othy
Sykes, in reply to her companion's startled exclamation.

"Enough said," returned Miss Jerusha, with a toss of her tall head; "now
such things ought not to pass unnoticed, I say."

This was uttered in so loud a tone that the attention of all in the room
was roused, and several voices demanded what was the matter.

"Matter enough," said Miss Sharpwell; "that thievish Oliver Dutton has
stolen a sheep from the widow Orville."

"La! have you just heard of it, sister Sharpwell?" exclaimed Mrs.
Fleetwood; "I knew it a week ago."

"You did, did you?" said Mrs. Sykes; "why, it was only stolen last
night."

"Perhaps Mr. Dutton has stolen two sheep," suggested Mrs. Aidy.

"No doubt, no doubt," put in Miss Jerusha, much excited.

"Well, ladies," observed Mrs. Milder, "as I am perfectly sure, I may
safely affirm that Mr. Dutton has stolen no sheep from Mrs. Orville."

"How do you know he has not?" demanded Sykes and Sharpwell in a breath.

"Because Mrs. Orville has no sheep," returned Mrs. Milder, quietly.

"Well, now, was there ever such a place as this is coming to be? No one
can believe a thing unless they see it with their own eyes," exclaimed
Mrs. Sykes, in an indignant tone. "I'm sure I heard Dutton had got a
lamb for Christmas; and how could the poor critter come by it unless he
stole it somewhere; and as Mrs. Orville lives alone, I thought likely he
would take advantage of that, and steal it from her, for I didn't know
but what she kept sheep."

"Very natural, Mrs. Sykes, that you should thus suppose," chimed in Miss
Jerusha. "No one questions your honor or veracity. But what were you
saying, Miss Gaddie? I thought you were speaking of Mrs. Orville's
daughter that went off south a year or two ago."

"I was merely remarking that Mrs. Orville received a letter from Alice
last week, and sis, who used to be acquainted with her, called to
inquire after her welfare."

"Well, what did she hear?" asked Miss Sharpwell.

"Not much, did you, sis?" asked the elder Miss Gaddie of her younger
sister.

"No, I didn't _hear_ much, but I _see_ enough," answered that
interesting miss.

"Lord bless us, child!" exclaimed Miss Jerusha. "What did you see?"

"Why, Mrs. Orville was blubbering like a baby when I entered, but she
tried to hush up after a while."

"Mercy to me!" exclaimed Mrs. Sykes; "her daughter must be dead or come
to some awful disgrace away off there."

"No, she is not dead," said Miss Gaddie, "for h