Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1913-12-18

ABOUT, Minnie. l knew that woman
wasn't what she ought to be the min
ute set eyes on her"
THE Summers womani" repeated.
Miss Cobb leaned over the railing
and shook a finger in my face.
The Summers woman" she said.
"One Of the chambermaids found my
my protectors hanging In the crea-
lures closet"
l couldn't speak There had been
so much happening that I'd clean for
gotten Miss Cobb and her wooden
tights. And now to have them come
back like this and hang themselves
around my neck, so to speak-it was
too much.
"Per-perhaps they're hers" l said
weakly after minute.
STUFF and nonsense!" declared Miss
Cobb. Don't you think | know my
own, with L. c. In white cotton on the
band, and my own darning in the knee
where slipped on the ice? And more
than that, Minnie, where those tights
are, my letters are!"
! glanced at the pantry. where her
letters were hidden on the upper shelf.
The door was closed.
"But-but what would she want
with the letters?" asked, with my
teeth fairly hitting together. Miss
Cobb pushed her forefnger into my
shoulder.
ITO blackmall me-" she said, in a
tragic voice, "or perhaps to publish.
I've often thought OF that myself
they're so beautiful. Letters from a
life insurance agent to his lady-love-
interesting, you know, and alliterative.
AS for that woman"
What woman!" said Miss Sum-
mers' voice from behind US. We
jumped and turned. Il always save
myself trouble. so II by any chance
you are discussing me-"
"As 1t happens" Miss Cobb said
glanclng at her, 81 was discussing
you"
"Fine!" said Miss Julia. 81 love to
talk about myself"
81 doubt II it's an edifying subiect,"
| Miss Cobb snapped.
Miss Julia looked at her and smiled
Perhaps not" she said. but inter
esting. Don't put yourself out to be
friendly to me, Miss Cobb, II you don't
feel like it."
Are you going to return my let
ters?" Miss Cobb demanded.
Your letters?"
MY letters-that you took out OF my
room!"
Look here" Miss Julia said. still
in good humor, don't you suppose
I've got letters OF my own, without
bothering with another woman's?"
Perhaps" Miss Cobb replied in tri-
umph, perhaps you will say that you
don't know anything OF my-of my
black wooden protectors?"
Never heard of theml" said Miss
Summers. What are they?" And
then she caught my eye. and guess
l looked stricken. Obi" she said.
Miss Cobb was robbed the other
night" l explained, as quietly as
could. Somebody went into her room
and took a bundle OF letters"
Letters" Miss Summers straight,
ened and looked at me.
| HAN my NAbhlbg ohlu
Cobb Indignantly And I'll tell you
this. Miss Summers, your dog got
In my room that night, and while
have no suspicious. the chambermaid
found my-er-missing garment this
morning in your closet!"
Il don't believe" Miss Julia said
looking hard at me, that Arabella
would steal anything so-er-gro
tesque! Do you mean to- say" she
added slowly, that nothing was taker
from that room but the-lingerie ant
bundle OF letters?"
Exactly" said Miss Cobb, "and II
thank you for the letters"
The lettersi" Miss Julia retorted
I've never been in your room
haven't got the letters. I've never
seen them" Then a light dawned II
her face. I-oh, It's the funniest
ever!"
And with that she threw her heat
back and laughed until the tears rolled
down her cheeks and she held hel
side.
Screaming" she gasped. 'Tt'i
screaming! But, oh, Minnie. to have
seen your facet"
Miss Cobb swept TO the door ant
turned in a fury.
81 do not think It is funny" sht
stormed. "and | shall report to Mr.
Carter at once what ! have discoy
cred"
She banged out, and Miss Julia put
her head on card table and writhet
with Joy. ITO have seen your face
Minnie!" she painted, wiping her eyes
ITO have thought you had Dick Car
ter's letters, that keep rolled in as
bestos, and then TO have opened then
and found they were to Miss Cobb"
BE as happy as YOU like" snapped
but you are barking up the wrong
tree. don't know anything abou
any letters and as far as that goes
do you think I've lived here fourteen
. | years TO get into tha vrouR room a