t's kind of the fashion over to our house to make her feel good
when we can. That was why, I reckon, I made out to admire her
collection of opals like I did, though they were pretty enough. Wish
now I'd kept my tongue between my teeth; or that it'd been you who took
that notion to make out you was interested in 'em."

"And you mean she's lost some of the opals; is that it?" asked Fred.

"Two of 'em gone, she told me yesterday afternoon, when mother sent me
over to take her a cake she'd made," Bristles continued.

"And did she really have the nerve to accuse you of stealing them,
Bristles?"

"Well, hardly that," replied the other boy, gritting his teeth; "if she
had, I reckon I'd a flamed right out, and told her what I thought of
old maids that had vinegar natures--I've heard my mom say that, though
she told me never to repeat it to Aunt Alicia for anything. You see she
acted like she suspected me."

"Oh! and you felt bad on that account, eh?" questioned Fred.

"She told me she'd just been saying to Sallie Kemper, when she was in,
that it was the _queerest thing ever_ that twice her lovely little
opals disappeared when I visited her on my own account. And Fred, you
know as well as I do what Sallie is."

"Sure I do," returned the other, promptly; "I hadn't been in Riverport
a great many moons when I learned that she was considered the biggest
gossip in the place."

"That's right," Bristles went on. "Sallie went around right away, and
told how the rich Miss Muster suspected her own nephew of actually
taking some of her beautiful and valuable jewels. It kept gettin'
bigger as it was told from one to another, and I just guess my sister
Kate brought it home. Mom asked me if I'd done anything wrong, and I
said point blank that I'd sooner cut my hand off than steal Aunt
Alicia's opals, or touch anything she owned."

"Well, didn't that end it?" asked Fred, who had troubles of his own,
and could feel for his chum.

"Oh! nothin' more was said; but I saw mom and pop talkin' together
after supper; and when I went out I just know they rooted all around in
my room, 'cause things was upset. But Fred, it's just _awful_ to feel
everybody lookin' at you with a question in their eyes. I'll never be
happy again till I find out what did become of those silly jewels of my
aunt's."

"Oh! I wouldn't worry so much as that," counselled Fred. "Perhaps by
now she's found where she put the things. Cheer up, Bristles, and think
of the g