The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-03-14
WHOLE NO. 1924

penses for a week in London; with
economy it will also enable Us to go to a
good doctor and get an opinion about
you. We viii go, Arthur. We will start
tomorrow"
my love-" he answered, looking at
her in his tenderest way, "even if We do
get this money, would it not be best to
save it,"
ave will save it, she answered. ave
will save it by spending it. Don't oP-
pose me, Arthur; my mind is made up"
Two days later the Fields found them
selves in lodgings, rather uncomfortable
ones, in West KensingtOn- They paid a
small price for their rooms, however,
which was vast consideration in their
present circumstances. Power came to
see them, and spoke hopefully Of the
ten pounds.
You may get twenty pounds; but for
heavens sake don't build your hopes on
it" he sail.
"Oh, won't" replied Lucilla; but her
eyes contradicted her works, and Power
found himself obliged to turn away from
their pleading glance
The Fields went to see doctor, great
man. who charged them two guineas,
and gave considerable amount Of ad-
vice. Field was to rest, have complete
change, and as luxurious living as it was
possibleto procure for him.
The next morning early Mr.. and Mrs.
Field prepared to start off to Christie's-
They were leaving the house when Field
suddenly turned faintand sick.
Il cannot 90, Lucy" he said, and he
sank into aehair in the dingy little lodg-
ing-house parlor.
"Oh, no, you must not go" she said,
terror in her face and voice no, we will
go for drive instead"
"A drive r he said, "my dear, you
forget our nearly empty purse"
Il do not forget" she replied, l will
take the risk. This is lovely day; you
shall drive Arthur-we will hire a
carriage and go into the park"
"We ought not to dc it" he said in a
weak, low voice.
The landau turned out success, and
the Fields enjoyed their drive. They
were out for two hours They went into
Hyde PARK, and for short time their
carriage occupied a position in the line
ofrank and fashion. No Woman in that
gay assembly looked prettier than Lu-
ella in her hired carriage, with her
shabby last years bonnet on her head.
Il was very late in the afternoon when
the pair returned to their shabby lOdg-
ings in West Kensington.
Field could not help uttering an ex-
ciamation Of astonishment when he saw
Power standing on the steps Lucills, on
the contrary, felt no smazsment, for one
glance into the little mans face made
her hopes become certainties.
When they got into their sitting room
she turned at once to Power.
"Well," she said, "I know by your
face that you have brought the rwenty
pounds"
"Not exactly" he replied.
Field turned pale when Power said
this. The horrible thought that he had
scarcely money enough in his bank to
pay for Lucilla's unwonted extravagauces
came to his mind.
Mrs. Field, however, whose eyes were
fixed on Power, had no such qualms at
her heart.
Il know yon have good news" she
said, in her brightest voice. Perhaps
the ugly things are really valuable
perhaps they fetched more than twenty
pounds sterling
They have" replied Power.
He put his hand into his pocket, took
out book, from which he extracted an
envelope and handed it to Mrs. Field.
Powers eyes looked so full OF meaning
when he said these words, and his voice
had such ring Of assured delight in It
that Mrs Field found herself suddenly
turning faint and almost sick She went
70 her husband and gave him the en-
velope.
open it" she said in husky whisper
Il can't I'm afraid"
He obeyed her at once. The envelope
contained draft on the Bank of England,
payable to Lucilla Field for ten thousand
pounds sterling.
Good heavens, Lucy Lncy, you are
dying ~ cried her husband. What is it,
what is the matter, my dear?''
He scarcely took in the contents of the
note; his eyes we're fixed on his wife's
face, for she had read the amount Of the
check payable to herself, and the joy had
made her faint away.
II wish you had been there, said Pow
er a few hours later; the-e was quite a
furor over the vases.
Their history had been ascertained and
their pedigee established Lehman, the
great Jewish china maniac, was present
1t did not take him long to prove that
your aunt's dragon vases, Mrs. Field,
were once the highly priced treasures Of
the royal house ofSism.
The vases were perfect, without any
chip or blenish of any SORT, and were
the only specimens known to be in ex-
istenee of that particular china.
povar told this marvellous biSforv IN
the husband and wife late that evening.
When Power stopped speaking Lucilla
turned slowly away and looked at Arthur
Field.
! 81 always said those vases were very
quaint be remarked. I'VE shall miss
them out Of the drawing roOm."