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


Tie, and you ought to be ashamed even to
listen to such q suggestion. Can't you SEQ
that Il 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
tcryiew 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 SpHague 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, Spraguo
evidently did not know that the book had
been found in the house of his aunt Bar
bara Myles He turned or his caller, pur-
pie anger mounting to his forehead, and
shouted:
''Yes, I can see that tiIs 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 had long been the pride
Of Norwell. Sprague turned white and
seemed abort to fall. Found in my
aunt's house, you say?' he faltered.
AYE" answered Barrie "Now, can you
deny she stole it?'' "Who else knew mora
of its value? Who else had q chance to
steal it? Didn't she tell Miss Timmins
it would sell for at least $500 and she
knew where she could use the money we'll?
I 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. 1 shall call
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 I don't want anything
to do with any breed of thieves, either
you or your
Sprague took a sudden step and tao
kled Barrie as he had many a time tao
kled q running half back at football prac-
lice. Barrie fell heavily and looked half
afraid up into the stern young face above
him.
Snow, get up" said Sprague, s'and if
you ever say another word against my
aunt in my presence I'll-I'1l 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
spasm of excitement by the news that
tour 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, the object Of many book
worms pilgrimage to his library. Its 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 Ii
bfary.
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 it's resting place in
the library dozen times dag.
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 q mother. Robert Barrie, bringing her
the quarter 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 the devotion of q
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 sweet
heart, with constant letters.
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 re-
mark made TO Miss TiInnins about the
value of the Walton, Immediately arrested
Barbara Myles. Tt 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 N such summary fashion.
The news of the finding'of the book
staggered him, and he sought to explain
1t to himself, never once departing from
his stout belief in his aunt's honesty On
the way tc her house, where she was con-
fined IL the abence of more suitable iail
40 i1tSe os%E 10y &C. OOU was DIS 6CCeuUrlc
and absentminded as Pudd'nhe Will
son and withal a bookworm of the worm
lest kind. This morning he was full of
the missing book and as indignant as
Sprague himself at the turn of affairs
John, my soil, said he, ''what fuddle
headed piece of business is thisP If could
get hold Of that constable, I believe I'd
cane him, do Why, tie fool, to think
Barbara mean Miss Myles-took it.
The angel Gabriel might steal it, but she
wouldn't. See here, John. I suppose I
ought to tell you something, seeing that
you are tile only living relative she's got.
I'm in love with thas little woman-yes,
sir, an-and by old Izaak Walton him
self I'm going to marry her if she'll say
yes. Meanwhile we'n get her out of this
scrape, yon and l."
Mr.. Doyle" said Sprague, "I am sur
prised. Go in and win, though. III do
all l can to help things along. But this
is 10 time to talk OF such things. I've
been to Barrie's, and we had scrap, and
he's forbidden me the house"
Poor Boy replied Doyle, "and Ma
rion, how does she feel?r