Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-07-22
The Golden TaliSman.

81 cannot recommend you, believing
you to be thief, but will be so merciful
that will let you depart. 60 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 fall
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, "snd hope some day you will know
that | had rather cut off my right hand
than let it rob you."
There was no reply, and the boy, for he
was only nineteen, walked slowly from the
room, where he had been accused of crime,
condemned and punished in brief half
hour.
He was a widows only son, and very
poor, but Abraham Hovt 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 from the library valuable watch
and chain had been stolen from a table
drawer, when there was no one as far as
could be ascertained 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
into the road, when he heard his name
called, in a clear, childish voice.
"Jetf, JEFF Oh, wait moment !"
And then, turning his heavy eyes, he
saw fairy of ten summers, golden haired
darling, dressed all in white, coming down
the broad walk with flying feet.
OF all the treasures his employer pos
sessed, Godfrey knew this, his only child,
was the dearest. Motherless from her
birth, she had been her fathers idol her
whole petted life.
'Jetf," she painted, coming to his side
you must go away, papa says. but IknoR
your"
mo. Miss Daisy, never took it. "
81 know 1t! I'm going to find out who
did take it. And JEFF, you must take
this"
She opened her tiny white hand to show
living upon the palm broad twenty-dollar
gold piece. But the boy shrank back.
NO no, Miss Daisy" he said 81 can
no.
But you must. 1t is my own, my very
own. Aunt Louise gave it to me on my
birthday. In the corner scratched 'M. ii,
for Margaret Hoyt, with pin, but l guess
it won't hurt it. Please, please, dear Jett,
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 Geohrey a
last
"Good-by, dear JEFF. D."
With heavy heart he went homeward,
to tell his 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. de died
without forgiving me but to you he has left
his fortune-nearly half a million in money
upon condition you take his name when
you are of age. have packed up your
possessions, and we will go to Albany to-
night.
"Margaret /"
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:
margaret, / want you to come and
show Elsie how to trim my dress for to-
: night Everybody said you had rich ex-
uuisite taste before your father failed and
died."
The pale, patient face flushed little al
the cruel words, but Laura Brstow did mo-
heed the pain she had given.
Come now," she said lmpatiently; 50
want to look particularly well, for Willard
Wharton Is coming. 1t is the first party since
: he came from Europe. He has been vege
tating in Florence eyer SO long, With !
consumptive mother; but she died yea
ago, and after travelling awhile he has CONF
= nome. Olu you AAOW AAAA
. 81 never heard the name"
''Come to think of it, he left long betor
L. you came"
- Alice's primer was put aside, and Mar
garet accompanied Laura to the room wher
her fnery was being prepared for brillian
party few hours later.
tMiss HoYt," Miss BristoW said lookin
I'D from the cloud of tulle under her fin
gers, 81 wish you to come down to play
and I wish you to wear white lace rufie
= and a white flower or two in your hail
That will not interfere with your mourning
but you win look little less like mute q
funeral"
To hear WAS to obey. Mrs. BFistow ws
distant connection of Mr.: Hoyt's an
when he died leaving his only child to poN
9 erty, the lady impressed upon stricke
- Daisy that she was placed under an enormor
weight of obligation by being permitted
be governess, lady's maid, general usef'
factotum in her family.
But the soft violet eyes had lost nothir
of their sweetness; the golden hair gathere
into a rich knot, was full of waves an
ringlets, making tiny baby curls aroun
he delicate oval of her pale face, and ii