Aunt Mary | Page 7

greatly displeased, not of course with Susan, but with her
daughter; she thought it best, however, to make no further remark at
present, but to wait until Mabel returned for an explanation of the

affair.
It is almost needless to say that the morning's walk had neither been
pleasant nor satisfactory to the two girls, for the treasure they went out
to seek had not been found, and they returned home sick at heart. I say
'they,' because though poor Julia had not been really to blame, she
sorrowed both on her mamma's and her sister's account; besides which,
she had a dread of her papa's coming to the knowledge of the untoward
event.
'Mabel,' said Mrs. Ellis, as soon as that young lady came in, 'have you
had my brooch on to-day?'
'No, mamma,' was the immediate and the only response to the question,
the words to-day forming a loophole to creep out at, so as to avoid
explanation, though that was the very time to make one. Accordingly
search was again commenced--as we know, without any result.
The midday dinner-hour passed away uncomfortably enough, except
for the little folks, whose appetite did not seem to be in the least
impaired by surrounding circumstances; and strange as it may appear,
Mrs. Ellis, notwithstanding what the servant had told her respecting
Mabel's wearing the brooch, instead of closely questioning that young
lady, permitted her to leave the room with the children, while she
herself renewed the fruitless search. Tired out at last, she sat down in
the dining-room, to await the coming home of her husband in no very
pleasurable state of mind. Of course she must tell him of her loss; but
she well knew how angry he would be, and what a commotion was
likely to ensue. However, there was no help for it.
'Ada,' said Mr. Ellis to his wife, after he had enjoyed a comfortable
dinner, and had taken his customary seat in the arm-chair, newspaper in
hand, 'what has become of that valuable brooch that I gave you on your
birthday? You used to wear it every day; why have you not got it on
now?'
The usually pale face of Mrs. Ellis flushed all over at this inquiry, but
she answered truthfully--Mabel had certainly not learned to tell

falsehoods, either from her mamma or papa:
'I am very sorry to tell you, Arthur,' said Mrs. Ellis, 'that the brooch is
missing; I have searched in vain for it, and Susan does not know
anything about it.'
'Have you inquired of the girls, and the children?' said Mr. Ellis;
'perhaps they may have seen it.'
'I did ask Mabel when she came in from her walk if she had had it on,'
replied the lady,' and she said she had not.'
'Call Mabel and Julia down, and let me question them,' said papa;
'perhaps I may learn more about the brooch than you think.'
'Oh, I'm sure it is no use, my dear,' replied Mrs. Ellis, dreading a scene,
for she knew how severely her husband was inclined to visit faults
which she, poor lady, had not courage to grapple with. 'Better not
disturb yourself about the brooch to-night,' she added; 'we will have
another search for it to-morrow, and I am sure the girls know nothing
about it.'
'I am not sure of any such thing,' replied Mr. Ellis, 'and I insist upon
Mabel and Julia being told to come to me.'
As there was no resisting her husband's authority, the girls were
summoned to their papa's presence; and though they knew not why it
was, there was a conscious uneasiness in their minds which certainly
did not lend wings to their feet.
'Come here, girls,' said their papa, though not in an unkindly tone, as
they entered the dining-room. 'I want to ask you a few questions. Mind,
I must have truthful and straightforward answers--no prevarication.'
Mrs. Ellis looked at the two girls, and then at her husband, with
astonishment, not having the least idea of what was coming; yet she felt
very uneasy.

'Mabel,' said Mr. Ellis, addressing his eldest daughter, 'you were out
yesterday?'
'Yes, papa,' replied that young lady; 'Julia and I went for a walk with
Dora and Annie Maitland.'
'And where did you go?' was the next inquiry, and one very easily
answered.
'To the Regent's Park, papa,' said Julia; 'but we were there only a short
time.'
'Now just one more question, and I have done,' said papa; 'did either of
you girls lose anything while you were out?'
'Oh, papa, yes,' answered Julia instantly--'mamma's brooch. Oh, have
you found it, papa?' she exclaimed.
'Mamma's brooch!' said Mr. Ellis, with a look of assumed astonishment.
'Why, which of you presumed to wear your mamma's brooch?' But he
added almost immediately,