San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1882-01-12

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She extended her dimpled hands, and
something like shower of stars fell at
the boys feet. He caught 1t up in
amazement-a necklace of emeralds,
lustrous, cleaning things set in tawny
Indian gold.
mo, no." he cried. running up to
where she stood. II cannot take this
necklace take it back"
"You shall take H." she continued,
imperiously. shave lots of fine jewell
nv and fine things run home now and
buy your sister something to eat"
She closed the door with a bang, and
Ross stood irresolute in the stormy
gloom. Should he ring the bell and
return the jewels to Pansie's father, or
should he do as she babe him? He
Thought of his mother and poor little
Flora watching wistfully for his return.
He could not 60 back to see them
starve. With sudden feeling of des-
peration he thrust the glittering neck
lace in his pocket and dashed down the
street. .Ir.
The gaslight blazed brilliantly in a
fashionable jewelry establishment, and
its bland proprietor looked down in
quringly on little Ross as he approached
the glittering counter.
"Would you like to buy this, sir?"
There was tremor in the boys voice
as he asked the question, and the hand
that held the emerald necklace shook
visibly. The lapidary took the gems,
examining them closely far moment,
and then shot sharp glance at the
child.
"See here" he said, presently, his
voice stern and commanding. Il want
to know how you came by this"
The boys clear eyes fell; he blushed
and stammered, evidently embarrassed.
The jeweler pnt aside the emeralds and,
taking the lads arm, led him into a
small ante-room.
"You are thief, sir" he said. "That
necklace belongs to MIR. Fontenay-he
bought it of me not n month ago. You
stole it; you are thief"
The little fellow Strengthened himself,
and his brown eyes blazed. Il am no
thief" he retorted. "a little girl gave
it to me, and knew it, was wrong to
take it, but my mother and sister
are starving"
"You don't look like thief" he said;
"but will send for Mr.. Fontenay; that
will settle the matter at once"
He dispatched messenger accord
ingly, and Ross sat down in corner and
sobbed bitterly as he heard the driving
wind and thought of his mother and
poor little Flora. In half an hour Mr..
Fontenay came bringing his little
daughter Pansie with him. The little
creature darted towards Ross like O
humming bird, her cheeks ablaze, her
eyes flashing lightning.
Gle didn't steal my emeralds!" she
cried, Il gave 'em to him to sell 'em,
and buy bread for his little sister,"
Ross sprang to his feet, struggling
hard to keep back his tears. He put
out his little brown hand, which Pansie
instantly clasped in her chubby palms.
81 am not thief, sir" he said at last
addressing Mr.. Fontenay; 81 never
stole anything in my life. know it
was wrong to take the necklace-but-
but, sir. my little sister is starving"
The merchant drew his hand across
his eyes. you're a manly little fell
low," he said, patting the little lads
head, "and I do not in the least blame
you, but I will take Pansies emerald's
and she shall give something more
available. Here, Pansie, give this to
your little friend"
He put a gold piece into Pansie's
hands, which she rendered to Ross
with the injunction that he should run
straight home and buy lots of goodies
for his sister-a command he was not
slow to obey.
81 think we shall not lose sight of
the little fellow, continued Mr.. Fonte
nay, as Ross disappeared in the stormy
darkness. "Shall we pet2 Lets see
what we can do to help him. He's a
promising young lad, and an honest
one, I'm sure. Mr.. Lenox, you're in
need of an errand boy; why not try
him? 1 wish you would"
The ieweler consented, to Pansie's
great delight, and on the following day
Ross was duly installed as an errand
boy in the fashionable establishment.
Fifteen years after, one clustering
March morning young man sat be-
hind the counter of thriving jewe]ry
in one of the northern
cities. He was handsome man, trav-
eller, man of taste, intellect, and
money, for he was junior partner in
the firm, which was prosperous one.
But, despite his good fortune, Eoss
Dunbar was not happy. His mother
and his little Flora had gone to their
long home and he was utterly alone In
the world, without kith or kin.
Sitting alone one morning, with the
roar of the March wind in his ears, his
thoughts were running back to the days
of his boyhood, to his mothers humble
home. How vivid the past seemed, and
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