West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-10-11

H'i' NlHt EdNt 'h'IN to our iti.t ItUrh'h
and looked down.
All was dark, yet We could soc the dim
outline OF a man moving hitler and thithcr
as though he knew every inch of the ground
he trOd. Now, We knew he would bc Ger
tain to carry arms and 50 we had 10 bc cx-
cccdngly cautious.
Tom coolly placed an old fur Ia, ON a
stick he had beside him, and hung /, over
the hole shouting as hc did So:
who's therct'
We received mo- answer, hut thought We
saw the figure move nearer tn the cabin.
Answer continued Toa, waving the
Old iur hat, ''answcr, or l'll TIRE
But Tom had no time 10 do anything of
the kind, for the rascal fired directly, and :,
looking through a Chiuk i'm the rough and
divided flooring, saw and recognized the
thief aS ono 60 whom Tom aud had been
the best of friends Il WAS Simon Rail.
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 viii
lam had removed the ladder. Simon Rail
had escaped TO cover
All the settlement was alarmed and
search made, hut Inc was not found until
aitcrword.
Well, three years more OF hard work
lound me 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
iirc-hali settler, half nautical. need not
tell you how eagerly | sought out No. --
northampton square 1t all seemed the
same. Seven years and a half had very
little altered London, so far as could see
! cs, II all seemed the same until reached
her house.
''llow dirty and neglected, ' thonght !,
as ! gazcd up at the dingy yet familiar old
place. 81 am certain Lilly cannot bc here
or everything would look brighter aud
cleaner Perhaps they have moved; I'll
knock aud see.
SO gave the door series Of loud raps
just TO enhance its wakoiuIncss
"Well, sir, what is itY'
1t was an old. dirty-looking woman that
spoke, as she half opened the door
''Do the Grahams live here stillln
Live here! bless yer no! They arc rich
folks now"
'IRich7' said l, and l believe | looked
drcadfully angry; as though thought they
had no right to bc rich.
YES rch!" replied the dirty old gossip,
drawing nearer and opening the door wider
when she found my business was so simple.
"les, rich. and all through some gentle
man who started old Graham In business
some months ago. The old 'ouso as bin TO
let ever since they left it---ten iuonths ago.
Live-why. let me sce-somewhcre near
Reading, I think, little village called
D.. But that's not the shop. The
shops in town somewhere. a statincrs,
I've heard say, and"
''Thank you, thank you, that will do!
Here is trifle 10 drink success TO my
search -
managed TO get away mt last, and was
soon being conveyed over the lines of the
Southwestern Railway to Reading
1t was a lovely afternoon when entered
the little village Of D.. soon espicd
the little cottage to which / had been
directed, half hidden from tho road by a
row of poplar trees, and il was with very
little hesitation ! was soon walking mp the
little garden path and ringing tho bell.
The Grahams were out, but / explained
That was friend Of the family, and had
come a very long way expressly TO see
them.
THIS gained me the desired "opcn
little parlor Yes, this was Lilly's home. ]
gazed around me as though / was i'm the
sacred precinct Of some holy spot. As NV
eyes wandered around the swcctly scented
little parlor, they rested at last on some
milincrs boxes that lay upon the table.
had seen such boxes in my youth, and knew
thom 10 contain the appurtcnanccs OF mar
riagc garments.
Yes, ] read her ny Lilly's, name on
them. ] lifted the lids slightly. and, alas
my fears were too true: they were the
bridal decorations Of Lillian Graham.
could only just mmsgc TO recover my
self rs an open carriage drove up to the
garden gate. / could not see thcm a'ight,
but / soon saw an old lady and gentleman,
whom / recognized as Mr. and Mrs Graham
and then saw the dear face of Lilly-saw
it to notice It was pale, thin and sad-saw
IL TO quickly tell that even prosperity, and
perhaps the prospect of au advantageous
marriage, had not made her look better than
the merry, laughing-cycd, little maiden Of
sweet seventeen.
And then ] saw q gentleman, tall and
well dressed, with his back toward me,
giving some directions 90 the coachman
More than tins ! could not see for ihc old
couple had entered the parlor.
'Dll' Mt. ana MIS- ITduhu, Sdll, eager
ly, ''dO you not know mci"
81 really haven't The honor somewhat
stiiliy replied thc old ucntloman.
What. not know Bob Phillips. tHf
whut 90 Australia eight years agoW
"Bob Phillips. good GOdi'
This lost was uttered by the tuu gentle
man, lu % tone of uudisguiscd surprise
My name had seemed tO create varied
impression upon them all The little old
gentleman looked pctrGed, while Nrs.
Graham appeared frightened and presently
broke out quite tragically;
"RO5crt Phillipsl risen from his gravel"
"Riscn from bis gravel said ], growing
still more confused and surprised at this
unexpected turn OF affairs
"Ycs, SIR, from his grave" said Mr.
Markham; 'ycs, sir, it no use Of your try
ing to PASS yourself of as that young man.
lie has been dead these three years. ] was
present at bis funeral myself
Indeed, said I, smiling, bat almost
chilling Mr. Mardhom TO death with the
scrutinizing glance ] gave him. "Ahl u
recollcct seeing you in Australia, J think
"Iou are an impostor, and ] shall bee
forced TO turn you out of thc house if you
do not instantly lcave'
every fine words. Mr. Simon Rail. alias
MarkhaIS / shall turn YOU ont instead