The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-10-30

fur hat, "answer, or I'll fire.,
But Tom had no time to do anything o
the kind, for the rascal fred directly, and |
looking through a chiuk in the rough and
divided flooring, saw and recognized the
thief as one to whom Tom ana had beer
the best of friends. 1t was Simon Rail, q
man whose reputation had been of late fai
from satisfactory.
Tom and were uuhurt, and ere we could
get down, for we !ound that the villain had
removed the ladder, Simon Rail had apcd
to cover.
All the settlement vas alarmed and search
made; but he was not found until afterward
Well, three years more Of hard work
found me n rich man, and Tom and reach
ed Melbourne, and sailed with hope, love
and joy for England's happy shores.
When reached home no one would hayC
known me with my beard and peculiar at.
tire--half settler, half nautical. need moi
tell you how eagerly sought out No. -
Northampton square. 1t all seemed the
same. Seven years and half had very lit
tie altered London, so far as | could see
Yes, it all seemed the came until reached
her house.
"Iow dirty and neglected" thought a:
gazed up at the dingy yet familiar old
place. 81 am certuin Lilly cannot be here
or everything would look brighter and clean
er. Perhaps they have moved III knock
aud see."
so I gave the door q series of loud raps
just TO enhance its wakerulness.
"Weil, sir, what is it?"
1t was an old, dirty looking woman that
spoke, as she half opened the door.
"Do the Grahams live here still ?"
"Live h"re bless you no! They aie
rich folks now"
erich ~ said 1, and believe l looked
dreadiully angry us though though hey
had no right to be rich.
Yes, rich !" replied the dirty old gossip
drawing nearer aud opening the door wider
when she found ms business was so simple
Yes rich and all through some gentle
man who started old Graham in business
some months ago. The old house has been
to let ever since they left it-ten months
ago. Live-why let me see - somewhere
near Reading, think, a little village called
D. But that's not the shop. The
shops in town somewhere. A stainer's, I've
heard say, and"
Thank you, thank you, that will do
Here is trine to drink success to my search
| managed to get away at last, and wa,
soon being conveyed over the lines of the
southwestern Railway to Reading.
1t was a lovely afternoon as enteret
the little village Of D.. soon espiet
the little cottage to which had been drec
ted, half hidden from the road by row o
poplar trees, and II was with very little hest
tation was soon walking up the little gar
den path and ringing the bell.
The Grahams were out, but expaine,
that was friend Of the family, and has
come a long way expressly to see them.
This gained ne the desired open Sesam
aud was soon ushered into the little pdrlor
Yes, this was Llly's home. gazed aroun,
me as though was in the sacred precinct q
some holy spot. As my eyes wandered a
round the sweetly scented little parlor, the.
rested at last on some millner's boxes tina
lay upon the table. had seen such boXe
in my youth, and knew them to contain tn
appurtenances of marriage garments.
Yes, read her, my Lilly's name on them
| lifted the lids slightly, and, alas my fear
were too true; they were the bridal decora
tions of Lillian Graham.
could only Just manace to recover my
self as an open carriage drove up to the gar
den gate. could not see them alight, bu
soon saw an old lady and gentleman, WHOM
recognized us Mr.. aud Mrs. Graham an'
then | saw the dear face OF Lilly-saw it /
notice il was pale, thin ana sad-saw it t
quickly tell that even prosperity and per
haps the prospect of an advantageous mar
rage, had not made her look better thai
the merry, laughing-eyed, little maiden q
sweeteeventeer.
And then ! saw a gentleman, tall an,
we'll dressed, with his back toward me, Civ
ing some directions to the coachman. Nor
than this could not see for the old coupl
had entered the parior.
"oh, Mr.. and Mrs. Graham, said eager
ly. edo you not know ME ?"
al really haven't the honor" somewhu
stiflly replied the old gentleman.
"What not know Bob Phillips, tha
went to Australia eight years ago7"
"Bob Phillips good God ["
This last was uttered by the tall gentle
man, in a tone Of undisguised surprise.
Ny name had seemed to create varie
impression upon them all. The little oil
gentleman looked pctrfed, while Mrs. Ora
ham, appeared frightened and present..
broke out quite tragcally;
"Robert Phillips risen from his grave !
"Risen from his grave ?" said |, growing
still more confused and surprised at this un
expected turn of affairs.
"Yss, SIT, from his grave" said Mr.. Mark
ham "yes, sir, it is no use Of your lIyin
to pass yourself of as that young man. II
has been dead these three years. wa
present at his funeral myself"
"lndeed," said I, smiling, but almos
chilling Mr., Markham to death with tn
scrutinizing glance gave him. "Ah l re
collect seeing you IN Australia, think"
"You are an inposter,aud shall be force,
to turn you out of the house il you do no
instantly leave"
every fine words, Mr.. Simon Rail, ALA
} Markham. ] shall turn you out instead =
thief, would be murderer, and double dye
villain"
Amid the screams OF the servant ana Mrs
Grsham, and not needing the feeble expos
tulatien Of the old gentleman, we closed an'
struggled To the passage Here, with it'll
muscular exerton, aud well directed blov
between the eyes, soon threw Mr.. Mark