The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-02-03


should he be there for?"
"For no good, mem, you may be
very sure" said Salina, compressing
her thin lips. Hadn't 1 better go
over to Mifton's and borrow their big
dog?"
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
lantern to go through the barn, be-
cause 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, a coach -and-four could ha'
driven out before him and he not see
it, And as for the mysterious sounds
in the coal cellar, mem, how was [ to
know that it was the cat knockin'
down six hyacinth- glasses? Noise is
noise. whoever makes it. But this
time. mem, I'm morally certain"
"Oh, don't tease mel" said Fanny,
adding a touch more of ultra marine
to the EXTREMIST edge of her flower.
I'VE may be all murdered in our
BEDS goomily observed Salina,
with Mrs. Dedbrook' diamonds III
the house; and I'm most sure the
letter which told you they was to be
sent here was tampered WITH
ooh, Salina, don't be so ridiculous"
said Fanny.
''You know Mr.. George amt a
comm home tonight" added Salina.
"Why, of course / know it! Didn't
you hear him tell me so?" retorted her
mistress.
And me. and YOU, and Miss Abby
is all alone in the house" persisted
the woman.
"Yes," said Fanny, absently.
"Salina, you may make ms q little
chocolate for supper, and broil those
trout Mr.. George brought in; and "a
it's chilly evening, Salina, we will
have some nicely Drowned griddie-
cakes, with maple syrup
Salina tossed her head.
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 Gritiiland
had died, and bcqueathed it to them.
The furniture was old: the odd little
three -corncrCu rooms were small and
inconvenient; large pine trees shut
out the daylight from the lozenge
shape windows: but in spite of al
these disadvantages the air of IAN
cientry" that fingered around the
| place was very enticing, and George
! Clifford decided that he could do his
| writing at Tower Pines as we'll as il
| the city; while Fanny and Abby, {
! brace of very enthusiastic young ar
fists, delighted in circular WALLED
studio, where they could have fire il
the great, open chimney place, anC
| there was a north window overlooking
the distant simmer of the sea- Sc
here they were, now that the chill
winds of early November were shak
ing the last brown leaves off the trees
to the infinite disgust of Salina, tht
superstitious. who much preferred ,
city fiat.
That domestic dan.sel had Just van
ished down the winding stairs, whicl
she declared were destined "som,
time or other to be the death OF her,
when an opposite door opened, anG il
ran Abby Clifford, the younger sister
IA tall, red-cheeked girl. with hair a.
black and thick ~ an Indian 8, spark
ling brown eyes. and huge bundl,
under her left arm
1t was too dark to work longer upoI
the blne iriscs. and Fanny was sitting
liz n revcrie before the red glow of tn,
burning logs. She started up at sigh
of hev sister.
"I've got it. Fam" said Abby. wav
ing the bundle around in the air
"The whole suit, complete, with tn
dearest old canvas hat into the bar
gain. They used to belong to Mr.
Mifton's uncle, who was a whaler
and finally died at sea-his Sunda,
suit
"Is it too late to dress him up?
said Fanny, with animation.
But he's down in the library"
| "Well, we'll go there" said Fanny
1--WE can work there as well as in tn
! studio; and we shall run less risk G