The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1895-12-13
THE GOLD CROSS.
"Hello! What's this?"

waistcoat pocket without further thought,
for he was busy man, the editor of a
great daily paper.
He had studiously avoided the other resi-
dents of the house, and perhaps it was for
that reason that he scorned the elevator
preferring to bound up the marble stairs
to his cozy rooms on the third floor. This
habit greatly amused his young brother
Elliott, who shared his home and any 9th
er comforts that the gods of John provided
Elliott was lazy, happy go lucky artist,
whose profession had not as yet brought
him an income.
When John entered the pretty sitting
room that evening, he found his brother
putting the finishing touches to what he
was pleased to call an "ideal head
John walked to the easel and glanced
carelessly at the sketch, rather bored to be
forced to spend time on one of Elliott S
many daubs. But for once his attention
was arrested. Something in the light
brown eyes appealed to him, and as he
studied the face it seemed more and more
to beseech his friendliness at least.
"Elliott, you rascal you have stolen
thisl By Jove, it's the best you have
done!"
"Thank you, Jack, and to tell you the
truth, it's a face I've seen and dreamed
about, but painted entirely from memory"
"Where did you see her? If you have
really portrayed some living girl, she must
be indeed beautyp'
Elliott seemed well pleased that an an
swer was not expected.
The next morning when John put his
hand in his pocket for his car fare he ran
against something unusual, and pulling it
out recognized the little golden cross. He
looked at it carefully and saw the inscrip-
ton 'Muriel" upon it.
When he raised his head, he blushed to
see the light brown eyes of Elliott's sketch
watching him demurely, even appealingly,
it seemed to him. Yes, it must be she, the
same brow, the waving hair, the dainty
lips, and, best of all, the wonderful eyes!
Now, John Ainsworth had reached the
sober age of 80, and if any one had told
him that a pair of hazel eyes would set his
heart to beating like a steam pump or
cause a crimson hue to suffuse his manly
face he would have secuted at the idea
But that was just what was going on this
very morning, and as the sensation was
so new and so alarming the only idea that
came to him was flight.
So he made his way to the door of the
Car and dropped off, only to regret it, as
he had voluntarily given up the only
chance of finding out who she was or
where she was going.
Following his first impulse, he started
at lively pace to pursue the car, but
stopped short when he heard familiar
voice calling:
"Hold on there, Jack, old man! What S
the rush? Is there fire. or are you after
a SCOOP
"Well, you here? I managed to get off
at the wrong corner and thought to regain
the car.
"Your supper last night must have been
too much for you, though l should have
supposed you would have slept off the eff
fects Let us walk on down town. I'd
like to take you in to see some water colors
at Browns"
Speaking about water colors, what are
you going to do with that head? You
won't sell it, will your"
"Will 1? Won't l. if can find any
patron of art who appreciates it to the
tune of 500 or sof This art for arts sake
is all very poetical, but the time is COM
ing, my boy when I must earn my living
You know, I can't always expect to live
on your bounty, Jack. You may be wish
W IudEEy SOllo udy yOufSSl.
81 don't know about that. We are all
liable to succumb, but don't send that
head to Browns anyway. 1 want it, and
if I take it you can show it at the spring
exhibition and perhaps gain glory if not
wealth"
The mind of John Ainsworth was full
of but one subject all that week, and
street car riding became steady habit,
i, To- Ill -
the hazel eyes. But fortune did not seem
to favor him.
One morning he remembered the golden
cross and bethought himself that some
effort should be made to find its rightful
owner. Suiting the action to the word, he
wrote description of it and inserted it in
the advertisement column of the paper.
The following day brought an answer,
stating that the owner would be very
grateful if the finder would return the
cross to her home, giving the very apart
ment house where John lived.
That evening John called at 25 and
asked for Miss Muriel Marigold, but when
she did glide softly into the room she Gid
ed also into his heart, for who should it be
but the possessor of the hazel eyes!
"Thank you so much, Mr.. Ainsworth,
lily IIUUI6 CEOSS. LII Is dill Olu
keepsake and was given to me when was
a child. 1 regretted its loss exceedingly,
but when saw you had it," she added
mischievously, 81 knew it was safe. Let
me thank you again warmly 1 hope now
that we have met we may be friends Your
brother and I often meet in the elevator,
and though we only nod and smile feel
that we are old acquaintance.
Two months later at the spring exhibit
ton of water colors three people stood be-
fore painting which was catalogued as
an "Ideal Head
cit is very Hke-yes, very like" said
the elder of the two young men. "There
is only one thing lacking-the golden
cross, for that, you know, is what brought
me my sweet
"Hush, John, DEAR whispered the girl
who looked SO like the picture. Chicago
News.
The Causes of Vagabondage.
The principal causes or sources of vaga-