The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-03-16

be the ffst llNlc, you KNOW mao Il ulailloh'!
ring once"
"And well have one again, perhaps laugh
> ed Miss Steele, payfully, ito wear and not to
=. sell. You must have patience Robert has
only just got into paying business. He Is
sure of doing well byandby'
But about the lockct-let me scc-No 2ll
Crescent Place; very nice people live there.
I'll 90 at once, and on my way speak for some
COAL
e II wish had something better to wear than
this old shawl but wen earn and buy more
in time. Harry, take good care Of mother
II rW buy me a pair Of gloves she SAID,
mentally, and for them she changed her one.
pound note.
The house No. PA Crescent Place was quite
imposing. Up the lofty steps, at the portals
Of the great carved doors, her heart almost
failed her But she had already lifted the pom
derous knoclcr and made that timid and IN.
certain sound which is expected from the poor
and needy
A servant appcarcd-a very grand person.
are, in handsome livcry-and on her saying
that she had come to answer IN advertisement
he very graciously let her in.
She was ushcred into Il room Of magnificent
proportions, richly furnished, and through
whose curtained gloom she saw the glimmer
of marble and the deep tints Of pictures on
cascs.
Presently Il side door opened, and she was
calcd into another apartment which was furn-
ishcd in deep blue and whose many cases Of
magniiicently-b books led her to infer
that it was the library. A tall, pale, but fine
Hooking man stood leaning one hand on a desk.
Miss Steele was a little awe,struck rs he mo-
toned her to a seat.
You will favor me by allowing me to look
at the locket," he said, courteOusly.
She slipped 1t from the chain, and as he
Hooked upon it, his face underwent IA change.
"Will you oblge me by saying how you
came by tLis?" he asked.
"Willngly, sir. When my mother first
came over here, we had but little money, and
she took clearinghouse, For some time we
iprospcrcd, but at last my mothers health fail.
ed. One Of the dodgers was named Robert
Delcrt"
AT this moment a lovely little woman ap-
pearcd at the entrance her wavy locks Of hair,
almost the shade of amber, floating round Il
purely classical face, and her silken robes
sweeping the floor behind her
80 papa they say the locket is found" she
said, cheerily. The man held up his hand
warningly, and she subsidized, slowly sinking
into an easy chair near by
go on, If you please" said the man.
ale gave it to me one Christmas; that was
all" said Miss Steele, her clear, fine face Grim
son.
about what Christmas ?"
Three years ago.
"Wherc is this young manE
an Paris, IN the employ of Alphonse Mon
ncy, in Il brass foundry
Papa, does she know" asked the young
girl, in Il solemn voice
Miss Steele put her hand on her heart, AS
her glance rested now on one, now on the other
"Will you give me your address ~
She gave it mechanically.
This lockct will perhaps be the means of
bringing the guilt of murder to light said
the man, slowly.
Miss Steele gaspcd What did she hear
The room swan round and round. When she
recovered herself the beautiful little woman
was holding toward her II small box.
Take it," She said kindly, but gravcy ut
is the diamond"
/ "No-if you please cannot do not
want ito Robert" she sObbcd, what
have done? Whatever comes he is innocent
No, no, | can't take the ring" and, almost
iainting, she found her way home
1t was Il very sad little household that night
The coal had come, and the fire was bright |
but Miss Steele sat up like one rigid with
grief. She felt like II betraycr, and yet, what
could she do?
The next day the diamond ring was left at
their door But poor Miss Steele had hardly |
strength to move about the house. She was |
as white us Il ghost.
Three days after that Robert came lie was
very cheerful, and much asonshed at the
change in the little girl who was so dear TO him.
What have doneY' cried Miss Steele as
she met him. 80 Robert, how will ii all cnd?"
you have done perfectly right" said Rob
ert. at will end for me better than dreamed.
Luckily, | have some letters in my possession,
written me by the man who left me that lockct,
when he left the country some six years ago,
and others, also, with diary, that were found
among his effects
cor rather had them, for gave them this
morning to the gentleman who advertised for
the locket, limiting that had still more in my
desk at my lodgings in Paris. When he saw
the handwriting, his face changed curiously.
After IA while he looked up rs white rs any
IClOth
"'Thcsc letters are your property he said. |
| i will give you thousand pounds il you will
let me have them, and all other proof in your
possession
"'Proof of what, sirg | said He bit his lip |
and changed color again
"'No matter; if pay you for these letters
the money seals your lips. If tell you that
these things mean great deal ONE, that they
involve more than would risk telling YOU
will surcly-you will surely do what | ask
you""
and what do you think he means :" asked
the little drcssmaker
81 think that the man who committed some
dreadful crime, which he has long been trying
to substantiatc, is one of his own FIRMLY. Il
am sure that he is convinced of ii, Any way,
shall take the money and deliver the papers
up To him.
$50 you see we shall he rich, and its the
greatest luck ia the world that you ever saw
that advertisement"
The event had proved rs Robert had antici-
patcd, and Miss Steele and her mother were
placed far above the need of working for under
pay.-loUtis Companion.
\ traveller in DcadwOod says that he saw
such picturesque turnout rs this: The half
breed horses in harness were shaggy I'M