The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-02-11
THE GOLDEN TALIsMAN.

al can not recommend you, believing you
TO be a thief, but will be so merciful that l
will let you depart. 60 at once"
The voice and face were stern and unyield-
ing.
Geoffrey Baird knew that all the piteous
appeals he had made, the assertions of inno-
cence he had frantically declared, had fallen
upon ears not indeed deaf, but closed to him.
"You have been very kind TO me- Mr..
Hovt." he said, his voice quivering with pain,
"and l hope some day you will know that
had rather cut of my right hand than let it
rob YOU
There was no reply, and the boy, for he
was not 19. walked slowly from the room
where he had been accused of crime, con-
demned and punished in brief half hour.
He was a widows only son, and very poor,
butAbraham Hoyt had been very kind to him,
employing him in light labor about bis ex-
tensive grounds, trying him well, and allow
ing him to read whatever he wished in his
library.
And from the library a valuable watch
and chain had been stolen from table
drawer, when there was no one as far ~
could be sscertained, 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 latch of the great iron gate leading
into the road, when he heard his name called,
In a clear, childish voice.
"Jef, jeff o, wait moment
And then, turning his heavy eyes, he saw
8 fairy Of 10 summers, golden haired dar-
ling, 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.
JEFF she painted, coming to his side, you
must go away, papa says, but / know YOU
never, never took the watch Did your"
mo, Miss Daisy, / never took it."
~ 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 show
lying upon the palm a broad twenty-doliar
gold piece. But the boy shrank back.
mo, no, Miss Daisy" he said, al can not"
But you must 1t is my own, my very
own. Aunt Louise gave It TO me on my
birthday. In the corner 1 scratched M. H
for Margart Hoyt, with pin, but guess it
won't hurt it. Please, please, dear JEFF, do
take it,
She pressed il into his reluctant hand and
then throwing her arms around his neck,
: kissed him with her child lips, saving:
Il 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 curls flying out on the
summer air that waited TO Godfrey a last
Goodbye, dear jeff"
With heavy heart he went homeward
70 tell his sorrow and disgrace. He feared
itwould almost kill his mother, but after hear
ing him patiently she said:
II had letter from Albany this morning
Godfrey, from my fathers lawyers. Twenty
five years ago my father cast me off for marry
ing poor man. He died without forgiving me
but to you he has left his fortune-nearly hal
q million in money-upon condition you
take his name when you are Of age. L have
packed up your possessions, and we will &C
TO Albany tonight.
Margaret
The voice was sharp and imperative, and
Margaret Hoyt looked up from the task o.
teaching little Alice Bristow her letters, II
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 tonight
Everybody said you had such exquisite tsst'
before your father failed and died"
The pale, patient face flushed little a
the cruel words, but Laura Bristow did no
heed the pain she had given.
"Come now" she said impatiently; "a
want to look particularly well, for Willard
Wharton il coming. 1t ia the first part,
since he came from Europe. He has beer
vegetating in Florence ever so long, with
consumptive mother; but she died yea
ago, and after travelling a while be has com
home. Did you know him2"
al never heard the name"
''Come TO think of it, be left long befor
you came
Allies primer was put aside, and Margs
ret accompanied Laura to the room wher
her fnery was being prepared for a brillian
party few hours later.
Miss Hoyt" Mrs. Bristow said, lookin
up from the cloud of tulle under her finger
al wish you TO come down to play, and
wish you TO wear white lace rufles and
white flower or two in your hair. That wi
not interfere with your mourning, but 20
will look little less like mute at fun'
raj"
To hear was 10 obey. Mrs. Bristow was
distant connection of Mr.. Hoyt's and when
died, leaving his only child to poverty. I'll
lsdy impressed upon poor stricken Daisy thu
she was under an epormous weight or obligi