The Osceola times., 1886-04-03


broke in the listener. "Of course. he
could not raise the money, and equally,
of course, you could not ask him to do
so."
Certainly, we could not think of such
thing replied the schoolmstress.
Both sat silent for few minutes. The
doctor finally spoke in his CHEEKY way.
swell. my dear, I've been in brown
study-though this is an uncommonly
bright one to-day-and l think we will
dismiss the subject for the present.
Only let me say this, think SEQ way
out OF the woods. Now here is bun
die of | don't know what, odds and
ends, ! suppose. You will lind, think,
some Congressional autographs among
them some old deeds, perhaps, and ]
don't know what not.n
Perhaps | shall find some nuggets
for you" said the schoolmistress, as she
began asserting the papers.
Annie Lystor was the teacher of the
village school IT. Oldfield delightful
Connecticut hill town. and had become
SO great favorite with the eccentric,
klnd-hearted doctor, that ii was now
the regular thing for her to spend her
Saturdays and Sundays at his home-a
welcome relief from her boarding-pl
The doctor had given up active practice,
and enjoyed Il life of leisure at his
quaint country mansion, indulging his
antiquarian and literary tastes. Ths
bright young school mistress was a
ready assistant, delighting to be of ser.
vice to her kindly host She found this
morning, In the miscellaneous lot OF
letters and documents rich mine.
There was page of John Randolph's
plain and precise hand, carefully pune
tuated, part of an article which he had
published in the National Inteliigencer;
then some ancient copies of deeds, Of
small value as autographs, even note
in the dainty hand of Edward Everett.
accepting an invitation TO dine; there
was a letter from Edward Stanley to
Henry A. Wise, asking advice about a
deed. This she had to read to the doe
tor, who looked up from his manuscript
simply to say: Good auto--index it, "
and resumed his quill. She took up n
sheet, glanced at it, her eyes widened.
and she gave an exclamation of sur.
prise.
The doctor resignedly laid down his
pen Found gem?" he asked.
'Not exactly; but isn't it stranger
Here's letter addressed to Colonel
Holmes, of Rockbury. He was the
father of Mr.. Holmes. who holds the
| fatal mortgage.
"Eh!" CALCULATED the doctor and then
after moments reflection he said:
Not so strange after all. You see
there is or rather was, doctor up there
whom | knew years ago, and is dead
now, believe-Dr. Merrell-perhaps
you remember him. We kept up a des-
ultory sort of correspondence. He
knew my passion for old furniture,
and few years ago he sent me an old
secretary which he picked up some
where. There were some old papers
in it, which must have put in that
bundle of odds and ends"
She handed him slip of paper which
he glanced at and then studied attenti-
vely,
"Miss Lyster." said he in business
tone. She was all attention. "WheD
did your father dieP'
"Four years ago, Sir, in August"
"You said your mother thought that
mortgage had been paidp"
"Ihat is what we supposed, but he
was never very communicative to MS
upon business affairs
"Well / believe it was paid. Did you
read this paper carefully? OF course
you did not. This is receipt from
Israel Holmes that's your Colonel
Holmes | suppose--to Abram Lyster
for the sum of $500, signed Aug. 4, 18-.
What could it have been for except that
mortgageP This is important news, my
dear. If your tyrannical money-lender
were aware of the existence of this little
slip of paper he would not be so fierce.
Now let him go ahead"
II can not think that he knows of il.
His father died soon after mine, and in
some way"
''In some mysterious way" inter-
rupted the doctor, "the most important
| acknowledgment of the receipt of $500
was overlooked; in some mysterious
way, with other papers in Colonel
Holmes desk, it got showed into an old
secretary, fate sent it to me, fate sent
you here, and what is meant by it all il
that wrong is to be righted, as it gener'
ally is in the long run.
Miss Lvster was too astonished to
speak. The doctor wrote long letter
to John Redwood, whom he believed
he could trust with the affair, and not
without reason, for few days after a
reply came stating that Holmes was
amazed. indeed, at the production OF
the receipt, but after examination could
not dispute its genuineness, and had
very honorably released the mortgage.
restoring the interest paid for -four
years. II can be imagined that when
Annie Lyster went home she was re-
ceived rs little less than heroine. Her
mother was brighter than she had been
for years. Even Jane, the ''hclp," "
could not forbear hugging Miss Annie,
and when honest John Redwood came
over in the evening. ''jcst to look in
and say how-de-do.h as he bashfully
excused his call, he stayed till the un-
seemly hour of eleven o'clock. 1t is to
be presumed that his bashfulness was
delightfully."- dissipated. The next Christ
mas there was wedding. The genial
| old doctors absence was atoned for in
part by his present-an autograph at
| the bottom of q very ornamental check,
and miniature bronze knight in armor
to guard it.-E1chdnge.