Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-10-14
THE MISSING BOOK.

why, it's absolutely absurd, Mr.. Bar
rie, and you ought to be ashamed even to
listen to such a suggestion. Can't you SEQ
that II she had the book it must be in the
house somewhere? She has had no oppor-
tunity to dispose of it"
Robert Barrie, Scotchman, had tried
hard to keep his temper through this in
terview with young Sprague for many
reasons. One of them was his suspicion
that Sprague loved his daughter Marion,
the very apple of his eye. Another was his
respect for Sprague himself, and, perhaps
the strongest of all, his boast that he never
let his temper master him.
This occasion, however, was too much.
To be told bya young "whuppersnapper"
that he ought to be ashamed of anything
was not to be tolerated. Besides. Sprague
evidently did not know that the book had
been found in the house of his aunt, Bar
bara Myles. He turned on his caller, pur-
pie anger mounting to his forehead, and
shouted:
"Yos, l can see that tho BOOK must of
course be in the house." He came a step
nearer and added: "And it was found
there this morning. Here it is now"
And he held out the priceless copy of
Izaak Walton that had long been the pride
of Norwell. Sprague turned white and
seemed about to fall. Found in my
aunt's house, you say?" he faltered.
Aye" answered Barrie. Now, a you
deny she stole it?'' ''Who else knew moro
Of it's value? Who else had . chance to
steal it2 Didn't she tell Miss Timmins
it would sell for at least $500 and she
knew where she could use the money wells
1 don't know that she hasn't used her po-
sition as librarian to steal other books.
Heaven knows where she got any money
to send to you at college. l shall call u
meeting of the library trustees at once and
see If they will not agree with me to prose-
cute her to the extent of the law, and now,
don't you step over my threshold again so
long as you live. 4 don't want anything
to do with any breed of thieves, either
you or your
Sprague took a sudden step and tao
killed. Barrie as he had many a time tao
killed. a running half back at football prac-
tice. Barrie fell heavily and looked half
afraid up into the stern young face above
him.
"Now, get up" said Sprague, land IL
you ever say another word against my
aunt in my presence Ill-I'l give you
another lesson in football tricks of the
goal kicking description" he finished,
half smiling to himself.
Only the morning before this interview
the town Of Norwell had been thrown into
a spasm of excitement by the news that
"our book" had been stolen. When Peter
Hackett died, he divided his really notable
library among the public libraries of his
native state and to Norwell fell his ia
nous Walton, tho object of many a book
worms pilgrimage to his library. Its be-
quest was hedged about by many condi-
tions, the foremost of which was the SOL
emn injunction that under no oircum-
stances was 1t to be removed from the Ii
brary.
1t was this particular condition which
caused Barbara Myles to experience a con-
tinual depressing sense Of responsibility.
The Walton was never absent from her
mind, and she visited its resting place in
the library a dozen times a day.
Beyond the slender salary which came
from her position she had little except al
unusual education and the bi%bliophile's
love Of books. John Sprague was her only
relative and she loved him with the love
Of a mother. Robert Barrie, bringing her
the quarters salary, his daughter Marion.
and of late eccentric Job Doyle, comprised
the list Of her Norwell callers.
Young Sprague repaid her love and
sacrifice with almost tho devotion of a
lover. He knew the story of the extra
cataloguing done for the big CITY library
that he might complete his college course.
His love for Marion Barrie, too, was no
secret from his gentle little aunt, and sho
fed him, hungry for news Of his sweet
heart, with constant letters.
She herself had discovered the loss and
reported 1t to the chairman Of trustees,
Robert Barrie, with fear and trembling.
He had told the village constable, and
that Sherlock Holmes, being told the re-
mark made to Miss TimMins about the
value of the Walton, Immediately arrested
Barbara Myles. 1t was this that had
caused the interview ending with the foot
ball lesson.
John Sprague left the house, realizing
that probably his love dream was over for
good and all, but not sorry on the whole
that he had defended his aunt's good
name in such a summary fashion.
The news Of the finding Of the book
staggered him, and he sought to explain
1t to himself, never once departing from
bis stout belief in his aunt's honesty. On
the way to her house, where she was con,
fined In the abence Of q more suitable jail,
be met Job Doyle. Job was as eccentric
and a~bsentminded as Pudd'nhead Will
son and withal a bookworm of the worm.
lest kind. This morning he was full Of
the missing book and Is indignant al
Sprague himself at the turn Of affairs.
John, my son. said he, "what fuddle
headed piece OF bur iness Ii thisi n / could
get hold Of that constable, / believe I'd
cane him, I do. Why, the fool, to think
Barbara-I mean Miss Myles-took It.
The angel Gabriel might steal it, but she
wouldn't. See here, John, ! suppose !
ought to toll you something, seeing that
you are the only living relative she's got
I'm in love with that little woman-yes,
OR, I am-and by old Izaak Walton him.
self I'm going to marry her II she'll say
yes. Meanwhile we'l get her out Of this
scrape, you and l."
"Mr. Doyle, " said Sprague, II am u r
prised. Go In and win, though. Ill do
all I can to help things along. But this
ID no time to talk Of such things. I've
been to Barrie's, and we had q scrap and
he's forbidden me the house."
"Poor boy" replied Doyle, land Ma
rion, how does she feel?"
II haven't seen her since she got here,
but It's easy to imagine how she viii
treat me-"
"That reminds me, Invent to zee Barrie