The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-05-24


himself a great artist, and this pic
t1re masterpiece. But after vaInly
trying to sell II he gave it to Tom.
1t was a dreadful job to get it up,
and you see it takes all the space on
that side of the room. How we are
to get it down is arnystery."
do you value it2"
"NO! | scarcely knew Fred, who
died ten years ago, and the picture is
frightfuI."
"H'mI-I think I see light ~
said Bert, musingly. "Weli. dear.
as there is nothing to be gained by,
sI1ytna heres now. soon svihasxou ~
ready to go to Scrantonyille with
me?"
IL will begin to pack to-day"
1t proved to be tedious job to
gather all the household goods into
travelling compass, to start off box
after box, to take leave of neighborS,
and make preparations for the long
journey ard new home. Bat Jessie
fOund comfort in constant work, and
the next week most o. her packing
Was fnlshed.
Bet the day before that appointed
for their start, Bert sent to fer Mr..
PaXOn, to make one more appeal to
his honesty. There was long,
rather stormy interview in the dis
mantled library, where only the
huge painting and two chairs had
been left. Bert had left the room,
under some pretense of questioning
mis- sister, and Mr.. Paxon was peep
ing in "A Paul Pry way that Jessie
had tod her brother was habitual
with him, when he made a discovery.
There was an ugly space in a recess
where ToM ThUrle's stationery desk
had stood fer ten long years against
the wall. Scraps of paper and string
torn envelopes, all the debris OF pack.
ing, were scattered about, but wedgpd
into the ip of the mop board WAS an
envelope, almost concealed, that Mr..
PdXOn was sure contained an inclos-
ure. Warily he creot up to it, seized
it and found it sealed envelope,
directed
ITO .IpS-ia. nav wife. TO he anefse ed
tsnty after my ae',t n. Il. .....
He cramned it hastily into his
pocket, and when Bert returned took
his departure. rmething important
must be in that paper, that had
evidently slipped out OF the desk
when it was moved aud escaped OBJ
servatOn. But the disclosure was
startling one. Without any scru-
pie 0i honor or honesty, Mr.. PaXon
broke the seal and read:
"DEAit JESSIE ii ha- been long
l,u0ru ~ .Eati. ,t"#r, that any lite was
Il lGpr,riuu~ Que, AID you NIit Hul b"
-u"pris"j !}.al nav" GIade a iitt!y
pfUyi-inn iJr AuU and tHe children,
Pnul Fvt'b !tt' 10; ten thousand dol
iar~ iu U3trG S;9t-s bonds, and, an
Wilin. T. trust il to any bank,
have hidden II away an the tower
right hand cOruer of the picture ire
gaye me. The interest will run on
until you take the envelope fro.u the
hiding place, as no ore will ever
m0ye the picture. Forgive me for
keeping this one secret from you.
Tom"
No one else! Why. they might
tear it down at any moment. A cold
sweat brok out all Ovel the rascal's
body. All his boarded wealth, the
result Of scheming, cheating, saving,
was as nothing compared with this
newly discovered treasure. Nobody
else must find those bonds!
But when he returned to the house
he found everything in hurried con-
fasion, and Bert issuing hurried or
ders.
II can't talk to you. now" he said
as Mr.. Paxon came up. II am oblig-
ed to leave on the 73O train from
b, and it is nearly twelve O'clock
now. There is still wagon load to
go, and the children and Jessie are
getting dressed for the carriage at
three O'clock"
"But must speak to you"
"And that picture has to be pack
ed, too" cried Bert, bustling into
the house. "Here. some of you fel-
lows bring step ladder !"
"No, no !" cried Mr.. Paxton. CT
l came oyer to see if l couldn't buy
that picture."
BUY 4" Bert cried. "Yoi might
as well ask Jessie to sell one of her
boys Why, her dear brother.in law
painted it
"But it looks so we'll where it is,
and will be SO awkward to novel"
cried Mr.. Paxon, watching with hor.
ror Bert's preparations to tear the
painting from the wall. II will give
you a good price !"
"How much? But am sure Jessie
..,:Il ,,o.,o. ,1a ~ with ~ ~