The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-09-26


you could find the |, o. U. for the money
your brother lent Corvin. wouldn't it"
he added. presently. turning round.
well. I'm thankful enough to he able
to pay him. without his paying me: and
In nd sakes" she observed with a laugh.
II guess il 'ud go agin' the poor man $
grain TO have to do it,
''Hell be here I'm q few minutes" !"
said MIR. Morford. II just saw him turn
in at the foot OF the hill. Now, look
here, Mss Billop: If l We're you. when
you pay him the money. ! wouldn't tell
him anything about how it came to
YOU; just let him guess all he wants to.
is none of his business and may he
the siirit of your brother may have
some other surprises In store for him.
that would be interfered with II you
We're to say anything EDw. While you're
doing your affair with him. I'd like Mel
lie 10 show me round the place bit.
outside. VIII you 90 it. Nellie? l saw
Il jolly cave underneath there as came
up: I'd like To explore it,"
Come" said Nellie, with an air of
gracious proprietorship I'm show
YOU. ard they went out at the rear
door. hand in hand. just as Mr.. Corvin,
all unsusricious of astonishment await
ing him. was admitted al. ,he front.
We'll. Nellie. | suppose You don't re-
member much about Tom" said her
companion.
No: but l remember | liked him."
said Nellie: "and nanny has told me
lots of things about him. He used to
play rCbber in the cave and monkey
in the big tress, He knew some way to
get up the trees with rope. l have
never been up
But you've played in the cave, sup
pose?"
Yes, a little; but | don't like it much.
because its dark. and smells danny.
If I'd had Tom, may be l wouldn't have
minded so much.'
Are you afraid of ghosts, Nellie"
Not when they really come, as they
did last night. l am a little afraid,
sometimes, when nanny tells stories
about 'em before we go to bed. But
really l think ghosts are fairies. don't
you?"
Il should think likely. So this is the
robber cave? Let's go in | have wax
matches, SO II won't be dark"
The cave, as a mere natural phenom-
enon, was certainly not very interest
ing. 1t was much in need of boyish
ina gination to liven ii up. 1t was too
low to allow of MIR. Morford's walkin
upright in 1t; and the floor was Uttered
with ancient rubbish. and with the de-
cayed remains OF a paloeozoic cart.
After creeping ipwards for ten or twelve
PAGES. they turned a corner, and Nellie
showed signs of reluctance. The little
wax taper. burning i'm its socket in the
silver matchbox, showed what looked
like queer. irregular pillars and rafters:
they We're really struggling roots of the
big butternut tree overhead. At the
end of the passage, they found some
half rotten planks fixed upright like a
rude door; Morford pulled at one Of
them, and 1t came away, revealing
n further narrow cavity beyond. Nell
lie shrank back.
What is there in there?" asked Nor
Il don't know; it isn't nice; let's go
back"
"A pCtato-cellar. perhaps. Yes. we'll
go back. The sunshine Is pleasanter,
isn't 1t. DO you suppose Tom ever ex-
p!ored that place when he played rob-
ber?"
He must have been brave II he did!
I like to be where its all alive and
bright" She sighed with relief when
they stood once more in the broad Oc-
tober daylight They strolled round
the corner of the house, and looked up
at the mighty, over-spreading boughs
of the butternut.
''It reminds me of when / used to be a
boy" remarked the young man. II
was very fond Of nuts in those days.
That old tree seems to be full of them
wouldn't it be fun to get up there and
pick some! Have you ever been up?"
Nellie shook her head. "There's no
rope; besides, | don't climb ropes: I'm
girl
But here's a good ladder" rejoined
her companion. pointing to one that lay
under the end Of the house hard by.
why, so there is! ] never saw it be-
forer'
THE fairies must have brought it
especially for US. Let's see II it will
do" He lifted. and sat it against the
great bole Of the tree. 1t just reached
the fork of the lower branches. ut
couldn't be better"' exclaimed the
young man, enthusiastically. Now,
Miss Nellie, will you walk upstairs?"
Nellie hesitated: but there Is a great
deal more of the bird and the squirrel
In a little girl than of the mole; they
move heavenward more readily than
the other way. Under MOrford's guild
ance and protection, his hands holding