The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1875-01-08


morrow morning"
IS What nonsense. Addiei Don't I
tell you that everything in it has been
thoroughly examined hundreds Of
times %
ssWell, then. it will do no hurt to ex-
anime them the several hundred-and-
oneth time. But was not that ring at
the bell? Yes, indeed Here comes
mey trunk, Patience. Iwalt to show you
my Christmas gifts, and have Knit you
such q pretty shawl. AND In sne IN
packing and examination OF my little
treasures the remainder OF the evening
nassed swiftly awav. and there was no
further question of Stephen Carr or the
lost Jewels. But had not relinquished
my purpose, and as soon asthe breakfast
things were put away the next morning,
I assailed Patience anew: Where IS
the key of Stephen Cars trunk 1
know you mean to be closeted with
Norah for an hour at least superintend-
ing the stufing of that turkey; SO, un-
less you wish me to die of e'a'sai during
your absence, you might as well let me
amuse myself after my own fashion
"Curiosity, thy name ls-Adelalde
Carr p laughed Patience, as she went
il is. And put on shawl, Addie; there
is no fire in the room, and / do not
want You to catch cold.
ssAnd if find the fortune ?"
'sBring it down stairs and show 1T to
me /; that is, if it is not too heavy for
you to carry.
So Patience disappeared laughing in
the direction of the kitchen, AND hast
ened to put on my heavy cloth travel
ing sacque, and made the best OF my
way to the third story back roon-a
INV
ber-room, and half filed with old
trunks, broken furniture, discarded
pictures !; in fact, all the rubbish which
collects in old houses, and which,
though considered too good to throw
away, is usually mere useless lumber.
An old picture, the portrait of some for
gotten friend or distant relative of our
parents or grandparents, leaned against
the wall, and seemed to leer at me out
of its eyes with q look of mockery and
discouragement. An old high clock in
the corner, Jared probably by my step
on the door, started suddenly into a
wheezy series of ticks, and then was
silent again. The air of the shut-up
room smote coldly on my senses, and
chilled me despite my warm wrappipgs.
Gathering my dress about me, picked
my way across the floor, avoiding sun
dry jagged nails and broken trunk
corners, and soon stood in front of the
trunk marked IS. c." STOPPING, I
fitted the key to the lock; it turned
slowly and creakingly, and with an
eager yet trembling hand flung back
the lid. No sudden glow of gold or
| jewels flashed from the interior. A
quantity of masculine habiliments,
carefully folded. greeted my eyes, and
strong odor of camphor assailed my
nose. That was all
teok the things out one by one, un-
folding each article as / did SO, and
scrutinizing it carefully. Old-fashioned
shirts yellow as saffron; coats from
which every vestige of the lining had
been ripped in the search for the hidden
wealth trowsers with the pockets
turned inside out stockings not rolled
in compact balls, but stretched out at
full length-such were the uppermost
things in the old trunk. Underneath
lay pair or two of boots. a small
dressing case covered with Russia
leather, small, flat work box CONTAIN
ing two spools, one of black silk and
one of white thread, a lump of wax
scored by passing threads, a needle
book shaped like butterfly, and pair
of scissors), and a writing-case, also
covered with Russia leather. took
this last to the light, and carefully ex-
amined it In the vague hope that it
might contain some fragment of writ
| ing, some entry in cypher perhaps. that
might prove a clew to the mystery.
Vain hope! The stained blotting-
paper, the shabby pen-holder. the rusty
written paper had been removed long
ago, had there indeed ever been any.
The dressing case, the work-box were
alike unfruitful of discoveries. The
| heels of the boots had been cut off and
cut in pieces, and found the fragments
lying at the bottom of the trunk. And
the trunk bottom itself had been split
open and pried apart, in search for
false compartment doubtless. Truly,
careful searchers had been before me !;
where was the marvel if I failed to find
anything?
Slowly and reluctantly refolded and
replaced the scattered garments in the
trunk, laid the work-box, writing-case
and dressing-case on the top of them,
closed the lid, turned the key, and put
ting it in my pocket. ran down stairs,
resolved to forget old Stephen Carr and
all his belongings.
The afternoon was spent, as we had
planned, at the theater, and in the
evening il was agreed that Patience
should read alord while sewed. I had
piece OF Unery Gn&G neeQeQ FenOvaGlnR
Ia black cloth coat, the shabby fringe
of which was going to replace with
fresh and new fashioned fur trimming
and was anxious TO get it done that
might look my best at church the en-
suing Sunday. ] got out my work, and
my good sister produced q thick, prom
isin9- looking novel.
s. What have you got there, Patience?
But stop. Before you begin can you
lend me piece of wax?
stI have not bit In the house."
s. How provokingl This black silk
tangles and knots so when it is not
waxed. Patience, there is nice ball
of wax mp stairs in old Stephen Cars
work-box. Do you think his ghost
would come after me were I to go up
after it ?''
ssFor three cents I will insure you
against all ghosts"
Done I'll send you the three cents
in the shape of postage stamp in the
very next letter I write you. Where's
the candle / have the trnnk key still
in my pocket.
So / went, and soon returned with
the yellowish ball of thread-scored wax
in my hand. Then we sat down, and