The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-07-14

comfort, except you always, since this
happened, and you act as if you were an
CRY with her. Oh, what are they going to
do with me, John? What did Mr.. Barrie
say?"
And John could keep in no longer. 1t
all came in rush of passionate words,
restrained only by Marion's presence.
As she listened the color left her face and
a great tear filed each eye. She loved her
father, but now she realized that she loved
John Sprague more, and as she realized it
her eyes told tho story. Barbara had stol-
Gu from tho room, and they were alone.
John finished with and that's why
have little to say to you, Miss Barrie.''
" Miss Barrie' All, no, John, not
that r. and she blushcd and hesitated.
81 don't agree with my father, John"
Ten minutes later they sought Barbara
Myles to assure her that neither "agreed
with father
Now, John,'' said Marion, ST believe
that you and I must fathom this. Of
course the most natural theory is that
some enemy Of Miss Myles has put this
book hero in this house. But there are
two facts against that. No one has been
in the house but old Job Doyle, and Miss
Myles hasn't any enemies. But there was
the book"
"Where was it found?' asked John.
''In the box under the seat here by the
fireplace" answered Barbara tHow
could it have come there unless after had
left here the morning I found it was gone
some one had come here and placed it in
tho settle?"
"Were there any signs of any ones COM
ing in, Aunt Barbara? Tell us the whole
story again from the last time you saw the
book, said John. .
"When l came home to lunch, the book
was there in its accustomed place. That
was the last 1 saw of it. Oh, no, Job
Doyle had it that afternoon"
eyes, he told me so when met him.
Did he put it back?''
'sWhy, John, you don't think Of
course he put it back. :"
"Did you see it after you saw it in his
hands? Think hard, now"
The poor little woman blushed and
looked uncomfortable and finally said:
"No. Mr.. Doyle was waiting outside for
me, and it was storming tiercely. So I
just put out the remaining lights, and I
do believe did not look to see if the Wal
ton were SAFE.
"Yes, yes, said John. "Why, we walk
ed home together" she said shyly, "and I
asked Job in to have cup of tea, and he
took off his coat and put it,
"Where?" demanded John.
"Why-why, in the settle-why-John
you don't think Why, where are you 60
ing, John?'
John rushed out of the house, saying
something as he went about "that absent
minded chap will forget where he lives
next"
He went to Job Doyle3 house, and the
maid told him she expected her master
back at any moment, so he concluded to
wait Soon in came Job, wearing far
away look, and greeted John with very
formal: "How do you do, sir? What can
I do for your"
"Tell us what you stole the Walton for, J"
said John.
"God bless my SOUL" calculated Job.
"What do you mean, sir?''
Nothing but what said," said John,
laughing in spite of himself. "Now, see
here, Mr.. Doyle. You told me you were
reading the book that afternoon. Did you
put it back? Now, for Barbaras sake,
Doyle, do try and recollect'
mo. have no recollection of replac-
ing it,
Now, as matter Of fact, isn't this
what happened? You read the Walton all
the afternoon, and when O'Clock struck
and Aunt Barbara began to put the lights
out you put your greatcoat on
"And, like a fiddle headed fool that I
am, slipped the book into my pocket.
EXACTLY"
'tBut how did it get into the settle?'
simplest thing in the world When
you went into the house,
~ took my coat off, and it slipped out
of the pocket"
Fright again.
SWELL, John Sprague I'm baldhead-
ed idiot. Come on down to Barrie's and
tell him the story and then we'll go out
hunting for the constable with a shotgun
mo. You'd better send for Mr.. Barrie
and tell him about it. -
Accordingly Mr.. Barrie was sent for, and
Job told him the whole story, concluding
with: va
Robert Barrie, you'd better take back
some things you said this morning to
John here. But if you want to play any
football tricks on me, why I guess I'd
make good wayback. Did you ever in
your life meet bigger addle pated ape
than me?''
And Robert Barrie was forced to admit
that he never had.-George Lincoln in
Chicago Record