The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-07-22
The Golden Talisman.


you to be thief, but will be 80 mercifui
that will let you depart: 90 at once"
The voice and face were stern and un.
yielding.
Geoffrey Baird knew that all the piteous
appeals he had made, the assertions of in
nocence he had frantlcally declared had fal-
len upon ears not indeed deaf, but closed
to him.
''You have been very kind to me, Mr..
hoyt," he said, his voice quivering with
pain, sand hope some day you will know
that | had rather cut off my right hand
than let 1t rob you"
There was no reply, and the boy, for lie
was only nineteen, walked slowly from the
room, where he had been accused of crime,
condemned and punished in 4 brief half
hour.
He was a Widows only son, and very
poor, but Abraham Hoyt had been very
kind to him, employing him in light labor
about his extensive grounds, and trying him
well, and allowing him to read whatever he
wished in his library.
and chain had been stolen from a table
drawer, when there was no one as far as
could be ascertaincd, in the room but Geof-
frey Baird.
Crushed, humiliated, almost heart broken
the lad walked from the house across the
wide garden, bright with summer bloom
that seemed to mock his misery. He had
his hand upon the great iron gate leading
called, in clear, childish voice.
'Jeff, jeff! Oh, wait moment i"
And then, turning his heavy eyes, he
saw fairy of ten summers, goldcn-haired
darling, dressed all in white, coming down
the broad walk with flying feet.
OF all the treasures his employer pos
sesscd, Godfrey knew this, his only child,
was the dearest. Motherlcss 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?"
"No. Miss Daisy, never took it,"
81 know ltl I'm going, to find out who
did take 1t. And jeff, you must take
this"
She opened her tiny white hand to show
lying upon the palm a broad twcnty-dollar
geld piece. But the boy shrank back.
NJ, no, Miss Daisy" he said 81 can
But you must. 1t is my own, my very
own. Aunt Louise gave it to me on nv
birthday. In the corner scratched M. H.
for Margaret Hoyt, with pin, but guess
1t 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, say
ing:
81 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 flying curls out on
the summer air that waited to Geoffrey a
hst-
"Good-by, dear Jcff.'
With a heavy heart he went homeward
to tell ! 8 sorrow and disgrace. He feared
it would almost kill his mother, but after
hearing him patiently, she said
81 had letter from Albany this morn
ing, Geoffrey, from my fathers lawyers.
Twenty-Five years ago my father cast me
Off for marrying a poor man. He died
without forgiving me but to you he has left
his fortune-nearly half million in money
upon condition you take his name when
you are of age. I have packed up yonr
possessions, and we will 60 to Albany to-
night.
''blargaret |"
The voice was sharp and imperative, and
Margaret Hoyt, looked up from the task of
teaching Alice Bristow her letters, to
answer, but before she spoke the beautiful
girl who entered the school-room said:
'Margarct, l want you to come and
chow Elsie how to trim my dress for to-
night. Everybody said you had rich ex-
auisite taste before your father failed and
died."
Tho pale, patient face flushed a little at
tho cruel words, but Laura Brlstow did not
heed the pain she had given.
"Come now," she said mpaticntly: 81
want to look particularly well, for Willard
Wharton ls coming. 1t isthe first party since
lie came from Europe. He has been vcgc-
tating in Florence ever so long, with a
consumptive mother; but shc died a year
ago, and after travelling awhile he has come
home. Did you know him 3'
81 never heard the name"
Come to think of It, he left long before
you came"
Alice's primer was put aside, and Mar
garot accompanied Laura to the room where
her fincry was being prepared for brilliant
party few hours lator.
"Miss Hoyt," Miss Bristow said looking
up from the clond Of tulle under her fin
gers, 81 wish you to come down to play,
and wish you to wear white lace ruffies
and white flower or two in your hair.
That will not interfere with your mourning,
but you, will look. a little less like a mute at
u funeral"
TO hear was to obey. Mrs. Brlstow was
COnnnntlOn
when he died leaving his only child to pov-
orty, the lady impressed upon stricken
Daisy that she was placed undcran enormous
weight Of obligation by being permitted to
DO gov6rness, lady's maid, general useful
factotum In her family. ~
But the soft violet eyes had lost nothing
OF their sweetness thegolden hair gathered
into rich knot. was full of waves and
ringlets, making tiny baby curls around
he delicate oval Of her pale face, and the