The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1880-01-22

ANUAh I ~. l00V.
to the hole that gave entry to our ittl'
bedroom and looked down.
All was dark, yet we could see tn
dim outline Of man NOV ing thither ant
thither as though he knew every inch ol
the ground he trod. Now, We knew h
would be certain to carry arms, and *
We had to be exceedingly cautious.
Tom coolly placed an old fur cap on (
stick he had beside him, and hung il
over the hole, shouting as he did 50:
'Who's there2
We received no answer, but though
We saw the figure move nearer to thu
cabin.
"Answer, continued Tom, waving thu
old fur hat, "answer, or I'll fire.
| But Tom had no time to do anything
Of the kind, for the rascal fired directly
and I, looking through q chink in the
rough and divided flooring, saw and re-
cognized the thief ~ one to whom Tom
and had been the best of friends. Il
was Simon Rail, lnan whose reputation
had been of late far from satisfactory.
Tom and I were unhurt, and ere We
could get down, for we had noticed the
villain had removed the ladder, Simon
Rail had escaped to cover.
All tho settlement was alarmed, and
search made, but he was not found until
afterward.
Well, three years more Of hard work
found me rich man, and Tom and I
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 pecu.
liar attire-half settler, half nautical.
need not tell you how eagerly I sought
No. - Northamton square. 1t all seemed
the same. Seven years and half had
very little altered London, SO far as I
could see. Yes, it all seemed the same
until I reached her house.
Glow dirty and neglected." thought l.,
as I gazed up at the dingy yet familiar
old place. IL am certain Lilly cannot
be here, OF everything would look bright
er and cleaner: Perhaps they have moved.
I'll knock and see'
So 1 gave the door a series of loud
raps just to enhance its wakefulness.
"Well, sir, what is it2''
1t was an old dirty-looking woman
that spoke, as she half opened the deor.
"Do the Grahams live here stillq''
Live here! bless yer, mol They are
rich folks now
"Richa' said l, and I believe looked
dreadfully angry, as though thought
they had no right to be rich.
"Yes, richp' replied the dirty old eos-
sip, drawing nearer and opening the door
wider when she found my business was
so simple. "Yes, richl and all through
some gentleman who started old Graham
in business some months ago! The old
'ouse as bin to let ever since they lett it,
ten months ago. Llve-why, let me see
somewhere near Reading, I think,
little village called D.. But that's
not the shop. The shops in town some
where. A stationer's I've heard saw.
and
"Thank you, thank you, that will do:
Here is trlfe to drink success to my
search.''
managed to get away at last, and
was soon being conveyed over the lines
Of the Southwestern Railway to Reading.
1t was lovely afternoon when l en-
tered the little village of D.. I soon
espicd the little cottage to which had
been directed, 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 explain
ed that l was friend of the family, and
had come very long way expressly to
see them.
This gained m the desired "open &C.
same," and was ushercd into the little
parlor. Yes, this was Lillys home. l
gazed around me as though was in the
precinct of some holy spot. AS my eyes
wandered around the sweetly scented lit
tie parlor, they rested at last. on some
mllliner's boxes that lay upon the table.
| had seen such boxes in my youth, and
knew them to contain the appurtenances
of marriage garments.
Yes, l read her-my Liiiys-name on
them. ! lifted the lids slightly, and
alas! my tears were too true; they were
bridal decorations of Lillian Graham.
I barely managed to recover myself as
an open carriage drove up to the garden
gate. I could not see them alight, but
soon saw an cd lady and gentleman,
whom at once recognized as Mr.. and
Mrs. Graham, and then I saw the dear
face of Lilly-saw it to notice that it was
pale, thin and sad-saw it to quickly
tell that even prosperity, and perhaps
the prospect of an advantageous mar.
mage, had not made her look better than
the merry little maiden of sweet seven
teen.
And then saw gentleman, tall and
we'll dressed, with his back toward me,
giving some directions to the coachman.
More than this could not see, for the
old couple had entered the parlor.
"Oh, Mr.. and Mrs. Graham" said,
eagerly, "do you not know me2''
Il really haven't that bonor," some
what stiffly replied the old gentleman.
"Wbat! not know Bob Phillips, that
went to Australia eight years ago?''
"Bob Phlliips! good God!''
This last was uttered by the tall gen.
tleman, in state of undisguised sur
prise.
My name had seemed to create a va
ricd impression upon them all. The
little old gentleman looked petriied,
while Mrs. Graham appeared trig ghtened,
and presently broke out quite tragically.
Robert Phillips! risen from his
gravel
''Risen from his grave7'' said I, grow
ing still more confused and surprised at
this unexpected turn Of affairs.
"Yes, sir, from his gravc,'' said Mr..
Markham; "yes, sir; it is NO use of your
trying to pass yourself off as that young
man. He has been dead these three
years. l was present at his funeral my
self.''
"lndeed," said I, smiling, but almost
chilling Mr.. Markham to death with the
scrutinizing glance gave him. "AhlI
recollect seeing you in Australia. I
think"
"You are an imposter, and I shall be
| forced to put YOU out of the house If vOu