Witch Hazel; or, The Secret of the Locket — page 254: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

See ee ee — That young lady immediately entered upon an en- thusiastic description of the brilliant reception, but was interrupted in the midst of it by the return of Mrs. Stewart, who appeared greatly excited, for she was trembling violently, while her face was colorless and wore an expression of great anxiety and econ- cern. ‘‘Helena! Belle! have either of you been in my room this morning?” she cried, looking wildly from one to the other, “No,” they both affirmed; and Helena inquired, with great apparent concern : “What has happened, mamma? You are frightened and agitated.” Mrs, Stewart did not reply; but turned to Hazel, saying: “Yousurely have not, Miss Gay, for you have but just come in and did not go up stairs.” “No,” Hazel answered, regarding her with frank, unclouded eyes, “I arose early—at six—and, knowing that probably Belle would sleep late, I went out for arow; I have been over to theisland gathering moss and lichens,” and she held upa little basket tilled with her treasures. Mrs. Stewart sank weakly upon a chair. “We have been robbed!” she said, in a faint voice. “My necklace is gone !” amma!’ almost screamed Belle, in a voice of ices: “Impossible !” cried Helena, while Hazel regarded the woman with a look of blank dismay. “Tt is true,” Mrs. Stewart continued. “I put it back in the ease and locked it immediately on my return—you saw me, Helena, for And Hehe ae ary room at the time—but [ was too tir Suteae es away, and left it standing upon the tabie eBooksncorny