The Portland daily press., 1898-08-11
NORWELL TREASURE.

"Why, it's absolutely absurd, MIR. Barrie,
and you ought to be ashamed even to listen
that if 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 these was his suspicion
that Sprague loved his daughter Marion.
the very apple of his eye. Another was
his respect for Sprague himself, and per-
haps the strongest of all his boast that he
never let his temper master him.
This occasion, however, was too much.
To be told by a young "wuppersnapper'
that he ought to be ashamed Of anything
was not to be tolerated. Besides, Sprague
himself evidently did not know that the
book had been found in the house Of his
aunt, Barbara Myles. He turned on his
caller, purple anger mounting to his fore
head and shouted:
tsYes, can see that the book must of
course be in the house. He came 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 haa long been the
pride of Norwell Spragua turned white
and seemed about to fall. found in my
aunt's house, you says" he faltersd
"Aye., answered Barris. "Ncw, can
you deny she stole it?'' 'fWho else knew
more of it's valued Didn't she tell Miss
Timmins it would sell for at least $500
and she knew where she could use the
money welle don't know that she hasn't
used her position as librarian to steal 9TH
or books Heaven knows where she got
any money to send to you at college. I
shall call a meeting Of the library trestees
at once and see if they will not agree with
me to prosecute her to the extent Of the
law. And now don't you step over my
threshold again SO long as you live. I
don't want anything to do with any breed
of thieves, either you or your
Sprague took sudden step and s'tac-
kled'' Barrie as he had many time tao
killed. running half back at football prae-
tice. Barrie fell heavily and looked half
afraid up into the stern young face above
him.
CHOW get up, said Sprague, fand If
you ever say another word against my
aunt in my presence I'Il.-I'll give you an.
other 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
spasm of excitement by tbs news that
four book" had been stolen. When Peter
Hackett died, he divided his really notable
library among tbs public libraries Of his
native state, and to Norweil fell his IA
nous Walton, the object Of many book
worms pilgrimage to his library. It's be-
quest was hedged about by many condi-
lions, the foremost Of which was the sol
emn injunction that under no circum-
stances was it to be removed from the IL
brary.
1t was this particular condition which
caused Barbara Myles to experience con-
tinual depressing sense of responsibility.
The Walton was never absent from her
mind, and she visited its resting place in
the library dozen times day.
Beyond the slender salary which came
from her position she had little except an
unusual education and the bibliophile'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 sac
riice with almost the devotion of 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 she fed him,
hungry for news Of his sweetheart, with
constant letters. sss
She herself had discovered the loss and
reported it to the chairman Of trustees,
Robert Barrie, with fear and trembling.
He had told the village constable, and that
Sherlock Holmes, being told the remark
made to Miss Timmins about the value of
the Walton, Immediately arrested Barbara
Myles. It was this that caused the inter-
view ending with the football lessen.
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 summary fashion.
r. The news of the finding Of the book stag
gered him, and he sought to explain it to
never once questioning his aunt's
honesty. On his way to her house, where
she was confined in the absence Of moro
suitable jail, he met Job Doyle. Job was
as eccentric and absentminded as Pudd'n-
head Wilson and withal bookworm of the
wormiest kind. This morning he was full
Of the missing book and as indignant as
Sprague himself at the turn affairs had
taken.
"John, my son, said he, "what fiddle
headed piece of business is thisP If could
get hold of that constable, believe I'd
cane him. 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, 1 suppose l
ought to tell you something, seeing you
ale the only living relative she's got. I'm
In love with that little woman-yes, sir.
| am, and, by old Izaak Walton himself,
going to marry her If she'll say yes
we'll get her out of this scrape,
you and l."
'Mr. Doyle, said Sprague, ct am sur
prised Go in and win, though. I'll do
all can to help things along. But this is
no time to talk of such things. I've been
10 Barrie's, and we had a scrap, and he's
forbidden me the house."
Poor boyr' replied Doyle. "And Ma
rion, how does she feel?''
II haven't seen her since she got here,
bIlt it's easy tO irnaOipe how che will treat