The Opelousas courier., 1898-04-30
Found at Last.

afternoon Duncan Coils found his
way. He had several times picked up
curious trifes there, and now, in a
corner of the window was q small
black frame that he fancied might be
suitable for a print lie had lately
bought.
AS a matter of course, the wizened
old man behind the counter asked
twice as much as the frame was worth,
though he knew his customer by sight,
and respected him.
After some protestations an offer
was accepted. ooh, I'll take it with
me-" he continued, experience having
taught him that such purchases are
safer in ones own keeping.
Duncan noticed the old maj change
color, and, %glancing around to dis
cover the reason for such a marvel, he
found that an elderly woman had en-
tered the shop.
"Then it's solo," she murmured
under her breath, as she looked at the
money lying Oh the counter.
''Was the frame yours 2" Duncan
asked, with a disregard for the eti-
quette Of buyer and seller.
eyes; at least, it belonged to "a
friend. But there was a picture in
it,"
81 shouldn't call it a picture" in
terrupted Stocks. And he was not al
together pleased when his customer
said: "Well, whatever it was, I should
like to see it,"
From a drawer was taken a small
oil painting--the portrait of a fair
haired girl, with a bunch of white
lilies in her hand.
cit isn't much, and it wants a gilt
frame"
"No, it isn't much" repeated Dun
can, and he smiled. For once Stocks
was mistaken. Duncan Coils had
painted that picture, and an apprecia-
tive public had taught him the value
of his own work.
Duncan bought the picture from
the old dealer put it back in its frame
and then left the place.
Three doors off was a Diapers,
where a stand of cheap mackintoshes
screened him from observation; and
he stood there until the woman ap-
peared, her lips compressed, a red
spot on either cheek. Stocks had evil
IDENTIFY driven a hard bargain.
':I'm afraid you did not get a great
DEAL" said Duncan, as she reached
the door.
"Only 81. rs. And I took the frame
there yesterday. He didn't have much
trouble"
"Now I want you to tell me where
you got the picture"
II can't do that, sir"
"Why not"
"People dom like their affairs talked
about when"
"They are in difficulties. That I
understand perfectly. But when it's
a question of refusing help-substan-
tial help-don't you think it makts a
difference? Look here" and he
opened a locket he wore Oh his watch
chain -"you know the facet"
eyes; it is Miss March, sure
enough"
AS he had suspected, the girl he
was seeking had put aside her own
name, together with many other things
that had belonged to her past.
"Then tell me where to find her.
There isn't atruer friend i'll the world
than / would be is she would let me-"
And Duncan's tone and manner car
ried conviction.
"Well, she's in need of a friend
now, and she'll be more in need of one
soon. Her brothers dying, though
she won't see it; and when he's gone
she'll have no M belonging to her.
Of course, she won't have to work SO
hard"
"Do you mean to say she keeps
him?"
"She's done that for a year and
more"
"Good heavens, woman, can't you
understand that you're torturing me?"
And possibly she did understand,
for she turned and walked on quickly,
till they reached the door of a house
in a neighboring street. Here she
paused.
tits on the third floor. Will you
wait?!"
70 Duncan it seemed as if they
were an hour mounting those stairs,
and when at last they came to the
third floor and 3 door ofthe back room
was opened, a mist seemed to dim his
eyes. @
Duncan" said an unsteady voice
and with an effort he recovered him
SELF Duncan, you here?"
eyes; but I ought to have been
here long ago. Why didn't you send
for me?"
Rupert Warren turned his head on
the pillow and looked fixedly at the
wall.
ELSA wonld not hear Of it. She
wanted to keep my secret. As if
secrets matter when ones dying"
ooh, don't be downhearted, old man!
Perhaps, if you tell me all about
it"
II fancied you might be looking
for US and prayed you would. come in
time, but I hadn't the strength to
write. Do you know why we left
Lansale?n
"ko."
I--borrowed some money belong
Lug to the firm, anl II was found out.