Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-05-05
: circular cloak, hurried, with JOYOUS

ton. thereby causing him 20 drop the
paI.t .Ie lad been Tesusing upside
down, and, ES;th it. his dignifed reserve
/ to such an extent that he exclaimed:
Gracious goodness. for which he at
once apologized, rs his trembling
fingers applied the little key to tho
kep-hole; while Tad, with his politest
bow, presented astonished Mrs. Mason
with hor recovered jewelry and the
fur-lined circular.
"Ane dress was all mud. and Striddled
from top to bottom, or I'd brought
that, too," he added. as Mrs. Mason,
with an exclamation of delight, re-
ceived her recovered property; while
her husband gazcd ut smiling Tad in q
dazed sort of way, and whistled softly
to himself, as one whose feelings were
too deep for adequate expression.
Tad, you're "a jewell" said Miss
Smith, energetically; and very much
to Tad's astonishment, but to his secret
qualification, the maiden lady i'm
printed sounding kiss upon his blush
ing cheek, while Captain Flagg shook
hands with him vigorously, with a
muttered reference to chainin' up n
child in the way ho'd ought to go,
SOS when he's old he won't go to
strayin' of. Polly said nothing in
words, but rejoicing sparkled in her
eyes, and praise was apparent in her
beaming smiles. With the list in one
hand Mr. Atherton was rapidly run
ming over the contents of the alligator
skin sachel.
Gold star pendant, solitaire drops,
diamond ring, bracelet and papers
um-yes, every thing seems to be here, :"
he said, with look of intense salts
faction, as, dropping the list into the
mouth of the bag, which he carefully
relocked, the dignifed gentleman re-
garded the company with something
like affability.
"Regarding the matter of-er-re-
ward" continued Mr.. Atherton, draw
ing bulky note-case from his pocket,
and glancing benignantly at Tad, who
stood in awkward silence, while all
present looked ON expectantly, Il feel
pleased to be able to bestow it upon so
-a-worthy a-er-youth as the one
to whom it rightly belongs" selecting
as he spoke some crisp bank-notes from
their receptacle, and placing them on
the light stand; "and," with gracious
inclination of his head to Miss Smith,
Il may venture to prophesy that, if he
heeds the teachings of the estimable
lady whose acquaintance | have been
fortunate enough to make in this unex-
pected manner, he will eventually rise
to-er-a position of-of-it may be
Presidential honor-who knows?"
And satisfied that he had said about
the correct thing, Mr. Atherton
gathered up his belongings, and, re-
cognizing the remainder of the inter-
ested party by comprehensive bow,
took his departure for the hotel with
great inward exultation; and as he left
ear ON the following morning, he
thus passes out of my story.
CHAPTER XVI.
The Flaggs, in high state of pleas
urable excitement-all talking very
fast-united in congratulating Tad so
warmly on his good fortune that
it was some little time before
they left Miss Smiths house for
their own home. Then Mr.. Mason
and his wife must perforce hear the
strange adventures of the alligator
skin sachel, from the very beginning,
and receive from his lips true and
unembellished account of the pursuit
and capture of the willy Edwards,
from whom had been so successfully
recovered the fur-lined cloak, which
had played its part in the story, to all
of which they listened with express
sions of unfeigned interest and wonder.
ut did me good turn once" con-
cluded Tad, in reference to the article
in question; "now I've done IL one."
And he steadfastly refused to listen to
the gentleman's proffer of a money re-
ward, to Miss Smiths secret satisfac-
ton, till Mr.. Mason, with a great show
Of affected indignation, tossed q bill on
the table, beside the others, and told
Tad to take it and give it to foreign
missions or to the soldiers monument
fund-he didn't care which, or, if he
thought better of it, he might put it in
the savings-bank.-As for himself the
money might lie there forever he
wouldn't touch it again. And, sum-
moning Mrs. Mason, who, in her graf
itude gave Tad hearty goodnight
kiss, her husband went to his room,
and banged the door behind him very
hard, as though he were angry.
"Well, Tad" said Miss Smith, put
ting on her glasses and glancing at the
pile of bills on the table, this has
been one of the days, hasn't itP Five
hundred and-fifty dollarsr she ey-
claimed, taking up the bill left by Mr
Mason. "Well. wellr'
"It's too much, every way" returned
Tad, who hardly knew whether he was
on his head or his heels.
"Tain't too much" snapped Miss
Smith. THAT Atherton man, who
ac's as though his spine was froze stiff,
orter give you an even thousand his
self. Look at them i'munds-siyty-
five hundred dollars with and yHu
riskin' your life to capter' 'em back
from that bloodthirsty bu'glarr'
II wish. then. Uou'd take the money.
md put it somewheres in the bank
where yours is" finally said Tad, ,
who already was beginning to realize!
what the French call "the embarrass-i
ment of riches"
"May be that would be best" re-
turned Miss Smith, thoughtfully; ''but /
must give you some sort of writing
10 show for it, in case any thing hap
pens TO me-"
ooh, dear!" sighed Tad, "what
should do if any thing did happen to
you, I'd never find anybody else in the
whole world / should like to work for
as l do for YOU" Miss Smith was
strangely moved by this simple appeal,
but she had, as she expressed it, "brokc
down." once that evening, and didn't
propose to again. So she made no re-
ply, but busted herself in getting out
writing materials; rather to Tad's dis
appointment, for he had almost dared
to hope for some little manifestation
of the tenderness that he knew lay
under Miss Smiths crusty exterior
I. Al