Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1895-12-25

Graves, but the barroom was too public for his
"peesness.' The purchaser, however, refused to
retire The merchant therefore slipped the watch
into his hand Charley Graves glance at it fairly
staggered him. He opened the and read an
inscription, when he too tried to conceal the shin
ing little treasure.
six ounces OF gold'' whispered the merchant
Go to the safe and weigh it OUT said Graves
Shiminy! vot pig sack said the merchant
as the clerk passed out the smallest of four buck
skin wallets that were tagged with the miners
name. II make 1t nine ounces. He never know.
The merchant hurried away to the darkest cor
ner OF his little store to goat over the gold he had
gained by what he called shrewd "peesness'
operation.
Charley Graves climbed up to his room half
forgetting his serious wound Inside, he scanned
again, first the inlaid of the watch, the jewel
settings and then the inscription inside the lid.
He then opened the back and looked hard for
something there. He picked up prospector's
magnifying glass and looked again, and then read,
From Arthur in hoarse voice he would
have read a warning of death He sat upon the
bed as one in trance.
The merchant was summoned from his dark re-
treat and from his meditations by brightfaced
young woman in workday clothes He staggered
and hestated as he came forward, rubbing his
blinking black eyes.
II have come for my watch and here is the gold.
1t is good weight with interest, and you have my
thanks, and she dropped heavy purse upon the
counter.
your, your votcho" sta,nmered the tradesman.
II sold i'd keeps id too long. Id vos my votch.
Take de money and CO.
II will not take it. l must have the watch,
she said, and she hurled the heavy bag of gold
upon the floor and ran crying away.
The man stalked heavily up and down the room.
The peoples will know he said. Il must fix
id. l must see Shar]ey and get dot votch back
again. Dot hundred dollar poorly goot.
make tree ounce on Sharley. weigh back six
ounce; got nine ounce Dat vas all the same to
me-"
A loud rap aroused Charley Graves from his
reverie and he opened the door to find the trades
standing there with package OF gold dust
extended upon his open hand He said
Take dis back and give the votch. l make
a meestake. don't want to sell dot votch."
'No mortal man have that watch! Is it
worth more money? If so fix the price," said
Graves, and his voice rang with passion
II will see" said the merchant and he retired to
seek the little lady and make terms with her if
possible. AS he turned in the corridor he met her,
accompanied by the landlord.
Say noting about dot votch.' said the mer-
chant aside to the lady IN whisper. II fix dot.
How much you want for id?'
II cannot sell it" she cried. ut is all l have
left 1t is dearer TO ME than life
The desparing words reached the ear of Charley
Graves. He swung wide-open the room door hold
ing the watch in his hand. The lady stared one
instant at the watch and sprang forward snatching
it away. She retreated to angle in the corridor
and stood like tiger at bay pressing the jewel to
her bosom.
Floral
'Arthur!'
You deserted ME, )" said she.
You hated Inc" was the reply
"Your innocence the lady continued twas es-
tabished within week from the day hurled this
watch in your face because 1 thought it was pur-
chased with stolen money. The president of the
bank admitted the wrong, and my father forgave
you and sought you from ocean to ocean that he
might undo the injury done you in his passion.
Arthur Jones had been Charley Graves for ten
years