The Carlisle independent., 1917-07-05

a stretch of woodland and she led her companions to fallen log in the shade at the side of the road
 'Tm getting awful hungry" re- marked Velda.
 "Me, too," chorused Esther "Where did you get the pretty chain and locket, Grace"
 "Oh, I borrowed it, and I must get it back where found it before Auntie Madge comes home, or she may be an- gry with me. The big folks fixed all up, so I thought I'd wear this and appear like a grown-up lady. I found it hidden away in an old glove-box, in among some letters and a lot of faded rose leaves. Aunt Madge never wears it, but she must think lot of it to keep it hidden away, maybe for years"
 Then the wearied little patronesses began to recline full length on the ground, and sleep came. Velda awoke first. She shook her sleepy comrades as she sniffed the air, and directed their attention to ten automobiles halt ed just off the road and a camp fire in among the timber, with fully fifty men bustling about.
 "Oh, look look!" she cried; and "um-ml coffee-they're cooking it. A picnic Oh, dear, I'm so hungryl'
 Grace rubbed her eyes and took in the situation. It was, indeed, picnic from the city, an annual mature feast" of group of Salesmen in a great wholesale establishment of the metrop- olis.
 "Oh, I knowi" cried Grace, after a moments thought. "Weil tag them, and maybe they'll invite us to dinner"
 Which was just what happened. The novelty of the little collectors appealed magically to the sensibilities of the jolly crowd. All contributed and ev- eryone with a bank note. Then the three little ones were given a com fortable log seat at the repast.
 There was one of them, serious faced man of about thirty, who kept his glance fixed upon Grace. It seemed as though something familiar or un- usually attractive in the child appealed to him strongly. The meal was just over, when Grace, lifting her hand to her throat, missed the necklace. She began to cry, and walled forth her sor- row. The young man searched the spot where Grace had sat, and found the missing article. He turned pale as he looked at the inscription it bore.
 "See here, fellows" he said, greatly shaken, but attempting to conceal his emotions, "these little ones can't tramp it all the way back to town. Besides, all that money might be q temptation to some footpad. I'll take the ma chine and deliver them safe home."
 Little one," he said to Grace, who sat by his side in the automobile, lis that your necklace?'
 "Oh, no; it belongs to Auntie Madge. I just borrowed it."
 "Auntie Madge-what?" urged the young man, his voice trembling.
 "Auntie Madge Williston, of course," and her auditor gave great gasp and was silent until they reached the DrummOnQ nome.
 "Oh, if it should be true !" breathed Norman Marsh. "If this should be true, that his fiancee of five years back was to be discovered by him after long, patient searching. They had quarreled and when he sought her again her fam fly had left the town with no trace as to their new place of residence"
 Mrs. Drummond and Auntie Madge had just returned home as the auto- mobile drove up in front of the house.
 "Oh, mamma, seel we've just got all the money in all the world for the Belgiums" and Grace leaped from the machine and tore off the cover of the hatbox and displayed the treasure within.
 With start Madge Williston met the gaze of the driver of the machine. She swayed and caught at her sister for support. Then he was by her side, incoherently pouring into her welcome ears the story of his long sorrow and longingS.
 And out of Belgium Day" tiny Grace won the palm as the prize col lector, and Madge Williston a loving loyal husband.