been stolen, and that, therefore, it was
idle to search.

Patience Little, for the first time, showed a bit of interest. She was
crossing the hall when Lina raced down the stairs, and she actually
paused to listen to what the little girl had to say. She said nothing,
and after a moment, she went up-stairs.

She forgot to close her door, and going over to her dresser, opened its
upper drawer. From a velvet case she drew forth a smaller velvet case,
which, when she touched a clasp, sprang open, displaying a handsome
string of amber beads. She held them up so that the light might play
through them.

"I never wear them," she said softly, "but I've liked looking at them.
Aunt Millicent gave them to me, and maybe I'd like to wear them
sometime, but," she continued, "I'll not be selfish and keep them for
_some time_. I'll give them to Lina, in place of those that she has
lost."

Hurrying along the upper hall, Lina was surprised to see that the next
door that she would pass, stood open. She was about to pass it, when on
glancing toward it, she saw Patience standing before the glass, turning
this way and that so as to get a better light on the amber necklace that
she wore.

With a little cry, Lina sprang into the room. Patience turned, and was
about to speak, but before she could say a word, Lina shouted:

"That's my necklace! I _knew_ somebody had taken it, but _I_ never
dreamed it was a Glenmore girl who did it. I thought it was a burglar.
Give it to me this minute!"

"This necklace is mine!" returned the accused girl excitedly.

Her eyes flashed, she quivered with anger. No one would have believed
that the girl who always appeared calm, and rarely spoke, unless spoken
to, could show such fire. One could not guess how the scene would have
ended, but just at that moment a slight sound made both girls turn.

There in the doorway stood Mrs. Marvin.

"I am very sorry to see anything so rude, so unkind, and so unjust," she
said.

"You were hopelessly rude to rush into another girl's room and accuse
her, even if she were at fault.

"You were unkind, because you spoke as harshly as possible, and you were
unjust, because here in my hand I have your own amber beads that one of
the maids has just found.

"You must apologize at once, ask Patience if she will forgive you, and
in your own room, try to think of some kind way to make amends."

Lina was crying now.

[Illustration: "THIS NECKLACE IS MINE!" RETURNED THE ACCU