The Portland daily press., 1898-08-11

home with Barbara-I'll call her that this
time without the Miss-and she didn't
have it. Put it back? Why, certainly. I
always do. OF course. Puddle headed fool,
I'll Cane himl"
John went straight to his aunt's, deter
mined not to tell her Of the futile inter
view with Barrie and its ending. But
Cupid ruled otherwise. He found Marion
Barrie in the house, and, realizing how
hopeless his love must be now, was haroly
civil to her. Even his aunt noticed 1t and
said:
Why, John, Marion has been my only
comfort, except always you, 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, re-
strained only by Marions presence.
AS she listened the color left her face,
and a great tear filled each eye. She loved
her father; but now she realized that she
loved John Sprague more, and as she real
lied it her eyes told the story.
Barbara had stolen from the room, and
they were alone John finished with,
"And that's why have little to say to
you, Miss Barrie.
g Miss BaErier All, no, John, not
thatl I''--and she blushed and hesitated
ST don't agree with father, john
Ten minutes later they sought Barbara
Myles to assure her that neither "agreed
with father
ssNow john" said Marion, 1T believe
that you and / can fathom this. OF course
the most natural theory is that some enc
my Of Miss Myles has put this book here
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.
s'Where was it found?" asked John.
"In the boz under the seat here by the
fireplace, answered Barbara. Chow
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
the settler
"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.
.sWhen came home to lunch, the book
was there in its accustomed place That
was the last saw Of it. Oh, no-Job
Doyle had it that afternoon"
eyes, no told me SO when I met him.
Did he put it baokf''
"why, John, you don't think-of course
he put it back"
ibid you see it after you saw it in his
hands9 Think hard now"
The poor little woman blushed and
looked uncomfortable and finally said:
stNo.Sn Mr. Doyle was waiting outside for
me, and it was storming fercely. So
just put out the remaining lights. and I
do believe / did not look to see if the Wal
ston were safes'
mtYes. yes" said John. "What them"
fWhy, we walked home together" she
said shyly, "and asked Job in to have q
cup Of tea, and he took off his coat and
put it,
"Wheref" demanded John.
"Why-why in the settie-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 Doyle's 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
do for your"
Tell us what you stole the Walton for, ("
said John.
"God bless my SOUL r calculated Job.
"What do you mean, sirP"
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 Barbara's sake,
Doyle, do try and recollect.
mo, have no recollection OF replacing
it,
Nov, as matter Of fact, isn't this
what happened: You read the Walton all