Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1880-01-22

ola 1ur nat, answer, Ut IL ure.
But Tom had no time to do anything
of the kind, for the rascal fired directly,
and 1, looking through chink in the
rough and divided flooring, saw and re-
cognized the thief as one to whom Tom
and had been the best of friends. 1t
was Simon Rail, a lnan whose reputation
had been of late far from satisfactory.
Tom and l 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 the 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 l
reached Melbourne, and sailed with hope,
love and Joy for England's happy shores.
When l reached home no one would
have known me with my beard and pecu-
liar attire-half settler, half nautical. l
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 l
could see. Yes, it all seemed the same
until reached her house.
"How dirty and neglected" thought I,
as gazed up at the dingy yet familiar
old place. II am certain Lilly cannot
be here, OF everything would look bright
er and cleaner. Perhaps they have moved.
I'll knock and see.'
So gave the door a series of loud
raps just to enhance its wakefulness.
"Well, sir, what is it?''
1t was an old dirty looking woman
that spoke, as she half opened the door.
do the Grahams live here stilla'
Live here! bless yer, mol They are
rich folks now"
"Rich2" said l, and believe looked
dreadfully angry, as though I thought
they had no right to be rich.
Eyes, rich!' replied the dirty old Cos
sip, drawing nearer and opening the door
wider when she found my business was
so simple. Eyes, rich! and all through
some gentleman who started old Graham
in business some months ago! The old
'ouse as bin to let ever since they left 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 say,
| and"
THANK you, thank you, that will do!
Here is a 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
espied 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 explain
ed that was friend of the family, and
had come very long way expressly to
see them.
This gained me the desired "open se-
same," and I was ushered into the little
parIor. Yes, this was Lilly's home. I
gazed around me as though was in the
precinct of some holy spot. As my eyes
wandered around the sweetly scented lit
tie parIor, 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, read her-my Lilly's-name on
them. lifted the lids slightly, and
alas! my fears were too true; they were
bridal decorations of Lillian Graham.
I barely managed to recover myself al
an open carriage drove up to the garden
| 10 oo11ll o1Srphk h,,.
soon saw an old lady and gentleman
whom at once recognized as Mr.. anc
Mrs. Graham, and then I saw the deal
face of Lilly-saw it to notice that it wa
pale, thin and sad-saw it to quickly
tell that even prosperity, and perhaps
the prospect of an advantageous mar
rage, had not made her look better thai
the merry little maiden of sweet seven
i teen.
And then saw gentleman, tall ant
t we'll dressed, with his back toward me
s giving some directions to the coachman
More than this could not see, for tn
old couple had entered the parlor.
ooh, Mr.. and Mrs. Graham" I said
d eagerly, "do you not know met"
81 really haven't that HONOR some
r what stif1y replied the old gentleman.
b what! not know Bob Phillips, tina
r went to Australia eight years ago2"
"Bob Phlllipsl good Godv'
/ This last was uttered by the tall ger
g tleman, in state of undisguised sal
l prise.
My name had seemed to create a va
a ried impression upon them all. Th
e, little old gentleman looked petrifet
IS while Mrs. Graham appeared frightened
n and presently broke out quite tragicall,
Il "Robert Phillips! risen from h
y gravel
"Risen from his gravea' said I, grow
ID ing still more confused and surprised
Iy this unexpected turn of affairs.
rs Eyes, sir, from his grave" said M
I'd Markham; ''yes, sir; it is NO use of yol
t. trying to pass yourself off as that your
er man. He has been dead these thr,
as years. was present at his funeral m
1t SELF
ne Indeed" said I, smiling, but almo
Of chilling Mr. Markham to death with Il
as scrutjnizing glance gave him. "Ah!
OF recollect seeing you In Australia.
d. think"
You are an imposter, and shall
to forced to put you out of the house if y,
e- do not instantly leave
IL Every fine words, Mr.. Simon Ra
IL alias Markhsm. shall turn you out j
ot stead--thiet would-be-murderer, a
a double dyed villain.
CHI Amid the screams of the servant al
so Mrs Graham, and not needing the feel
we expostulations of the old gentleman,
in closed and struggled to the passage. He
with little muscular exertion and we
on directed blow between the eyes, / SO