Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-06-07

nected with his master affairs; he even knew
the meaning of that key which has been SC
long mystery to us. I"
"Why, Marian"
''That is not all. The news that reached us
i'm my dream-was that the key opened q
secret strong room. The Indian was con.
science-stricken; and on his deathbed i'm
plored some one to come and tell us all
hbout it And" added Marian, ''some one
came-some one who took the lantern and
| the key and went in search of the strong
room; for in this secret place, as dfeamt,
there are bags and bags of gold"
The merchant was now looking keenly
into his daughters face. Marian did not
return his glance, but she placed her hand
persuasively on his arm, for he had half
risen from his chair "The only way, father,
to reach this strong room, continued Marian
-"the only way that the, Indian knew of
was by moving panel in the wall. And
the person to whom he confded this secret
Ia person related to Mr.. Girdlestone-
followed his instructions and found"
found what?"
Marian could no longer keep her father
from starting out of the chair. he had
guessed the meaning of her words.
He was beginning to comprehend
that, heedful of his anxiety, she
news of some good fortune which had be-
fallen them, and in such a manner that it
might not come upon him too suddenly.
She stood looking attentively at his anxious
face as he walked up and down the room.
He seemed to be mastering the sudden
emotion which the dawning knowledge of
brighter days had awakened. Presently
Marian put her hands gently upon his
shoulders and looked up into his face. 'It
is no dream, father. 1t is true. The per-
son to whom Mr.. Girdlestone's servant con-
fided all this is Mr.. Wescott But it was
his wish, before raising your expectations,
to make sure that the mans story was well
founded 1t is well founded; and Mr..
Westcott is waiting to tell you all the de-
tails himself
Marian induced her father to re-
sumo his place by the hearth. He
to his forehead, stared vacantly at the
fire. But suddenly he looked up. A quick
step had caught his ear. Westcott stood
before him with the lantern in one hand and
an old-looking bag. in the other
''Mr. Carter" were his first words, "make
your mind easy. The house of Girdlestone
& Co. is saved. This bag must contain at
least ], 900 guineas, and there are more than
80 like It in the strongroom. Is not this
convincing?" 1t was yellow and rotten
from age, and the action of raising it burst
open the sides, and the floor was imme-
diately covered, with gold. The guineas
clinked and spun about in all direc-
tions; and some of them rolling
toward the hearth, settled down at Mr.. Car
ter's feet.
Neither John westcott nor Marian's
father thought of seeking any rest that
night. They were too deeply occupied with
a minute examination of the cellars under
the old house in Fishers Folly, and bags OF
gold that Mr.. Girdlestone's relative had dis
covered there. No place could have better
served a hoarder's purpose, for it was a
secret strong room that had been built GEN.
turies ago in which to store treasure in the
time of civil war or serious rioting in the
city of London.
1t would have done Mr.. Girdlestone's
heart good, let us hope, had he wit
messed the prosperous turn which |
Mr.. Carter's instruction-for Marians |
father was in reality an excellent man of |
business-John Westcott becam. in time as
great fnancier as his uncle had been be- !
fore him. And when he was urged to ac-
cept a partnership in the house, a year or
two after the memorable date of his return |
to England, he could not refuse for he and |
Marian had in the meantime learned to love
each other. Besides, the will which he
found had named him his uncles heir. And |
SO, after their marriage, Mr.. Girdlestone's
house was for many years their chosen
home.
This old mansion In Fishers Fslly, still
standing in these modern times, is unten-
nnted. 1t has lonely and dilapidated sp-
pearance. The windows including the
great central window, within which the
Golden Lamp oncs-stood- begrimed !
WITH dust ana -smoke; and the steps below
are as green as Anticipated tombstones A
great paddock and chain are affixed to the |
front door; for the lease had run out at last,
and this Landmark in the history of London
will soon be demolished and forgotten.-
Thomas Sts. HarS, in Chambers JownaL