The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1899-02-28

NNT' pay p t Gss s' a'': S%s 's
Ihould be in the wood-shed? and what
should he be there for?"
"For no good, mem, you may be
rery sure" said Salina, COMPRISING
her thin lips. Hadn't I better go
over to Mifton's and borrow their big
log?"
Certainly mott" said Fanny, lean
Ing back in her chair to realize the
effect of that last blue splash on the
petals of the iris that she was painting
in water colors. "You said there was
a tramp hidden in the coal-cellar last
week; and day before yesterday you
had Mrs. Mifton's hired man up with
a lantern 10 go through the barn, be-
cause you were certain some one was
there"
"And I'm certain of it now, mem,
aaid Salina, standing very straight,
with her elbows tightly grasped in
both hands. "But Josiah, he's that
etupid, coach-and-four could ha'
driven out before him and lie not see
1t. And as for the mysterious sounds
In the coal-cellar, mem, how was L to
know that it was the cat knockin'
down six hyacin!h- glasses? Noise is
noise, whoever makes it. But this
lime, mem, I'm morally certain"
"Oh, don't tease mel" said Fanny,
.sdding q touch more of ultra-marine
- the EXTREMIST edge of her flower.
1--WE may be all murdered in our
beds" gloomily observed Salina,
'with Mrs. Dedbrook's diamonds in
she house; and I'm most sure the
letter which told you they was to be
Aent here was tempered With"
ooh, Saliua, don't be so ridiculous"
laid Fanny.
"You know Mr.. George amt n
Iomin' home tonight, 2" added Saliua.
"Why, of course know it! Didn't
Iou hear him tell me SOP" retorted her
mistress.
"Ahd me, and you, and Miss Abby
Is all alone in the house!" persisted
lhe woman.
yes" said Fanny, absently.
''Salina, you may make us little
chocolate for supper, and broil those
trout Mr.. George brought in: aud as
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, Salina, I won't" said Miss
Clifford, with provoking Indifference.
The two Misses Clifford and their
brother had remained longer at the
old stone house than usual, this
autumn. Ordinarily it had been their
home for the three summer months,
ever since old Uncle Griffith Gritfiland
had died, and bequeathed it to them.
The furniture was old 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 disadvantages the air of can
cientry" that fingered around the
place was very enticing, and George
Clifford decided that he could do his
writing at Tower Pines as well "a in
the city; while Fanny and Abby, n
brace of very enthusiastic young ar
fists, delighted in a circular walled
studio, where they could have a fire in
the great, open chimney place, and
there was q north window overlooking
the distant simmer Of the sea. So
here they were, now that the chill
winds Of early November were shak-
Ing the last brown leaves off the trees.
10 the infinite disgust of Salina, tho
Juperstitious, who much preferred a
lity fat.
That domestic dnmsel had just van
tshed down the winding stairs, which
she declared were destined "some
time or other to be the death Of her, 8"
when an opposite door opened, anC in
ran Abby Clifford, tho younger sister
"a tall, red-cheeked girl, with hair as
black aud thick az an Indians, spark
ling brown eyes, and huge bundle
under her left arm.
1t was too dark TO work longer upon
che blue irises, and Fanny was sitting
in a reverie before the red glow of the
burning logs. She started up at sight
Of her sister.
GIVE got it, FAM said Abby, wav-
ing the bundle around in the air.
'The whole suit, complete. with tho
dearest old canvas hat into the bar
gain. They used 90 belong to Mr..
Miiton's uncle, who was whaler.
and finally died at sca-his Sunday
suit"
CTS IL too late 20 dress him mp"
said Fanny, with animation.
"But he's down in the library"
"Well, wen go there" said Fanny.
owe can work there 49, well rs in the
studio; aud we sholl run less risk Of