The Princeton union., 1880-01-21
fancied f we heard something moving in
the room below

much, we had still some gold that had
not been dispatched to Melbourne. We
knew that somebody, acquainted with it's
hidlng-place, had, escaping our notice,
secreted himself in the cabin to gain
possession OF it.
When we heard him move again, and,
as we correctly thought, he had gained
our hidden nuggets, we crawled silently
to the hole that gave entry to our little
bedroom and looked down.
All was dark, yetwe could see the
ohm outline of 4 man moving thither and
shither as though he knew every inch Of
the ground he trod. Now, we knew he
would be certain to carry arms, and so
we had to be exceedingly cautious.
stick he had beside him, and hung it
over the hole, shouting as he did 50:
"Who's there2
We received no answer, but THOUGHT
we saw the figure move nearer to the
cabin. \Z-t-t au.,Fs
ANSWER, continued Tom, waving the
old fur hat, ''answer, or I'll fire" 01.s.>@
But Tom had no time to do anything
of the kind, for the rascal fired directly,
and I, looking through chink in the
rough and divided flooring, saw and re-
cognized the thief as one to whom Tom
and l had been the best of friends. It
was Simon Bdil, a man whose reputation
had been Of late far from satisfactory ,l,.-
Tom and were unhurt, and ere we
could get down, for we had noticed the
villain had removed the ladder, Simon
Rail had escaped to cover. IL sUE
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 I
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 sought
NO. - Northamton square. 1t all seemed
the same. Seven years and a half had
very little altered London, so far as l
could see. Yes, it all seemed the same
until l reached her house. E-r
Chow dirty and neglected. thought 7,
as gazed up at the dingy yet familiar
old place. Il am certain Lilly cannot
be here, or everything would look bright
er and cleaner. Perhaps they have moved.
I'll knock and see.'' ....
So gave the door series of loud
raps just to enhance its wakefulness.
''Well, sir, what is it2''
1t was an old dirty looking woman
that spoke, as she half opened. the door.
''Do the Grahams live here still9'
Live here! bless yer, no! They are
rich folks now.'' = ,--
'Rich9' said l, and I believe 1 looked
dreadfully angry, as though I thought
they had no right to be rich.
Eyes, rich p 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 lett it,
ten months ago. Llve-why, let me see
near Reading, I think,
little village called D.. But that's
not the shop. The shop'si in town some
where. A stationer's I've heard say,
and
''Thank you, thank you, that will do,
Here is trlt1e to drink success to nv
search.'
l 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 I explain
ed that 1 was friend of the family. and
had come avery long way expressly to
see them.
This gained me the desired "open se-
same," and I was ushered into the little
parlor. Yes, this was Lifly's home. 1
gazed around me as though was in the
precinct of some holy spot. AS my. ewes
wandered around the sweetly scented lit
tie paror, they rested at last on some
boxes that lay upon the table.
had seen such boxes in my youth, and
knew them to contain the appurtenances
of marriage garments.
Yes, l read her-my Liiiy's-name on
them. l lifted the lids slightly, and
alas! my tears were too true; they were
bridal decorations of Lillian Graham.
barely managed to recover myself as
an open carriage drove up to the garden
gate. ! could not see them alight, but
soon saw an old lady and gentleman,
whom | at once recognized as Mr.. and
Mrs. Graham, and then 1 saw the dear
face of Lilly-saw it to notice that it was
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 than
the merry little maiaen of sweet seven
teen. ~.-~. .a's.- -~s@# ~
And then saw gentleman, tall and
we'll dressed, with his back toward me,
giving some directions to the coachman.-
More than this I could not see, for the
old couple had entered the parlor T
"Oh, Mr.. and Mrs Graham I said,
eagerly, ''do you not know me?'' .
81 really haven't that honor some
what stitfly replied the old gentleman.
"What not know Bob Phillips. that
went to Australia eight years ago2''5