Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1901-05-30

for just that once?"
81 am very sure she would. You
know how she prizes it, for Uncle
Bert's sake. Suppose it were lost?
But it wouldn't be-
"Auntie would be worried all the
time you were gone"
Then, suppose l were to borrow 1t
without saying anything to her-just
or once, you know"
ooh, Elsie, don't think of such
thing"
Where would the harm be-" asked
Elsie slowly, wistfully.
why, it would be almost like teal
ing. Don't think of it.
'Well, l won't, them" said the
younger girl, reluctantly, and went
toward the house, while Kate, glad to
be alone, FASTENED to the arbor, drew
out the box and went almost feverish-
ly to work 1t was dinner time. and
almost dark when she returned. She
met Elsie on the veranda and the two
were chatting when Aunt Caroline
came quickly down the stairs.
Girls" she cried, excitedly, "some-
thing dreadful has happened. Ny
brooch is gone!"
Gomez" cried Kate, in consterna-
ton, while Elsie sprang to her feet.
Gomez"
Eyes; stolen is the word. 1 didn't
mislay it; that know, for after show
ing it to you / placed it on the top of
my dressing stand in plain view 1t is
gone, and some one must have ,aken
it."
Into the house again went the dis
tressed widow.
WELL" demanded Elsie, queerly,
why are you looking at me like
that?"
ooh, Elsie, you didn't"
''Steal it?" Kate Sanford, do you
take me for theft"
But you were speaking, dear, of
borrowing it quietly for Saturday. If
you did such thing dear, please"
But Elsie had fiounced angrily into
the house, leaving Kate one of the
most shocked, doubling, wretched
girls in the world. Aunt Caroline
had not been as far away as either
supposed, and now Mrs. Brewster,
having overheard, had a new grief
that was greater than even the loss
of the priced brooch. All three met at
dinner but none had much to say. In
the morning Aunt Caroline took Elsie
for walk. She meant to ascertain
if the girl had anything to confess.
Kate decided upon morning sess.,n
with the novel. She hurried TO the
arbor, but found her aunt and cousin
there before her.
why, that's curious hole, and
there seems to be a box in there, too"
said Aunt Caroline, espying Kate's
treasure place. She stepped over to
examine, but the young writer, very
much fiustered and distressed, tried
to detain her, faltering:
"Oh, dont-please don't!"
"Why not " asked Aunt Caroline. a
trifie sharply, as she saw the color
come and go in her niece's face. Then,
without a word, she thrust her hand
into the hole, drawing out the box
of manuscript. Her hand touched
something else, and she drew that
out, too-a Russian leather jewel box.
Three different notes of establishment
sounded as Aunt Caroline opened the
box and the diamond opals flashed I'D
at them.
"Oh, Kate! Katel !" sobbed Mrs.
Brewster.
"You didn't do it, dear-you lidnt
did your" cried Elsie.
Il didn't" protested Kate, miser-
ably, but she felt that neither be.
lieved her.
My poor, dear girl" sobbed Mrs.
Brewster. "Oh, what an unhappy day
this is for mel"
Il didn't steal it," again insisted
Kate. flood of hot tears coming
Indeed, auntie, don't know"
Who didn't shteal. Didn't sbteal
phwat questioned honest, SLOW
minded Michael, the gardener. thrust.
ing his head into the arbor.
Michael" said Mrs. Brewster.
severely, leave u.s."
But Michael caught sight of the |
brooch, the box and seemed to take in
the situation. He looked as if some. |
thing had struck him.
WAS the shtolen gew-gaw in thot
box, ma'am?" he demanded
Unable to speak, Mrs. Brewster
nodded her head.
Then wait joost phewre yez IRE
leddiesi" cried Michael excitedIv
Don't shtir. Wait till I come back"
He went off at his top speed toward |
the house. Neither Mrs. Brewster
nor her nieces spoke. In almost n, |
time Michael was back, with a ,ittIe
dog Flirt, in his arms
Here's the thief, ma'am. Lam.
bashte her well, ye'd better. shura |
Yesterday avening, Just after Miss |