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___ Marigold Abbott watched from her bedroom window as Anne was sent away. A tear rolled down her cheek as she watched her sister travel further and further away from her.
"Marigold," A voice called from downstairs. She rolled her eyes when she realized it was Marilla. She slowly made her way down the steps of the house and dragged her feet to the room Marilla was in.
"Child, pick yourself up. She's gone. I didn't want to send her away, but she lied."
"No she didn't, you're just too stubborn to actually see anyone else's perspective."
"Fiddlesticks. If she didn't take it when she was the last one who had it, where is it?"
"I don't know. Maybe you lost it."
"That's nonsense, Mary, and you know it."
"Whatever."
"Just take these clothes up to my room and put them on my chair," Marilla said as she handed the blond a stack of folded clothes, "And maybe when you're up there you can find a better attitude."
Marigold huffed in annoyance and stomped up the stairs to the older woman's room. She pushed open the door and walked inside, walking over to the chair and setting the clothes down. As she started to walk out, a glare caught her eye. Mary looked closer at the chair and reached in between the cushions. She reached in a pulled out a piece of jewelry. She gasped. It was the missing brooch. Marigold's shock turned into anger. She ran down the stairs and faced Marilla.
"She didn't steal it," Marigold spat, handing the brooch to her guardian, "You sent her away for no reason!"
"I-I," Marilla stuttered.
"You didn't even let me say goodbye before you toss her out for something she didn't even do." Marilla stayed silence before running to the window.
"Matthew! Matthew!" She yelled to his brother. After being filled in on the situation, Matthew quickly hopped on a horse and made his way to the train station.
The day came and went with no sign of Matthew or Anne.
"I'm going after them," Marilla stayed as she grabbed her hat from the racket and ran out the door, "Jerry! Prepare the mare! Marigold! Help him!"
The children raced to fill the order.
"Quickly now! Quick! Quick!"
"Whoa, easy, easy!" Jerry calmed the horse, "I'm sorry, Miss Cuthbert, I was not quite finished."
"Oh, please hurry! Continue with the barn work! Stack some wood in the kitchen. Marigold will help you. I have to go!"
"Marilla! Marilla!" Rachel yelled as she ran to her friend.
"I have to go!"
"Wait! Wait! Wait. Thomas rode out at first light. I came to tell you."
"Where is he going?"
Why, to look for them. Only reason I could see for Matthew tearing off yesterday was to fetch Anne. When we didn't see them return, I was so worried..."
"Please step aside, Rachel."
"I knew you'd be beside yourself."
"I need to go! I must go now!"
"No, listen, dear. Thomas will ride all the way to the train station. He'll check the road as he goes."
"What if he's lying dead in a ditch?!"
"Marilla..."
"What if they both are?"
"Enough now!"
"What if something horrible has happened and it's my fault..."
"Stop it, Marilla," Rachel told her friend before turning to the kids. "Boy! Girl!"
"Old. Hag," Marigold whispered to herself before helping Jerry with the horse.
"Thomas is miles ahead of you. Now the only thing to do now is to wait. Take the rig back in."
"Yes, ma'am," Jerry said.
"Give me your hand. Watch your step. Careful now. Be careful. Now... come along inside. We'll put the kettle on."
