The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-05-26

linen the young man was clumsy and
Sophie deliciously hard to please, where
upon he pretended he was very glad he
did not go to her school, and She de-
clared it was great pity he didn't.
Guess you'd get more n one lickin'
if you did," put in Rob.
Couldn't she give him some private
tuition, after business hours? Barrows
suggested. What branch did he wish
to pursue, please? Rob was much cast
down that he could not catch the re-
ply; but it did not escape the bows
keen eye that Sophie was ''blushin' like
house afire"
! The old desk was fast taking on a
homo less, uninhabited look. One could
fancy tiny echo in the empty pigeon
holes, like that which haunts deserted
house. Sophie felt that she was sad; vet
who could be utterly miserable with that
whisper still in her ear?
" And now we've come to the little
closet, said Sophie, somehow impelled
to talk fast. /" used to think that that
door, with its little brass knob and
hinges, was the ideal front door for
dolls mansion. Then look at the rich
Corlnthian columns on each side. Aren't
they beauties? There isn't much in il:
one eye of mothers spectacles, a last
years calendar, some rusty pens and
here Rob is your whistle that mother
hid No sign of any gold, grandma.
The golden age is over in this family
and there was the echo. Of the old bitter
ness in her laugh.
There, the poor old thing is empty.
Good-by to itr'
But Barrows seemed in no hurry to
move away. He examined the work
manship infinitely and was anxious
that Sophie should appreciate its fine
points.
Simon Powers sat with his head for
ward and looked absently at his thin
hands, which lay idly in his lap. From
time to time he looked up at his wife.
"What is it, dear?' she said low to
him.
Nothing; but it sort of puts heart in
me to see you while they're pulling
over my things there, as if l was dead
and gone"
chats what a wife's for, Simon
Powers"
The little grandmother softly dozed
in her corner, starting up suddenly now
and then with look that asked if any
one accused her of being asleep.
Rob sat at the table, with one eye on
the first conjugation and the other on
his sister. He gave Matte kick I'M
der the table occasionally that was in
tended to convey volumes.
You'd better ha' let me clean out
that rubbish" he said at last, address,
ing himself to the company. II could
have done it in Just about ne-tenth the
time them two are fooling over it.
"Hullo-o-on' cried Barrows, sudden
ly. ''Corinthian column, you call that,
do you? Put your eye down there,
Miss Sophie. That's what is usually
called crack, isn't it? Do you give
me leave to investigate? I'll try the
blade of my penknife in it. Yes, there's
no doubt about its being a crack. Now,
Miss Sophie, l suspect a drawer. Let's
to work"
''H there is a drawer" said Mrs.
Powers, anxiously, 81 shouldn't want
to have it go out of our hands without
! being sure it was empty and clean.
Robbie, why can't you help?"
"Miss Sophie, said Barrows, ''if you
were to take hold at the base and | at
the capital, perhaps we could bring it,"
"Here, give me hold of it, - said Rob;
but his sister ignored him.
"It's just like SCOTS novels" said
Matte, delightedly. Il always did
wish we had secret panel or some
thing. I'm sure our house is old
enough"
Zone, two, three! Now, Miss Sophie"
One, two, three!
"It's comingr cried Barrows, with
the ardor of Schliemann. "Some-
thing heavy in it. That's the trouble.
There, I've got hold of it. 1t sticks
little. One more pull. Nowv' And he
held in his hand long, deep and mar
row drawer. Its front had tried 10
make the world believe that il was an
innocent little Corinthian column, whose
sole duty had been TO stand guard at
the tiny closet-door.
II said it was heavy, did I?' said
Barrows, in queer voice. Suppose
you try it and see, Mr.. Powers. " And
he put the drawer into the sick mans
hands.
One look, and Simon Powers dropped
it to the floor ''Sallie. it's goldl It's
goldrn he cried, with shaking voice.
The glittering pieces rolled in every
direction. Nobody but Rob thought of
pursuing them.
I'm going TO see what's in the other
feller," said that enterprising boy.
"Graciousl That sticks worse'n the
other. I'll fetch il, though"
And "fetch" il he did. though il was
filled to the brim with heavy coin.
what do YOU think of that, Grandma
Powers? and of that, and of that?'
"Simon." said his wife, with her
hand on his shoulder, didn't tell you
all along we weren't forgotten?h
"Yes, Mr. Powers, you're lucky
man." said Barrows, with hearty
grasp Of the hand. That's what / call
a genuine antique"
'And II IL hadn't been for you" said
Sophie. looking up into his face, and
her sentence was finished with her hap
piest smile.
Mrs. Punderson called next day. As
she rode away she told Miss Violet
VarHes that these people were certainly
the most disagreeable she had ever had