Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-21

for him a delightful fascination. he was
determined to find out how and why tnae
balloon. suspended so harmlessly In mid-
air. on an autumn afternoon. mad conne
by its tragic conclusion. Here was md
terIal for the exercise OF talent, ana ne
examined and cross-examined every mem
her OF the household. sitting each BIT OIL
fresh evidence with a pertinacity that Kept
the culprit perpetually on the rack had
ne asked a straight question he couio
soon have discovered the truth. but such
n course would have been beneath the
dignity of Sherlock Holmes; IL was also
beneath the dignity of Teddy. And so,
for n few days, in the intervals OF cricke,
and other serious occupations. ne taiheu
constantly OF the mysteriou1 occurrence
until his brother grew startled ana neasy
eyed. 1t was horrible thus TO be confront
ed at every turn by memory ana re
morse Michael became daily more 81
lent more nervous, and more attached |"
his beloved Louisa. She was hS only con
ISOLATION: where he went she went aiso'
and. being exceedingly small and cohap-
sible. she was easily concealed In the
pocket of his frock, where, In company
with a handkerchief Of doubtful iresh-
ness and other varying treasures, sne
always kept her place.
Matters came to a climax on the fourth
seemed so low and out of spirits that Miss
Spalding called him into her presence,
and ordered him a dose OF medicine, lot
she was an imported article. and SO ex-
pensive that Michaers parents had stipu-
lated for English methods In all particu-
lars.
ut will do you good" said she; your
liver needs settling"
Michael looked at her piteously. BUT
laH
/ don't want my liver settieu' saiu n''
II like 1t wobby."
Remonstrance, however. was useless.
The draueht was administered, ana
Michael fen the cup OF his misfortune
full. In the old days medicines were
supposed to act as we'll on the moral as
on the physical organs. whether TINS
notion be a mere idle superstition. VINO
shall determine? Certain il is that Hu-
ring the afternoon of Thanksgiving Day
as Aubrey and Teddy set side by siue
under the leafiess trees in the orchard,
their younger brother crossed the grass
and stood dejectedly before them. HIS
face was flushed and downcast; his curls
In disorder. A battered hat, suspended
by n piece of frayed elastic, hung over
his shoulder; tightly clutched against his
side he carried the doll Louisa, and caro-
line. with an air of impartialfty, accompa-
MED him. Men of the world are not easl-
ly taken by surprise; neither Aubrey nor
Teddy showed any particular astonish-
ment though each felt instinctlYeiy that
some portentious revelation was at hanu'
Aubrey met Caroline's eye with question
in his own, and Teddy. glancing at the
towsled figure OF his little brother, lald
aside the forked stick on which he had
been whiting, and demanded Immediate
exclamation Then Caroline spoke, ana
spoke with an eloquence she could never
have commanded on her own account.
Michael. she explained, had confessed
10 her the destruction Of the Babys ar
balloon He desired now that his brothers
should be made acquainted with his guilt.
He was not here to plead justification or
excuse, but merely to lay the matter De-
fore those older and wiser than himself,
end to abide by their decision. Inc
deed had been one OF sudden impulse,
and alas! II proved irrevocable; the prison
er had nothing more to add save plea
for lenient judgment. and the hope that
he might not be handed over to Nurses
correction (Nurse, as doubtless the
Judges were aware. entertained an I'M
accountable partially for the baby) caro-
line. as advocate. wished also to observe
that the baby did not appear Frustrated
by her loss, and that Michael had refrain
ed from misleading statements concern
ing the fate of the air-balloon. When ques-
toned he had merely shaken his head and
remained silent. This. she thought, since
the temptation to enter upon deniais must
have been considerable. should be ac-
counted to him for righteousness. Here
Caroline. pausing suddenly. dropped al
once her forensic style and the hand of
Michael, and threw herself on the grass
between the elder boys.
"He might have told us awful stories,
III haII cd TN q n H.
served colloquially. II don't think ne
meant any real harm, you know, ano
| Michael isn't like any one else. He's al
ways $3.50 unexpected"
Michael stepped forward resoluteiy. his
| fat fists, with Louisa held between them
squeezed against his chest. The three
under the apple-tree regarded him eX-
pectantly. Michael caught his breath
| little.
II did It." he said, stumbling over the
| words as he spoke, "and I'm very sorry
| 1t was so blue--and mine had bursted II
| self-and-and-I wanted IL so much. But
| it's been heavy on my heart ever since
| Again there was silence. Michael snlfteo
| desolately in this moment OF suspense,
| and. since Caroline now sat amongst lht
| Judges. he sorely needed comfort ana re-
| assurance. Teddy got up and took him
| by the shoulders.
Il
| ly; That's the first thing you're to learn
| Michael. D-don't cry, but go away, anc
| c-come back when you hear me call. VI
| course. we'll have to consider this"
Michael glanced into his brothers face
\ choked a little recovered himself by ar
\ effort and moved away obediently tran
| ing one foot behind the other as he went
| Caroline looked after. him sympathetically
| ut was brave OF him TO tell" she said,
as the little figure disappeared into the
shrubbery Teddy reflected for moment.
| "Y-yes," he said. II suppose you think
| because he's told he ough. TO be let off
but I'd have found out sooner or later.
4, OF c-course / should; Sherlock Holmes
| always did. Now Aubrey, what's TO be
! do-done about him? We must stop this
'ry-crying and playing with dolls: he'd
I e a perfect disgrace IL Father sent him
D school, and / suppose one OF usll have
have him some day. / hope II won't
be mer
| We'll" said Aubrey thoughtfully,
| "p'r'aps he won't cry so badly at school,
and anyhow he can't take his Louisa with
him. l think he's sorry. poor little chap,
| and the Baby has forgotten all about ii.
THAT doesn't matter" persisted Teddy
1T was mean OF him to prick her balloon
and he's got TO be made to understand IT,
| B-besides how can you tell he'd not take
that miserable little doll to school? II
he did. and our fellows saw it--well. the
| placed be too hot TO hold him. that's all
It'd be the ruin of him forever"
81 guess Louisa wouldn't hold together
| long at school," said Aubrey smiling
but he's such little fellow, Teddy
Eyes. know, and he's got TO be bigger
! a uuick as he c-can. He's done a Sneaky