The Mandie Collection by Lois Gladys Leppard Read Free Book Online

It looked like a store. Fine materials, laces, ribbons, buttons of every color, were everywhere about the room. Aunt Lou, who was also the seamstress for the household, was waiting for her.
    â€œYou just pick out what you want and we make it,” the old woman told her.
    Mandie immediately spied a roll of pale blue silk in the pile. She stroked the soft material with her fingertips.
    â€œThis one, please,” the girl murmured shyly. “I’ve never had a light-colored dress in my life.”
    â€œAnd a bonnet to match.” Aunt Lou smiled at her. “We’ll just put lots of trimming on it—lace, ribbons, and sech. We’ll make a real baby doll out of you, that’s what we’ll do.”
    Mandie spent the afternoon in the room while Aunt Lou pinned, measured, and cut material. She just couldn’t believe it would all turn into a dress just for her. When Aunt Lou was ready to sew, Liza came to tell Mandie she had a visitor in the parlor.
    â€œMiss Polly, that lives in that big house next-door, she’s come to see you, missy,” Liza said. “She waiting in the parlor for you.”
    â€œIn the parlor? I don’t even know where the parlor is,” Mandie laughed bewilderedly. “I’ve never seen such a big house in my life.”
    â€œRight this way.” Liza led her. “Down this hall and on down these steps and it’s the big double door on the left, next to the front door. ’Member the room where you first came in?”
    â€œI remember the room, but I didn’t remember the way. Thank you, Liza.” Mandie went on through the double door and there stood a girl about her own size in front of the sofa.
    She had long, dark hair and eyes as dark as chinquapins. She smiled and came forward.
    â€œMy name’s Polly Cornwallis. I live next door, and Mr. Shaw’s cook told our cook that Mr. Shaw’s niece had come to visit, and so I came over.” She rolled off this long speech without taking a breath.
    â€œI’m glad you live next door,” Mandie told her. “Sit down.” They sat on the sofa.
    â€œMy name is Amanda Shaw. My uncle is gone off to Europe and I’m here alone, so I’m glad you came.”
    They were friends at once and before they realized it, Liza was telling them supper was ready. Polly had to go home, but promised to come back the next day and bring her schoolbooks. But the next day brought more than Polly and her schoolbooks for Mandie.

CHAPTER FIVE
    THE SECRET TUNNEL
    Early the next morning, Jason Bond answered a knock at the front door. He found a messenger there from John Shaw’s lawyer’s office in Asheville.
    â€œMr. Wilson sent you this letter, Mr. Bond,” the young boy told him.
    Mr. Bond took the letter, withdrew a paper from the envelope, and stood there reading.
    â€œWhat’s this? What’s this?” Jason Bond was plainly shocked. “Come on in, my boy. I’ll get the cook to give you something to eat. I’ll have to send an answer back.”
    He took the boy to the kitchen and left him there with Jenny. Then he hurried to his room and wrote a note. Hearing Mandie singing in her room, he knew she was up, and knocked on her door.
    â€œI see you’re up bright and early. Come on downstairs. I have something to tell you.” He led the way down to the dining room and yelled through the door to Jenny.
    â€œSend Liza in here with something to eat,” he said and went back to sit down by the girl at the table.
    â€œWhat’s wrong, Mr. Jason?” Mandie asked him. She could sense he was disturbed about something.
    â€œWell, it’s like this,” he began, as Liza brought in the coffee and poured it. He waited until she left the room. “I have a letter here from your uncle’s lawyer.”
    â€œYou do?” Mandie leaned forward.
    â€œYes, but I’m afraid it’s bad news. He says—he says your uncle