The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-03-06

1850 ouh4lhSAb WOIudu III IhlkluB
about, Minnie. knew that woman
wasn't what she ought to be the min
ute set eyes on her"
The Summers woman!" 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 closetl"
! | 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" eaid
weakly after a minute.
Stuff and nonsense!" declared Miss
Cobb. Don't you think / know my
own, with l.. G. 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 2" | asked, with my
teeth fairly hitting together. Miss
Cobb pushed her forefnger into my
shoulder.
ITO blackmail 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. 81 always save
myself trouble, so if by any chance
you are discussing me-"
AS it happens" Miss Cobb said
glancing at her, Il was discussing
you"
"Fine!" said Miss Julia. II love to
talk about myself"
II doubt If it's an edifying subject, :
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, If you don't
feel like It,"
Are you going to return my let
tiers ?" Miss Cobb demanded.
Your letters?"
0Mv Iattarc-that Won toolr o,,f ~ N, u
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 them!" said Miss
Summers. What are they?" AND
then she caught my eye, and l guess
looked stricken. "Oh!" she said.
Miss Cobb was robbed the othel
night" l explained, as quietly as
could. Somebody went into her room
and took bundle of letters"
"Letters!" Miss Summers straight
ened and looked at me.
"And my wooden Tights said Mis-,
Cobb Indignantly. And I'll tell yor
this, Miss Summers, your dog go
in my room that night, and while
have no suspicious, the chambermait
found my-er-missing garment thi
morning in your closet!"
II don't believe" Miss Julia said
looking hard at me, that Arabell;
would steal anything so-er-gro
tesque! Do you mean to say" sh,
added slowly, that nothing was takel
bundle of letters?"
Exactly said Miss Cobb, "and +,
thank you for the letters"
THE letters!" Miss Julia retorted
i've never been in your room.
haven't got the letters. I've neve
seen them" Then light dawned IL
her face. I-oh. it's the funnies
ever!"
And with that she threw her hea,
back and laughed until the tears role,
down her cheeks and she held he
SIDE
Screaming" she gasped. TT
screaming! But oh, Minnie. to havt
seen your facet"
Miss Cobb swept to the door an,
turned in fury.
81 do not think it is funny" sh,
stormed, land l shall report to Mr.
Carter at once what l have discov
cred"
She banged out. and Miss Julia pu
her head on a 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 l 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 the wrong room a
night? II I'd wanted to get into you
room, I'd have found your room. no
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