Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-11-19
z gleasant Sturp.
THE GOLDEN TALISMAN.

81 cannot recommend you, believing you
to be a thief, but l will be so merciful that |
will let you depart. Go at once"
The voice and face was stern and unyield-
ing.
Godfrey 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.,
Hoyt," he said, his voice quivering with
pain, "and 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 nineteen, 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,
but Abraham Hoyt had been very kind to
him, employing him in light labor about his
extensive grounds trying him well, and al
his library
And from the library valuable watch
and chain had been stolen from table
drawer, when there was no one, as far as
could be ascertained, in the room, but Geof-
frey Baird.
Crashed, 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 clear, childish voice.
"Jeff, jeff o, wait momentw
And then turning his heavy eyes, he saw
a fairy of ten 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, Geoffrey 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 IitNCl, iCNtl pODh tht hdlCh ltlu YOU
mo, Miss Daisy, never took it,"
81 know i'll 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 broad twenty dollar
gold piece But the boy shranl back.
"No, no, Miss Daisy" he said, 81 cannot"
"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 a pin, put guess
i !; won't Won I, hurt It, Please plea dear ''r
She pressed il into his reluctant hand and
then throwing her arms around his neck,
kissed him with her child's lips saying;
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 curls flying out on
the summer air that waited To Geoffrey
last:
Goodbye dear jeff"
With heavy heart he vent homeward,
10 tell his sorrow and disgrace. He feared
it would almost kill his mother, but after
hearing him patiently she aid
II had letter from Albany this morning,
Godfrey, from my fathers lawyers. TWEEN
ty-fye years ago my lathe' cast me off for
marrying poor man. He died without iog-
giving me, but 10 you ho has left his for
tune-nearly half "A million Of money
upon condition that you take his name when
you are Of age. have packed up your pos.
sessions, and we will go toAlbany tonight"
Margaret
The voice was sharp and imperative, and
Margaret lIoyt looked upfrom task Of teach
ing little Alice Bristow her letters 10 answer,
but before she spoke the beautiful girl who
entered the school-room said
Margaret, want you 10 come and show
Elsie how To trim my dress for tonight
Everybody said you hadsuch exquisite taste
before your father failed and died"
The pale, patient face flushed little at
the cruel words, but l.aura Bristow did not
heed the pain she had given
"Come, now" she aid mpatently, II
want 10 look particularly well, Tor Willard
Wharton Is coming Il T. The arst party
since be- came from Earpe; be- has been
negotiating in Florence eyg ~ long, with
consumptiye mother, but she died a year
ago. and afier travelling awhile he has come
home. DO you know hluT
II never heard the name
"Come 10 think Of il, hs lcfi long before
you came"
Allies primer was pui ude and Margaret
accompanied Laura b. ne ro0m where her