The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-12-28
The Family Gold Piece.
(From the New York Evening Post. Ir
Four Parts)
PART W.

Il
| whom Jack was ushering in, a tall gentle
man, much excited
ST beg your pardon" he said abruptly.
| rs there a young lady hereg'
\ "A young lady?' repeated Lenore-
"Yes," said the visitor. Something very
| unpleasant has happened to me. / have
been robbed in broad daylight and in the
1 most extraordinary way. / lost some Sec
onds in following the thief, but, / tracked
| her TO this house, and have inquired in
| every apartment but this, and 1 am GER
| tain that she is here. 1 am stranger IN
| the city, and expected to leave tomorrow
morning, but I VIII not submit to being
robbed with impunity."
"You are sure that it was a young iady?'
| murmured Lenore again, trying to think
| what she should say next.
eyes, tall, beautiful girl, with magnifi-
| cent eyes" The door of the adjoining room
gave a sudden creak, and Lenore could
divine Alices surprised start. ''She had
the most touching expression; it complete
| ly deceived me, and under a pretence she
snatched so from me and ran off. She
may have been in need; she was shabbily
clothe6"-both women thought instantly of
the faded green gown. Il would have
gwen her what was necessary, but the rob-
berry was so barefacedi 1 am, however,
willing not to have her arrested If she will
refund the money; the coin was one which
1 especially pri-=. / have kept it for a
sort of luck-penny. 1 would pay its full
value to have j again. Madam, wera you
not in the car from which she followed
me? She is here, and 1 must and viii see
her,
us this your money!" asked Lenore.
She held out the gold-piece to him. 'I can
- ,,,fe+ +ol-a Nv
friend thought it to be mine" She spoke
with dignity. "You must believe me, and
CO.
He scanned the coin, then took up his
hat, uncertainty.
"Of course, if you say SOL should like
to leave a reward"
"No, no; only CO."
"Well, them He shrugged his should
ers and turned to leave. Lenore's heart
gave throb Of relief as she heard her
husbands footsteps approach; the stranger
stopped short as he entered.
"Why, Ferguson
"TelfordI'
'I have been looking all over the city
for YOU"
Il heard that you had gone back to
Montana
The two men shook hands as if they
should never stop.
Nobody seemed to know where you were
and my time was very limited. Herkimer
lost your address, and your old firm is
no longer in existence. 1 looked up your
number N the directory only to find that
the house had been pulled down. 1 was
going on to Rochester tomorrow to gel
Nevins in your place.
'T only knew yesterday that you had
haa in, oh orlr God
that have found you now. You know my
wife, TelfoTd?"
"A Ettle," the stranger bowed and smiled.
The two men talked in low tones for
few minutes, and then they both went out.
John came back to kiss his wife hastily,
and tel, her not to wait dinner for him.
What, must you go on Christmas Eve?"
she said.
Her eyes were moist. She felt shaken and
bewildered.
AS they departed, the prisoners burst
from their hiding-place.
"Oh, oh, oh!' cried Alice. She flung her
self into her friends arms, bushes envel-
opins her. Wasn't he splendid, perfectly
delightfully."- splendid" Oh, Mrs, Ferguson,
/ never was so ashamed of myself in my
whole life, actually listening there. There
was something so noble about him, and
he pitied me so, Well, If L didn't bring
you the gold-piece, I brought you luck,
anyway. you dear SOUL
She dived down into her pocket with an
impetuous movement for her handkerchief;
she drew it forth with so much energy
that the pocket came with II, and from its
folds dropped a shining disk that rolled
over towards the fender, and then stopped.
It was 4 twenty-dollar gold-p:ece!
The children shrieked as usual. and ran
for it. 1t was the right one this time, and
no delusion. 1t brought with it visions OF
Christmas cheer, showers of toys, table
full of good things, evergreens for the
walls, sweet comfort, and jollity, and dear
hope for the future.
ALICE said Lenore, solemnly, Il be-
leve that you did it all on purpose
1t was late that night when John Fergu-
son came home; his step was light and
quick as Il had not been for months; his
eyes were smiling and tender as they fell
on his wife. In his hand he carried par
eel.
He sat down by her on the lounge, and
drew her TO him, her long chestnut hair
Iallins over his shoulder, her soft cheek
flushed Neither spoke for few minutes.
Then he said. very gently:
Sweet mother!'
Us it all settled with Mr.. Tedford?" she
asked presently.
.'Yes, all; that is, II you consent-if you
are willing to live away out in Montana"
with your" She gave a low, sweet laugh
for answer.
'I am TO have charge of the works, the
salary IS beyond my expecta tions, and ne
gave me an advance at once"
"a
yes: Telford and 1 made round of the
shops afterwards. He insisted on contrib
utins MS share TO them. He's an awfully
good fellow. 1 have the package outside.
and we'll fill the babies stockings soon. BY
the way, Lenore, he has fallen head over
eare In love with Alice. He will marry her
some day. and they will set up a family
soll-piece of their own. do believe. His
| rhepsodies were amusing
''Yes: don't talk about them now. On,
my dear, my dear. I am so thankful for
you
They sat without speaking again for
time in that silence which is the hearts
deepest voice.
Presently he said: do you want to see
wha: have in this parcel for you?"
For me-,
Yes" He unfolded it slowly. 'I have
been buying Christmas presents for my
beautiful wife. Now you can iook"'
In the paper lay folds Of shining blue
silk. and a simmer Of white lace.
..John. dearestt' she gave laugh that
was a sob. why. have hardly any plain
gowns TO wear"
II know, know; you shall buy all you
| need now. But / have longed 10 give you
these for years I wanted 20 make sure of
| ,her, first At me- see how Won look