Mrc . n
worst. But don't want it," she said,
gently.
ut won't do any-any-harm- toto
look at it." The girl spoke as If trying
to repeat lesson, and with a wistful
look in her face
Yes, it will; because if l let you
show it to me may buy it, and real
ly don't want It,"
Nobody does; but you have put your
rejection of it very kindly" said the
girl rising to go.
Her voice trembled, and the smile she
managed to screw her pretty lips into
was far from cheerful. Mrs. Spread
brow was touched. There was some
thing so pathetic about the voice and
manner, and she was so very young
and so very pretty. The motherly lady
laid her hand on the girls arm, saying
softly:
LET me give you glass OF claret be-
fore you set out again in the heat-O!"
For the little book agent had turned
away to hide the tears she could not
restrain.
Excuse me-" she murmured, tits the
hot weather, and-and not being ac-
customed to the work. / began only
yesterday and it's long trip to and
from New York"
"Sit down." urged Mrs. Spreadbrow
gently, land I will go and get the
wine"
Wien 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 away to her emotions, slipped her
wine and then rose again to go.
THANK you SO much for your kind
ness" she said warmly, and good
by" ..-------