The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1880-02-14
JHE GOLDEN TALIsMAN.

az can not recommend You, believing vol
TO be thief but | viii Dc so fnerciful that
will lat you depart. GO at once
The voice and face were stern and unyield
ing.
Geofrey Baird knew that ali the piteou
appeal mad made, the assertions of limo
cencf ,. ad frsntically declared, had faller
urn., e.. not indeed deaf, but closed to him
TN nave been very kind to me, Mr.
4ioyG,' ne said, his voice quivering with pain
"and hope some day you will know that ]
had rather cut off my right hand than let il
rob YOU
There was no reply, and the boy, for he
was not IS, walked slowly from the room
where ne had been accused Of crime, con-
demned and punished in brief half hour.
He was widows only son, and very poor
butAbraham Hoyt had been very kind to him
employing him in light labor about his ex-
tsnsive grounds, trying him we'll, and allow
ing him to read whatever he wished in his
library.
And from the library a valuable watch
and chain had been stolen from table
drawer, when there was no one as far as
could be ascertained, in the room but Geotfrey
Baird
Crushed. Inundated almost heart broken,
wide garden, bright with summer bloom that
seemed to mock his misery. He had his hand
upon the latch Of the great iron gate leading
into the road, when he heard his name called,
in clear, childish voice.
JET, jeff D, wait momentl"
And then, turning his heavy eyes, he saw
fairy Of 10 summers, a golden haired dar-
ling, dressed all in white, coming down the
broad walk with flying feet.
W all the treasures his employer pos
sessed, Gecfrey knew this, his only child was
the dearest. Motherless from her birth, she
had been her fathers idol her whole petted
life.
Jeff she painted coming to his side, "you
must go away, papa says. but | know You
never, never took the watchl Did your"
mo, Miss Daisy, never took it."
al know It'll I'm going TO find out who
did take it. And JEFF, you must take this"
She opened her tiny white hand to show
lying upon the palm broad twenty-dollar
gold piece. But the boy shrank back.
mo, no, Miss Daisy," he said,"I can not"
"But you must. 1t is my own, my very
own. Aunt Louise gave 1t to me on my
birthday. In the corner l scratched M. H.
for Margsrt Hoyt, with pin. but l guess it
won't hurt it. Please, please, dear JEFF, do
take it,
She pressed it into his reluctant hand and
then throwing her arms around his neck,
kissed him with her child lips, saving:
Il will find out who did take the watch,
JEFF, and then you will come back
Before he could answer she was speeding
back to the house, her curls flying out on the
summer air that waited to Godfrey last
Goodbye, dear jeff"
-.sL L. a
to tell his sorrow and disgrace. He feared
it would almost kill his mother, but after hear
ing him patiently she said:
al had letter from Albany this morning,
Godfrey from my fathers lawyers. Twenty
FIVE years ago my father cast me off for marry
ing poor man. He died without forgiving me
but to you he hs, left his fortune-nearly half
q million in money-upon condition you
take his name when you are of age. 1 have
packed up your possessions, and we will go
Albany tonight.
"Msrgaretp
The voice was sharp and imperative, and
Margaret Hoyt looked up from the task of
teaci;ag little Alice Bristow her letters, TO
snswor, but before she spoke the beautiful
girl wno entered the schOol-room said.
Margaret, L want you to come and show
Elsie how TO trim my dress for tonight.
Everybody said you had such exquisite taste
before your father failed and died.
The pale, patient face flushed little at
me cruel words, but Laura Bristow did not
heed the pain she had given.
Come now" she said impstiently; II
want to look particularly we'll, for Willard
Wharton is coming 1t is the first party
since he came from Europe. He has been
negotiating in Florence ever SO long, with q
consumptIve mother; but she died year
ago, and after travelling a while ne has come
home Did you know him."
"I never beard the NAME"
Come to think of it, he left long before
you came"
Alfe's primer was put aside, and Marga
ret accompanied Laura to the room where
her fnery wss being prepared for q brilliant
party a few hours later.
"Miss Hoyt," Mrs. Bristow said, looking
up from the cloud of tulle under her fingers
al wish you TO come down to play, and
wish you to wear white lace ruff1es and
white flower or two in your nair. That vii
not interfere with your mourning, but yo'
will look little less like mute at fune
raj"
To hear was TO obey. Mrs Bristow was
distant connection of Mr.. Hoyt's and when b
died, leaving his only child to poverty. tn
lady impressed upon poor stricken Daisy tina
she was under an enormous weight or obligs
ton by being permitted to be governess, lady
maid, generally useful factotum in her family
For nearly year she had filled the uner
viable position of poor relation, unsalariet
and overworked, and much Of the bloom {
her pure blonde beauty had left Daisy's fac
But the soft violet eyes had lost nothing {
their sweetness; the golden hair gathere
into rich knot. was full of waves and rims
lets, making tiny baby curls around the de
icate oval of her pale face, and the sensitiv
mouth was still expressive and lovely.
She sighed a little as she put the soft whit
ruffie into her black dress, and a few whit
flowers in her hair.
at seems like forgetting dear father, 81
thought. but yet she knew her appearan'
had been too gloomy for a festive occasion
The guests were gathering. and Daisy hs
gone into email sitting-room opposite Il
vide drswing-rooms to wait until she vi
summoned 70 sing and play.
She had never been In society In Alban
and knew none Of Mrs Bristow's friends.
che was grsciously excused from taking ar
moro s,tive part 10 the social gathering th,
70 smu.e by h,r singing. or neip willing fe
along by playing dance music.
She was turning over the leaves Of ~