The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-03-14

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 II by any chance
you are discussing me"
las 1t happens" Miss Cobb said
| glancing at her, Il was discussing
you"
"Fine!" said Miss Julia. Il love to
talk about myself"
81 doubt IL 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, IL 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 them!" said Miss
Summers. What are they" And
then she caught my eye, and l guess
l looked stricken. Obi" she said
Miss Cobb was robbed the other
night" / 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.
And my wooden tights" said Miss
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 taken
from that room but the-lingerie and
bundle Of letters?"
Exactly" said Miss Cobb. and I'd
thank you for the letters"
The letters!" Miss Julia retorted.
I've never been In your room.
haven't got the letters. I've never
seen them" Then light dawned in
her face. I-oh. it's the funniest
ever!"
And with that she threw her head
back and laughed until the tears rolled
down her cheeks and she held her
side.
Screaming" she gasped. Its
screaming! But, oh, Minnie, to have
seen your facet"
Miss Cobb swept to the door and
turned in fury.
81 do not think 1t is funny" she
stormed, land l shall report to Mr..
Carter at once what l have discov-
cred"
She banged out. and Miss Julia put
her head on a card table and writhed
with Joy. ITO have seen your face,
Minnie!" she painted, wiping her eyes.
ITO have thought you had Dick Car
ter's letters, that I keep rolled in as
bestos, and then to have opened them
and found they we're to Miss Cobb"
BE as happy as you like" l snapped,
but you are barking up the wrong
tree. ] don't Know anything about
any letters and as far as that goes,
do you think I've lived here fourteen
years to get into the wrong room at
night? II I'd wanted to get into your
room, I'd have found your room. not
Miss Cobb's."
She sat up and pulled her hat
straight. looking me right in the eye.
IF you'll recall" she said. 81 came
into the springhouse, and Arabella
pulled Enlargement Of Miss Cobbs
of table. 1t was early-nobody was
out yet. You were alone, Minnie, or
no." she said suddenly, you were not
alone. Minnie, who was in the pan
try?"
What has that to do with it,"
managed, with my feet as cold as
stone.
She got up and buttoned her sweat
er.
Don't trouble to lie." she said. 81
can see through a stone wall as well
as most people. Whoever got those
letters thought they were stealing
mine. and there are only two people
who would try to steal my letters:
one is Dick Carter, and the other is
his brother-in-law. 1t wasn't Sam In
the pantry-he came in just after with
his little snip Of wife"
"Well?" l managed.
But she was smiling again. not SO
pleasantly.
Il might have known IT," she said.
What a fool I've been. Minnie, and
how clever you are under that red
thatch Of yours! Dicky cannot appear
as long az am here, and Pierce takes
his place. and help to keep the secret
and to play the game! Well, l can ap-
preciate joke on myself as we'll az
most people, but-Minnie, Minnie,
think Of that guilty wretch of q Dicky
70 oh IipU In ha