The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-06-15
AND FOUND
By MARIE STURTEYANT.

By MARIE STURTEVANT.
I have faithfully kept my promise
never to divulge to my sister Louise
the adventure that befell me at u
first memorable dinner at Lily Car
ter's, nor the identity of the prim
waitress who served US on that occa-
sion. And no one but Mrs. Carter
and the person directly involved ever
knew of the loss and subsequent his
tory of my pearl scarfpin.
Brief mention must be made of my
eldest sisters inordinate and sinful
regard for the details Of household
management, for thereby hangs this
tale. Her own home is perfectly Or
dered, and thus intre1ched, outside
the application Of the adage concern
ing jewellers in glass houses, she
justifes herself in cavilling at the
domestic peccadilloes of her friends.
Not one that Is not afraid to enter
tain Louise. knew that Mrs. Carter
was quaking W the prospect of our
dining at her house. She was a
boarding-school friend of Louise's
and had married a poor bank clerk,
and this was Liuse's first visit East
SINCE Lily had set up housekeeping.
We were to go out early in order
l.. L. a,;voo about tho cr,h,,rhc hpf0ro
dark. My sister had preceded me,
and as I was on my way from the
station, alone, I detected a short cut
to the house by way of some vacant
lots. Grip in hand, I sprang up the
banking which sloped abruptly from
the sidewalk, and upon reaching the
top noticed a girl, hesitating on the
brink, as If dubious about trusting
herself upon the slippery surface; for
it was the winter season. After pass
ing her, I paused, with an instructive
desire to be of assistance. She was
the prettiest creature I ever saw.
Her blond hair 1uffed out from be-
meath a boyish seal cap which
matched her rich coat. Upon the soft
curve of one cheek, where the CO.
quotes of old used to wear their
patches, a small brown mole en-
HANGED the fairness of her skin. She
threw me a conlding look from her
gray eyes which we're shaded by Won
derful black lashes, and tentatively
stepped upon the icy slope. Then her
feet began to slide.
Quick" she cried. and extended
one hand in my direction. With more
zeal than caution I was at her side,
the impetus of my leap precipitating
US at a break-neck pace down the
bank, across the slippery sidewalk
and into the street. With a hurried,
Thank you so much" in a sweet
voice, she disengaged herself from
my support and was gone.
I adjusted my hat and coat collar
with a pleased though regretful
smile, and, with a habit I have, felt
for the pin in my scarf. 1t was gone!
And then I remembered with vivid
distinctness the violent pressure of
two small hands against my chest as
we made our mad descent. 1t was a
valuable pin, and I was sorry to lose
it. But my deepest regret was on an
other account.
y
"What a charming maid" this in
a stage whisper by Louise to Mrs.
Carter. HAS she been with you
long?"
"Not long" Mrs. Carter had time
to respond before the girl re-entered
the dining-room. I glanced up with
out interest. Her hair was blond,
parted primly in the middle and
drawn smoothly away from her fore
head. Upon the curve of one very
pink cheek, where our colonial bellies
were wont to wear their beauty
patches, was a small, brown mole.
So my lady was a professional thief
gaining entrance to this house dis
guised as a servant!
The dinner vas a success and the
servant perfect. Louise beamed ap-
provaI and Mrs. Carter basked there
Ia. After coffee in the library, l
found some pretext for leaving the
room. Listening stealthily at the
pantry door, and hearing the faint
clink of china, I entered. She was
seated independently on the top of a
pair Of portable steps, finishing an
ice. Her face blanchcd when she met
my ~coaGemning gaze, and she sprang
to the floor. Her beauty smote me
to the heart.
II know everything declared in
a dramatic whisper. IF you will
leave at once I will not expose your
position!"
How did you know" she
breathed, wide-eyed.
1T is quite apparent" said I, dry
ly, especially after the theft of my
pin"
"Oh!" she gasped. cts you, is
it,"
Yes, it is l." grimly. However,
it is upon my friends account that !
come to you, not my own"
why don't you tell your friends?'
she deticd.
1 felt myself growing red.
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