Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1879-10-30

hole that gave entry to our little bedroom
and looked down.
All was dark, yet we could see the dim
outline of a man moving hither and thither
as though he knew every inch of the ground
he trod. Now, we knew he would be GER
tain TO carry arms and so we had to be ex-
ceedingly cautious.
Tom coolly placed an old fur hat on a
stick he had beside him, and hung ii over
the hole shouting rs he did so:
"Who's therel' s.. H."
We received mo answer, but thought we
saw the figure move nearer to the cabin.
tAnswer," continued Tom, waving the
old fur hat, answer, or I'll fire.
But Tom had no time To do anything of
the kind, for the rascal,tlped directly, and |,
looking through chink in the rough and
divided flooring, saw and recognized the
thief as one to whom Tom and had been
the best of friends. 1t was Simon Rail,
a man whose reputation had been of late
far from satisfactory.
Tom and | were unhurt, and ere we
could get down, for we found that the vii
lam had removed the ladder, Simon Rail
had escaped to cover.
All the settlement was alarmed, and
search made; hut he was not found until
afterward.
Well, three years more of hard work
iOund me a rich man, and Tom and |
reached Melbourne, and sailed with hope,
love and JOY for England's happy shores.
When reached home no one would have
known me with my beard and peculiar at
iire-half settler, half nautical. need not
tell you how eagerly | sought out No. --
Northampton square. 1t all seemed the
same. Seven years and half had very
little altered London, so far as lcould see.
Yes, il all seemed the same until reached
her house. -.
''IIow dirty and neglected. thonght |,
rs gazed up at the dingy yet familiar old
place 81 am certain Lilly cannot be here,
or everything would look brighter and
cleaner. Perhaps they have moved; III
knock and see.
So gave the door series of loud raps,
just to enhance its wakefulness. ;.
'Well, sir, what is it1'
1t was an DID, dirty looking woman that
spoke, as she half opened the door e
''Do the Grahams live here stilll''.
'Live here! bless yer no! They are rich
folks now"
'ERich7n said |, and I.believe looked
dreadfully angry; as though / thought they
had no right to be rich. ..if s..
''leS rich." replied the dirty old gossip,
drawing nearer and opening the door wider
whenshe found my business was so simple.
"YeS rich! and all through some gentle
man who started old Graham in business |
IL 4 =,
let ever since they left it-ten months ago. |
Live-why. let me see-somewhere near |
Reading, l think, little village called |
D. But that's not the shop. The |
shops in town somewhere. a statiner's, |
I've heard say, and"
''Thank you, thank you, that will do! |
Here is a trifle to drink success to my |
search. "
managed to get away at last, and. was
soon being conveyed over the lines of the
Railway to Reading
1t was a lovely afternoon when entered |
the little village of D.. | soon espied |
the little cottage to which | had been |
half hidden from the road by
row of poplar trees, and it was with very
little hesitation | was soon walking up the |
little garden path and ringing the bell.
The Grahams were out, but l explained |
that was friend of the family, and had
come very long way expressly to see
them. -#-. ..-.-...
THIS gained me the desired "open
sesame, and was soon ushered into the
little parlor Yes, this was Lilly's home. |
gazed around me as though was in the
sacred precinct of some holy spot. AS my
ewes wandered around the sweetly scented |
little parlor, they rested at last on some /
boxes that lay upon the table. l
had seen such boxes in my youth, and knew
them to contain the appurtcnances of mar
riage garments.
Yes, | read her, my Llly's, name on
hen. lifted the lids slightly, and, alas!
NV fear were too true; they were the
bridal decorations of Lillian Graham.
1 could only just manage to recover my
self as an open carriage drove up to the
yarden gate. could not sec them alight,
but soon saw an old lady and gentleman,
whom | recognized as Mr.. and Mrs. Graham
snd then saw the dear face of Lilly-saw
ID 10 notice it was pale, thin and sad-saw
il to quickly tell that even prosperity, and
perhaps the prospect of an advantageous
had not made her look better than
the merry, laughing eyed, little maiden of
sweet seventeen.
And then l saw gentleman, tall and
well dressed, with his back toward me, |
giving some directions to the coachman
More than tins could not see for the old
couple lad entered the parlor.
~fOh, Mr.. and Mrs. Graham, said, eager
", edo you not know mei"
al really haven't the honor" somewhat
siiffiy replied the old gentleman.
~What! not know Bob Phillips, that
whut to Australia eight years ago."
''Bob Phiilipsi good God"
This last was uttered by the tall gentle
man, In a tone of undisguised surprise.
My name had seemed to create varied |
upon them all. The little old |
gentleman looked petrified, while Mrs,
Graham appeared frightened and presently |
broke out quite tragically;
''Ro5ert Phillips! risen from his gravel" |
''Risen from his grave?" said |, growing !
still more confused and surprised at this |
turn of affairs.
Eyes, sir, from his grave" said Mr.. |
Markham; ''yes, sir, it no use of your try |
ing to pass yourself off as that young man.
lie has been dead these three years. was
present at bis funeral myself.
"Indeed," said I, smiling, but almost |
chilling Mr.. Mardham to death with the |
glance | gave him. ''Ah! |
recollect seeing you in Australia, l think y |
"You are an impostor, and l shall be