The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-12-02
"Why-why do you address me by

ut is tho name you gave me on the
card you sent NE this afternoon; and,
Mr. Harlan, believe it is your real
l naMe."
A"I-sent you that name?"
"Here it is, sir-Augustus Heath
cotel My wife saw you with this
card. You forgot yourself in the OK
citcmenl."
"Well, supposlng I do bear an as
sumcd name. What is that to you?
We have been friendly in our relations
| You have no reason to do aught but
csteem me. We have lived side by
side for two years. What have you
against mes"
r. Against Mr.. Harlan, nothing; but
have heard before of Mr.. HeaIhcotc.
lie was in my uncle's employ. Job
Gardner, of Pittsburg, Pa.-You
wince. There can be no mistake.
You are Augustus Heathcote."
| 81 am. l have been basely SANDER
ed. Circumstances have borne against
ING. You know my real self. Can
| yon imagine could have dono what
have been condemned for?"
"Condemned! You are not con-
demned? p
"Condemed in every ones opinion,
! or would not have changed my name.
How did escape? Only because no
trace Of the money could be found in
my possession. Years have passed
since. show no signs of wealth At
present What would you have? I
am inp0cent, though my nsrno is dis
graced. 1t mattered not until the last
two or three years whether bOro it
or not. was wanderer in Europe,
whore, in extreme pcnury, cultivat-
ed the art talent with which was en-
dowed. l earned my living in Ger
many by serving as model. Wealth
where is it? Where is the hundred
thousand dollars l am supposed to
have stolen? was acquitted, as you
allow. Why refuse my hand?"
"With mention of your name came
the bitter thought that through you,
perhaps, L and my family are poor. 1
was my uncle's heir"
"You? Where was his son?"
"Dead. Did you not know that?"
allow long since2 Father and son
both dead2"
"He died shortly after you werc ac-
Quilted and you disappeared.'
And your uncle left but small
property?"
ale did. The robbery deprived
him of most OF his capital. That and
his sons death preyed dpon his spir-
its. lilo was successful i'll his business
ever after"
you arc his sole heir?"
81 am"
"You may DO wealthy yet. That
100000 in bonds and securities yet
exists. l have all idea. have always
been certain that the son took that
money. l had alono the key of the
safe and knew the combination-it
was that condemned me; but-but l
found wax OH tho key one day, and
Pvc heard Mr.. Gardner talk in his
sleep during his after-dinner nap.
The son dead, you shall have the mon
ey. / thank heaven l sent you that
postal card, that have brought you
to know Augustus Heathcote3'
The door of the studio had been
closed as this exciting conversation
progressed, and the participants had
seated themselves half-unconsciously.
"Lct lie, however," continued the
artist, ''be Harlan to you as usual, and
to your wife. DO not disclose my Sc
cret unless fail to restore you your
property. Harlan is the name L wish
to bear-the name l think l shall yet
make distinguished"
"You go too FAST" responded his
auditor; ''you claim to know appar-
emily where the property is. Why
should not think, then, that you have
hid it7 You make me again suspic-
iOus Of you" a-
II may speak too hastily, but 1 am
sanguine OF success. / will tell you
why. Shortly after was acquitted
almost Immediately after leaving the |
court-roOm-I encountered George
Gardner In his fathers grounds,
whittier went to obtain my few per- |
sUnal effects. We were alone, and !
smartinx with the suspicion environ
Ing me-for = series of grOans had at
tended the jury's verdict told him |
l knew lie was the thief, and that |
would watch and wait until could |
prove it. With that left him, and |
soon forgot my threat but he did not. |
believe it may have killed him-he
was q very coward, whom fear would
drive to suicide"
He died suddenly. 1t was said of
heart disease"
.'lf he stole the money, as am sure,
1t il hid soinew here in the garden at
tached to his fathers house. 1t has
never been heard of, you say; then it !
is there. II you can grant me the
right 10 explore that thoroughly, I am
convinced that you will find the mon-
sy." :.
"But why should I mot then think
you hid it?"
because deny that when restore
1t to you."
"What causes you to think it is
there?"
at was there that our encounter
took place, and have often since
at tho direction that his
eye took MS l talked to him. Many
other signs escaped him which made
me judge since, as in my rage l did
not then, that we stood not far from
the treasure"
'It seems to me a wild idea"
"But the money has not turned up.
Where is it? Have you a right to
those grounds now?"
"The house is rented, but own it,"
"Will you aid me to make the trial2"
81 will 60 with YOU"
"I shall not be recognized. l was
but STRIPPING then. 1t is agreed. Can
we start Tomorrow"
Eyes"
"Well, then, goodnight"
oPOh . thO
day, Harlan explained why he felt so
sure their search would be successful.
The property would naturally be left
by timid man where it had been de-
posted, until time for its safe use
came. That time had never come.
yet experienced a degree of
mingled with his de-
light, ut having his representations
realized for the treasure was found
In the garden, enclosed in n wooden
box. ami that after but an hours ex-
ploration and digging. Although for
full fifteen years it had lain there the
papers were but little stained by
mould, and their value was uninjured.
MIR. Whittredge was a rich man.
The artist has recently finished a
large painting entitled ''Good News
A charming face therein, of little
girl, who is represented handing let