The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1899-01-10

that nollow by putting 1T between the
upper and lower mattress. All, Just
the thingl" she cried, triumphantly.
Come, hold the candle, George, f"
and she proceeded with great energy to
lift long pile of what she thought
was smoothly folded quilts, and care
fully removing two long pins stuck in
the top, arranged the pile in the hol-
low between the two mattresses.
After her unwonted exertions she went
to sleep and slept the sleep OF the
just.
Tho next morning all was hurry and
confusion to be in time for the early
train. The trunk firmly declined to
shut, and only yielded to the united
efforts of Anne, tho maid, and Mr..
Brown, when Mrs. Brown maiestically
sat herself upon it until the key was
turned in the lock.
As the parlor car was nearing New
York, Mrs. Brown, who was indulging
In nap in her comfortable chair,
awoke with start
George" she said, "we omitted to
remove the quilts from between the
mattresses. :"
That afternoon Mrs. Crumpet was
putting on her bonnet, preparing to
drive to the country place, when Anne
dashed into the room with little cere-
mony. She was in state OF great
excitement. Tho curtains had dis
appeared from the guest roomi
Nonsense, Anne, said Mrs.
Crumpet. ''Look again"
'It's no use it will be to look again.
ma'am," said Anne, smoothing her
apron nervously. Yesterday, with
me own hands, ma'am, L folded thin
blessed curtains in an old quilt and
put thin in the lowest drawer of what
you call the 'chifEonear.' With two
big pins / pinned thin. Yesterday
with me own ears, ma'am, 1 heard
Mrs. Brown a-saying as she meant to
have q room the very likeness of ours.
When was a-tidying the room just
now L sees the two big pins on the
dresser. What's that?' says I, and I
turns to the chiffonear drawer The
curtains clean gone! It's O warrant
would be sending, ma'am."
This was poured out without a
breath, while Mrs. Crumpet stood
aghast.
"a warrant after what, Anne?"
"After Mrs. Brown, ma'am, as has
our curtains, ma am, :" answered Anne.
undoubtedly.
Leave tho room, Aune, ;" said Mrs.
Trumpet, in an unusually sharp voice
for that amiable woman.
Leave the room it may be-" Anne
went out muttering; ''it's Mrs. Brown
has thin curtains, and she a-sitting on
top OF the trunk 30 grand like TO shut
it over our curtainsl"
Mrs. Crumpet pinned her bonnet
with trembling hands, and mechanic
ally tied the ribbons in a iauutv how
under her left ear. What could it
mean? Anne had been with her for
over twenty years; in that time moth
ing of which she had charge had been
mislaid. The woman was faithfulness
and honesty personifed, but the idea
that Jane could take her curtains was.
OF course, not to be entertained for
one minute. Jane was most determ-
med; II she wanted thing she had
1T, but in no such way as that.
Every servant in the house was sum-
moned and, superintended by Mrs.
Orumpet, carefully searched the room.
The curtains were not there.
Mrs. Crumpet drove to her country
place in q subdued and melancholy
frame Of mind.
In the little sitting room opening
out OF her bedroom, 10 the country
house, was n photograph frame ia
which was a collection Of photographs
OF Mrs. Brown. The first was taken
with Mrs. Crumpet when she and Mrs.
Brown were at Nine. Chicare'g school
together, two simpering school girls
hand in hand. The last was very re
cent. Mrs. Brown was taken in a
black velvet, and was most imposing
and dignihed. As Mrs. Crumpet looked
at this one she seemed ~ hear Anue's
voice saying:
and she a-sitting on top o. the
trunk 80 grand like to shut it over our
curtainsw
She turned away from the photo.
graphs with puzzled, worried look.
but The next morning found her study.
ing Mrs. Browns face again.
During the summer Mrs. Brown
wrote TO Mrs. Crumpet az usual. and
was surprised at receiving no answer
In the autumn, however, n long let.
ter from Mrs. Crumpet arrived. This
letter distressed Mrs. Blown. She
feared her old friend, who was really
getting on in life nov Mrs, Cgumpet