The diamond drill., 1888-12-22

secured pearl OF great price. l have
the public. Why only this morning the
you rosoluteIy try TO conceal them from
heard of many Of your kind acts, though
widow Black came out Of her dugout 20
send by me for some tea. She showed
me the warm shawl and hood which the
dear kind teacher had sent by Tommy
for Christmas. and that Young worthy
coming out 70 catch on for a ride, ex-
planned that Miss Miriam gave him the
warm scarf and mittens he wore.
Tell you what, Mr. Leslie. she's the
goodest teacher we ever had, he said.
Then poor old Mr.. Mason, who was
sending by me for his mail, had 10 show
me the bottle OF cordial for his cough
and also the new book sent by thought
ful Miss Gray
Nettie Walters told me you had vol
unfairly taught her hand painting, and
Allie Hoover praised you for your kind
ness in teaching her some difficult
music"
"That will do, Mr.. Harris Please al
low me 10 inform you that am aware
OF some OF your kindness. Tommy Black
told me at school to-day that Mr.. Har-
ris brought mamma a sack of flour
and whoopin' ham of meat for Christ
mas, and Lille Mason told some OF the
pupils in my hearing that Mr.. Harris
sent papa a new easy chair this morn
ing. Nettie Walters sho we'd me the
supply OF paints you sent her, and Allie
Hoover is wild with delight Mt the ioll
OF new music sent by some thoughtful
friend"
Enough, Miss Miriam, pray desist or
you will make me vain. Those little
acts were only neighborly remembrances
not worth mentioning"
'sNor were mine worth applauding,"
she answered. II have been accustom-
ed 10 give a certain allowance TO the poor
as Christmas gifts. Not possessing that
amount now, have done what l could
after n substantial gift TO my parents"
They were now near the uncle's house
from which lights We're cleaning. and
her uncle was coming from the barn
with foaming pale Of milk. "Come
into supper Mr.. Harris" she said, with
true western hospitality, ''and ] shall be
ready TO start Immediately afterward."
Half an hour later she came down,
and Leslie thought he had never seen a
sweeter picture than she made in her
brown silk dress garnished with soft
ileecy lace. After supper they were
soon en- route for the party Mt Mrs. Tur-
ner's, whose husband had been one of the
cattle kings of the West, and who. three
years before had been killed by Indians
while visiting one of his cattle ranches
in Colorado. Mrs. Turner had resolutely
carried on her hearding by means Of
agents, and was adding yearly TO her
wealth. The party was given in honor
OF her nephew from New York.
II like these western people SO much"
said Miriam, as she sat talking with Mr..
Harris in Mrs. Turner'S cosy parlor. "As
a class, they are superior 10 any ! ever
met, and there is "A genuineness quite re-
frcshing in their sociability. They are
so sclf-reliant, too, evincing a determ-
nation 10 do and be something worthy.
I'm beginning 10 wonder, though, where
that paragon of n nephew is, and the
other girls are as anxious as l TO see
him."
''He and Harry Turner went TO town
to get oysters" answered Leslie. "but
! think they have returned, as / hear
sleigh bells"
A few minutes later Mrs. Turner en-
tered the parlor accompanied by tall
handsome man, and as Miriam gazed at
him she felt herself growing hot and
cold by turns, for she recognized him as
command was soon regained, however,
and she acknowledged the introduction
with perfect composure. Will only
stared in hopeless astonishment, stam-
mering "Miss-Miss Gray is il possible
that YOU are a resident OF Nebraska? No
wonder your friends have searched vain
ly for your hiding place"
II have not been hiding. Mr.. Vance,
neither do / think any of my former
friends (D have been searching for me. /
wrote TO my uncle here that circum-
stances over which | had no control
rendered il necessary for me TO earn my
own living, and he secured for me the
position Of teacher in his district, at the
same time Offering me home with
him."
He WINGED at her words, but persisted
in seating himself beside her, saying:
Miriam, / ann so glad 20 tell you that
my father has returned, and tonight
your father is again in possession of his
wealth. Father drew the money from
the bank TO pay the debt, and on his way
home was oyerpowered, knocked sense
less and robbed OF his money and every
paper by which his identity could be de-
termined. When he recovered conscious
ness he was lying IN a box car at Albany,
the flends having placed him in the
empty car.
Thinking IL best TO not divulge his
identity TO anyone but the police force,
he at once employed detectives, and
while we were all censuring him he was
\< a