The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-12-13

sharply, as he closed the outer door.
what are you doing here2''
Il thought I heard q nOise,' an
swered the child.
$50 did I, aud went to see what
caused it. 1t was nothing. Go to
bed again, and will make you a kite,
a marvellous kite, which you may fly
tomorrow"
''Oh, will you. grandfather jolly
Now I'll go at once" cried the de-
lighted boy
A smile curved Bernard's lips as he
gathered together the material for
the kite 1t took several hours to
complete it, but when finished it was,
indeed, thing Of beauty It was
full four feet in height, and there
we're many colored papers used in
its construction; a fringe adorned
the outer edge. But the tail was the
most wonderful of all A long string
formed the foundation, and upon it
were taste ned pieces of cloth of grad
uating lengths, the longest being a
the top and tapering down to a mere
shred at the end Each was twisted
IN the center, the ends being allowed
to fly, but 50 closely were they put on
the string that scarcely any part Of
it was visible
Little Pierre rose early the next
morning His Impotence was so
great that he could scarcely contain
himself until his grandfather should
give him the kite; but he dare not ex-
press his wish. as Bernard seemed ex-
cited and nervous, an unusual thing
with him. The boy wondered why
he stood at the door SO long, gazing
anxiously about, returning to his
To mr.
a few minutes later. At last he
turned to the expectant child:
Come he said. you shall fly the
kite
"Oh, is it not beautiful Pierre
cried, clasping his hands in admira-
ton when the wonderful thing was
held up for his inspection
He was wild to touch it, but Ber-
nard would not permit him to do so,
and bade him hold the cord while he
held the kite a1oft himself. Soon it
foated upward, the tail resem bling a
flock of birds as it Strengthened in
the breeze.
You are Pierre Bernard, believe"
said some one.
As Bernard moved quickly he came
face to face with two men.
That is my NAME" he answered.
What is your business with me?"
One Of the detectives, for such they
were. eyed him sharply as he said:
I'VE have orders to search your
house. Bernard ="
For what?''
1--WE are looking for a necklace
which was stolen from Mrs. Benton
''And do you suppose I have it?"
demanded Pierre, with a great show
of anger.
How dare you accuse me of steal
ing? But go-search the house-and
if you find it,
He finished with harsh laugh.
1.-The old fellow takes it coolly,"
said one of the men. But come-let
US get the business over with " And
they went to work.
Meanwhile Bernard was apparently
absorbed in the kite and laughed
loudly as it rose higher and higher,
the long tail curving and twltch-
ing like snake. Presently it be-
gan to descend, and a shade of ex-
element was visible in his face. while
little Pierre cried out in Gismay:
"Oh, grandfather, it is coming down
and viii get caught in those
trees
1--WE will prevent that" said
Bernard, with furtlve glance toward
the house; and he loosened the cord.
But the kite steadily descended. Tt
lowered over tree for a few seconds
then fell, the tail becoming entangled
in the branches Bernard gave the
cord a sharp pull. and the kite drop
ped at his feet Little Pierre ran and
picked it up.
s'The tail is broken, grandfather,
he exclaimed. ''Oh, why did you
hide these pretty beads9 See
He spoke no further, for Bernard,
with an oath, sprang forward and
snatched the kite from his hand. At
the same instant one of the detec-
tives, who had approached unnoticed,
tore It from him.
''Ahl We were not mistaken. after
all he said. holding up the tail for
his companions inspection Beneath
each of the twisted rags was a small
cluster of pearls
Saved by an Awning.
IN