New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1890-09-17
A BUNCH OF KEYS.

Church lane, bunch of keys. Whoever will
bring the same to Willow cottage. March
lands. shall receive one pound reward.
The above notice, printed in large
type, was exhibited in several Of the
shops in the High street, in the little
town Of Foreham, and as Nigel
Greenly sauntered through the place
one sunny afternoon, stopping here
and there, now to look at some fish
ing tackle, then to glance at view
Of Marchlands' church displayed in
the stationer's bow window, he
caught sight of the announcement
concerning the bunch Of keys. But
he read it unheedingly: the lost keys
and the reward offered were nothing
to MIN. Still, however, he had taken
into his mind the fact that some one
had dropped a bunch Of keys and
would be very glad to find them.
Marchlands is small, picturesque
village, with as beautiful an old
church as one would desire to find
anywhere; and Nigel Greenly, who
was staying in the neighborhood,
has walked sover from his friends
: house expressly to see Marchlands'
church. Thus 1T: came to pass that
he had sauntered through the quiet
country town of Foreham, and had
read the advertisement which heads
this story. -...-
AS he left Foreham behind him, and
got into the tootpath leading to-
ward the village for which he was
making, he fell into sad reverie, as
he generally did now when he was
alone and his reveric ended, as it
ever did, with a deep drawn sigh.
eli, young sir! The horse 'ull be
upon you if SO be you don't move
cut of the path!'
Nigel started at this warning, and
perceived q bulky cart horse, led by
a countryman, rounding the road
which he was taking. The horse
logged on while Nigel stood still, de-
batting with himself which way to 90,
and as he looked up and down his
eyes lighted on something which glis-
tened on the grassy path, and mo-
ment after he picked up bunch of
keys.
THE keys about which that notice
| read was posted up. How provok-
ing! Now | must take them to the
owner, which may impose a walk on
me and consume the time I meant
for exploring Willow cottage. Iwish
l had not such a knach Of remem
bering an address when once have
heard Or seen it.
Thus thinking he twirled the KEYS
around, eying them with consider
able disfavor, and in so doing he
noticed that one of the many keys
hanging to the seal ring which held
them together was of gold. Sudden
ly his face flushed, and he began to
examine the small gold key.
1t was deliberately chased, and
something or other connected with
it plainly caused him a considerable
amount of agitation.
"Good heavens!'' muttered he, ssto
find it here! Can there be two such
KEYS? No, Nop'
Without hesitating a moment long
er he dashed on through the wood
land before him.
(Which is Willow cottage?" asked
he of the first person he met, and his
voice betrayed his agitation.
tsStraight on till ye gets to the fust
stile, and then go to the left sir.
lis that slate colored house with
the clump O willows behind it,
And who lives there? Do you
know?' continued Nigel.
"a widow lady, sir, o. the name O.
Grey; a quiet sort O body, with two
grown up daughters.
Grey! Then l must be mistaken;
her name was not Grey, murmurcd
the young man when his informant
passed on.
Again. however, he examined the
article he had found, and once more
his agitation returned.
Still, | must be mistaken" re-
peated he to himself
With one more searching glance at
the glittering thing which had awak-
ened by-gone memories he turned
toward the willows, and an instant
later was inquiring ofthe neat parlor
maid who answered his summons ssif
Mrs. Grey was at home"
Yes, sir, will you please walk this
way?'
And he was ushered into a pretty
room, where lady. dressed in slight
mourning, was seated at q writing
table.
One glance convinced him that she
was quite stranger to him as she
rose to greet him.
Permit me to ask lie began court
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