The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-10-13

ITS REAL TRUE GOLD"
ing that inspired confidence. At all events.
she unfolded her guileless heart. and in
the course of half an hour had told him at
least as much OF her history as the pa
tent reader has learned in all these pain
full days. Nellie, after studying the young
man with the silent profundity of child
hood for ten or fifteen minutes had also
decided to like him. and had presented him
with a bunch OF gorgeous sugar-maple
leaves.
I'm not sleptic. nor an infdel, Miss
Bllop,' said Mr.. Morford. II like TO see
the bottom of things if I can: and there
are miracles enough without needing
10 have solid money fall out of the sky.
Have you searched the garnet and -"
Searched? Well. Jest you ask Nellie.
IF there's square foot o. space inside
this house outside of Ii that she amt
poked that little nose OF hers into, don't
know! An there amt no trace of nothin'.
nor nobody. not nowheres. An then as for
the music an the voice. don't know how
you'd get around them
cts what 7 hear in the village true-that
Matthew Billop disappeared mysteriousy?
that his manner of death was never
known"
YES. but he's dead, poor Matt. guess
said Nancy, with a sigh: "ef he warn't.
I'd heard from him before this: an then
that he'd head foul play fron1-well, from
any one. I'd a heard OF it too. from his
sperrt. eff no ways else. I was thinkin'
last night. after he'd sent that money.
that eff he'd been murdered, he'd a said
so then. But all he said was, Pay Cor
VIM he SAYS. an I'll he at peace so I
guess he died natral. An though Matt
was a real good brother to me, an I
allays loved him right hearty vet don't
mourn after him like l would eff he hadn't
been man past his prime as had lived
an had his fling, an don't doubt is hap
pier now than Of he were here with us
But it's different bout Tom: I never can
get used to losin' that dear precious boy
He was the cutest. smartest best boy ever
did live. an I couldn't have loved him more
not eff he'd been my An
I amt never felt the same woman
sence lost him; an it may be
wickedness. but do say I amt
never been able to forgive Mr.. Cor
win for the part he took in runnin' Tom
to his death. In course he didn't mean II;
but still Mr.. Corvin might a sold
me up an 7 don't bear him no gr1dge
bout not payin' the money he owed Matt
cause the paper that showed the debt was
lost with Matt. and men O. business nat
rally don't pay more'n they have 10: but
when 7 think of my darlin Tom drowned
jest because they found money In HIS
pockets that he'd never in this earth put
H.
7 don't know what you'll think of an old
woman like me 10 be erwin bout It after
these nine years: but love my Tom lest
the same as Of I'd seen him Yesterday"
Then You feel quite sure the boy never
stole the money! said Mr. Morford. after
a pause, in a gentle tone.
THAT hoy steal? It'll be the happiest
day OF my life. Mr.. Morford. whom I meet
him In heaven. and hear all the angels
standin' roun' there say: You was right.
Nancy: there amt none innocenter than
him here"'
1T ought TO make him happy to hear
YOU say that, wherever he is said Mr.
Morford. getting up and walking to tho
window. "Gt would be a good thing IL You
could ind the / O. L. for the money your
brother lent Corvin, wouldn't it," he
added presently. turning around.
We'll. I n thankful enough to te able 10
pay him. without HIS paying me: and land
sakes"' she observed. with a laugh, -
guess 1t nd 50 agin' the poor mans erain
70 have 20 do it
"TFeH be here in few minutes" geid
Norford Il Just saw him turn in at the
foot OF the hin. Now. look ere, Miss BIZ
lcp; II were You, when you pay him the
money wouldn't toll him anything about
how II came to YOU just let him guess all
he wants TO- It's none Of his business.
and maybe the spirit Of your brother NAV
have some othe~ surprises N store fer him
that would be interfered with IL YOU were
&c say anything now. While you're doing
your AFFAIR with him. I'd like Nellie 20
show me round the place a bit. outside.
VIII you do II. Nellie7 ! saw folly cave
underneath there as l came up; I'd Ike 10
explore H."
Come" said Nellie with an air Of ora
cious proprietorship. TN show you: :" and
they went out at the rear door. hand in
hand. Just Mr.. Corvin. all unsuspicious
Of the establishment awaiting him, was
admitted AZ the front
We'll. Nellie. I suppose you don't re-
member much about Tom" said her COM
panion
NO: but remember liked him" said
Nellie and nanny has told me lots OF
things about him. He used 10 play robber
in the cave. and monkey in the big trees.
He knew some way 20 get up the trees
with a rope. ! have never been up
But you've played in the cave. I sup
poss?"
Yes a little: but don't Ike II much
because It's dark and smells danny. II ia
had Tom. maybe wouldn't have minded
so much"
Are you afraid OF ghosts Nenie7"
Not when they really come. as they did
last night. I'm a little afraid, sometimes
when nanny tells stories about EN- he
fore we go 70 bed. But really. thing
ghosts are fairies, don't you?
Il should think likely. So this is the
robber cave2 Let's 20 in. have way
matches 50 Il won't be dark"
The cave. as a mere natural phenou-
en0u. was certainly not very interesting
II was much. IN need OF a boyisn iroazfna
ton TO iivsn - up. IL was too low 10 al
low Of Mr. Morfords walking upright in
-. and the floor was Uttered with ancient
rubbish and with the decayed remains Of
paloeozojc cart. after creeping iuwarsls
Tor ten CT twelve PAGES they turned a cor