Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1882-04-26

said Homer. +" Certainly it was not to
tell you, what everybody knows, that
this is the finest situation about here.
But have in my possession part of an
ornament which, believe, belongs to
Miss Laud."
"You! What is it ?"
Ashton bowed and smiled also, as he
handed the other his discovery of the
night but one before. ''Does it belong
to your daug liter ?" he said.
But Sir Gresham was too bewildered
to answer him.
''That ?" he cried. "Good Heavensl
that +? Where did you find it? It's a
clue"
GA clue to what ?" cried Homer
eagerly. He felt on the brink of dis
covering how a lady's ornament could
come in SO strange place.
But Sir Gresham was too excited by
some suggestion awakened by the sight
OF the stone to have an idea of trying to
satisfy any curiosity but his own.
"Where did you find it !? /" he repeated.
Sis it your daughters ?" returned
Homer.
g Yes, it must be hers" and remem-
bering at last to thank the young man
for returning it, he stood with the stone
in his hand waiting impatiently for full
account of it's recovery.
"Does Sir Gresham Laud suppose
that came here for the purpose of tell
ing a midnight adventure to him {? y
thought Homer, as look of amusement
fitted across his face. eff you will be
so kind" he answered suavely, "as to
ask Miss Laud if she will do me the
favor to identify her ornament, shall
be most happy to tell you, and her if
she cares to know, how came by it.
Sir Gresham hesitated only an instant.
Assuredly," he said, and sent for his
daughter.
The young mans heart beat faster at
the sound of light steps behind him.
Suppose Violet were plain and heavy
looking, yet suppose-he turned hastily,
but not too soon for the beautiful face
that was coming toward him. "She was
named for her eyes," thought Homer;
and there was something else he thought
too, that could no more than this be
spoken at the moment. She greeted him
with simplicity that charmed him; but
when she saw the medallion in her faith
er's hand she cried:
ooh, Papa, my bracelet clasp; where
did you get it? Have they found out
the robbers ?"
Homer's eyes opened wide at her
words.
Robbers?" he repeated "That's
it, then ?" Perhaps [ really did hear
and see something after all. And after
moment in which three people stood
facing each other with looks of inquiry
he began al account OF his expedition to
the ruin. He was truthful in every de-
tail, yet the story sounded remarkably
well as he told it, watching Violet's face
and seeing her shiver and grow pale in
imagining the blackness of the old eel
lars. If she would but Glove him for
the dangers he had passed." he knew
nothing of war, to be sure, except of per-
sonal struggles with misfortune, out of
place to be told here, yet having left
their mark upon him in q consciousness
of power to dare and conquer adverse
circumstances.
GIVE 10 doubt they carried their
booty there" exclaimed Sir Gresham,
his thoughts still In the ruins, an in
finite distance behind the young mans
winged fancy and supplementing the
narrative which Ashton had just finished.
While Violet was listening to her fathers
account of a daring burglary committed
the winter before while the family were
in the house, Ashton had an opportunity
to study her face more critically, or,
rather, more admiringly, It was posi-
BILE he did not drop all the admiration
out Of his expression as from time to
time she turned to him to explain more
fully something that her father was say
ing.
"I've no doubt the villains bring their
booty miles to hide it In the ruin" said
Sir Gresham. ''This medallion''was the
clasp of heavy gold bracelet. 1t was
given to my daughter by a friend, and
she is much obliged to you, am sure,
for finding it.
Indeed [ am, said Violet, coloring
little as she spoke.
g 1t Is / who am under obligation to
fate, answered Homer; st have found
something that Miss Laud Values"
"The rest of the bracelet has been
melted down long ago." pursued Sir
Gresham. ''That place ought to be
searched"
Yes" said Homer; when will you
do it 2"
The baronet looked somewhat taken
aback at this energetic suggestion.
"No doubt, he answered, " and per-
haps, DR.. Ashton. you would like to be
one of the party if [ go with some of nv
neighbors? I suppose it ought to be
done at once within day or two" he
went on. as the other assented, ''lest
they should take alarm at your intrusion
upon them. When should you advise
going %
"This moment" cried Homer. ssIt's
wonder that we Americans have any
grassin our country" he added, smiling,
we are so averse to letting it grow un-
der our feet"
He met VioLet's eyes as he finished,
and read in them an admiration and IN
terest. In another moment he had
turned away on some trihing pretext,
but, undoubtedly, she was blushing.
How was Homer to know that she had
once declared that she would marry the
who would