Weekly Trinity journal., 1879-12-13

ing life, but he had given them a thought
on his deathbed. They were compara-
lively rich. When they knew it the
same thought came to each at once. The
woman altered it first.
"Martin," said she, "perhaps we can
find our boy, after all. When once we
have the money we will advertise him all
over the length and breadth of the land .
He may not remember, but the blessed
mark you put upon his foot, that he will
know of. He will come to us-I feel sure
of it, at last Martin, at last"
"Yes, it may be so, Agnes. )" the man
said. at may be so; the time has been
long, the days woeful, but we may be
happy, after all that has gone. Agnes,
believe it will be so."
They kissed each other. and made
ready for the journey which they must
take to enter upon their inheritance. And
they travelled together over the road
with ewes that grew brighter for this small
specK of hope in their hearts, Through
all the proceedings that followed, this
grew and grew; and when, at last, they
found themselves undspdted owners Of a
pretty house and money enough to live
on in comfort, they began to feel sure
that their boy would yet share it with
| them.
The first evening in their new house
was almost happy.
agnes, we must put this cash away in
bank tomorrow" said the husband,
counting over roll of notes. ut is not
safe to keep it here, and we must be care,
ful; we have that to do which makes us
economical" )"
"Yes, Martin, said his wife, as she
held the light for him and he locked the
small, old fashioned safe. You see,
when the boy comes to us we will want
to do all we can for him, and home must
be a pretty place. We can live ON almost
nothing until he does come"
Aiterward, in the dark, their heads
close together on the pillow, the elderly
couple talked on, dreaming like children.
Martin" said Agnes, when he does
come, our poor boy, perhaps he will be
rough and not well hammered; he has not
had us to teach him; we must be very
lenient.''
Eyes, yes" said Martin; 'but the boy
will improve, Young us he is, he can go
to college yet"
"Away from us?" said the mother.
"No, no, he shall come home every
day, - said the father. "Wll he he tall,
| wonder? We are usually tall, but
your people are shorter"
Something may have happened to
hurt his looks" said the mother, "but
we would only love him the better for it
if it is SO. However, il he comes, we will
be SO good, SO good to him. He will
come, W ill he not, Martin? He could
not be dead, after all"
"No. no, feel sure that he will come.
I've known all the while that he was not
dead, said Martin. "I'll advertise all
over Europe. Ii that fails, even in In
dia, in some foreign country. Men who
know all languages that are spoken shall
see that my ad vegtisemenL Is put into
each one Yes, we shall have him back"
clark, " said Agnes; what is thar"
They listened. A low, grating sound
at the door below, regular and carefully
subdued-a cllok-a crack.
"Some one is trying to break in" said
Martin.
Agnes hid her face in the pillow. They
were alone in II lonely house on lonely
road. They had several thousand dollars
in their possess ion. Martin was not
powerful man, and though he had Il pis-
tol there night be two or three against
one, and then there was little hope for
| him.
lie arose and took his weapon in his
hand, and felt about in the dark for
matches. And Agnes heard II creaking
of the. flooring and the sound Of mutlied
footsteps, and also sprang to the floor.
They are at the safe below !" cried
Martin. agnes, the money-the money
for our boy Oh if my life is lost for
its sake, | cannot lose that. l cannot-I
-cannot."
"Martini Martin Stay do not go.
What can you do, one man al0ne?"
screamed Agnes.
But be was gone; she was alone in the
darkness. 1t was all over in moment.
There were shots, oaths-a fall-silence.
she crept down stairs, trembling so that
she could scarcely stand. Leaning
against the safe was her husband, blood
on his sleeve; on the floor lay man in
Grape mask, stiiiening in death.
"Martin !" sobbed the woman. "Mar-
/ tin !"
II have killed him?" crled the man.
! "Fasten the door-put up the great bar.
Had not forgotten That they could not
/ lose every chance of my boy. They fired
at ne, at them. ] wounded both. This
one is dying, l am little hurt-not
much and the money is safe-untouch-
ed. Oh, to think should have killed a
man? II"
Martin, he may not BE dead" said
the woman. "He is young. hope be
is not dead. Perhaps be has mother
somewhere. Let me bind up your hand.
Then we will try to restore him. Dear
Martin, even if it is so, who can blame
you? Poor, poor bog !"
She bound up the Craze on her bus-
bands hand. Then they lifted the young
mans body 10 the soft rug, and undid
the mask. A face was revea led, young
and handsome and pallid as marble.
uOh n IL farrihla - said tba xvifa