The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1880-06-03
THE GOLDEN TALISMAN.

THE GOLDEN TALISMAN.
IL cannot recommend you, believing
you be q thief, but will be SO merci-
full that will let you depart. Go at
once"
The voice and face were stern and
unyielding.
Geofrey Baird knew that all the pite-
Gus appeals he had made, the asser-
tons of innocence he had frantically de.
clared, had fallen 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, land 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 not nineteen, walked slowly from
the room, where he had been accused
of crime, condemned and punished in
brief half hour.
He was widows only son, and very
poor, but Abraham Hoyt had been very
kind to him, employing him in Zig hit
labor about his extensive grounds,
trying him we'll, and allowing him
to read whatever he wished in his Ii.
brary.
And from the library a 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 Godfrey Baird.
Crushed, Inundated, 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 beard his named called, in clear,
childish voice.
"Jeff, Jeff Oh, wait moment!'
And then, turning his heavy eyes, he
saw q fairy of ten summers, golden
haired darling, dressed all in white, COM
ing 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.
"Jeff," she painted, coming to bis
side, 'you must 60 away, papa says,
but know you never, never took the
watch! Did you?"
''No, Miss Daisy, I never took it."
II know it! I'm going to find out who
did take it. And jeff, you must take
this"
She opened her tiny white hand to
ty.dollar gold piece. But the boy
shrank back.
"No, no, Miss Daisy" he said, II can
not"
"But you must. It is my OVID, nay
very own. Aunt Louise gave it to me
on my birthday. In the corner I
scratched M. H. for Margaret Hoyt;
with a pin, but I 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, saying:
II will find out who did take the
watch, jeff, and then you will come
back"
Before he could answer she was speed
ing back to the house, her curls flying
out on the summer air that waited to
Godfrey last
"Good-by, dear jeff"
With a heavy heart he went home
ward, to tell his sorrow and disgrace.
He feared it would almost kill his moth
er, but after hearing him patiently, she
said:
II had q letter from Albany this
morning, Godfrey, from my fathers
lawyers. twenty-five years ago my
father cast me off for marrying poor
man. He died without forgiving
me but to you he has left
his fortune-nearly half q million
in money-upon condition you take
his name when you are of age. I have
will go to Albany tonight.
"Margaretv'
The voice was sharp and and imper-
alive. and Margareto Hoyt looked up
from the task of teaching little Alice
Bristow her letters, to answer, but be-
fore 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 such
exquisite taste before your father failed
and died."
The pale, patient face flushed a lit
tie at the cruel words, but Laura
Bristow did not heed the pain she had
given.
"Come now" she said impatiently;
II want to look particularly well, for
Willard Wharton is coming. It is the