“This tree was hollow and rotten—that is why it toppled over so easily,” said the old lady. “Look, Millie, there is quite a hole down inside this stump.”
“Did the little beaver have his nest there?” asked Millie.
“No, beavers always live near water,” answered the old lady. “But perhaps a squirrel had a nest here, though I hardly think so, for they like to live higher up in trees, out of danger.”
The little girl put her hand and arm down in the hollow stump. As she did so she uttered a cry of surprise.
“Did you find a squirrel, after all?” asked her grandmother.
“No, but look what I found!” cried the little girl. “It’s a box, Grandmother. A box and—”
“Why—why, it’s my box of jewelry!” exclaimed the old lady. “Oh, it’s my box of jewelry that the tramps took! They must have hidden it in the hollow tree, and then either forgotten about it, or they couldn’t find it again. But here it is. The storm blew the tree over, and we came along and found it.”
“Isn’t it wonderful?” cried Millie. “Is my bracelet in there, Grandma?”
The old lady opened the box, took out a pretty gold bracelet and gave it to Millie. The little girl looked happy.
“All my jewelry is here,” said the grandmother. “The tramps must have been in such a hurry that they didn’t have time to take out a single piece. Oh, how happy I am!”