Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-11-08
NORWELL TREASURE.

and you ought to be ashamed even to listen
that If she had the book it must DO in tho
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 vas
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:
Eyes, l can see that the book must Of
course be in the house" He came a 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 about 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
more of it's value? Didn't she tell Miss
Timmins it would sell for at least $500
and she knew where she could use the
O we'll? / don't know that she hasn't
used her position as librarian to steal 9th
er books. Heaven knows where she got
any money to send to you at college. l
shall call a meeting of the library t~restees
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 a sudden step and ''tac-
killed." Barrie as he had many a time tao
killed. a running half back at football prac-
tice. Barrie fell heavily and looked halt
afraid up into the stern young face above
him.
"Now get up" said Sprague, "and il
you ever say another word against my
aunt in my presence II-Im give you an
other lesson in football tricks of the goal
kicking description" he finished, hall
smiling to himself.
Only the morning before this interview
the town of Norwell had been thrown into
a spasm of excitement by the news that
"our 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 a 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.
brary.
1t was this particular condition which
caused Barbara Myles to experience q con
tinual expressing sense of responsibility,
The Walton was never absent from hel
mind, and she visited it's resting place in
the library a dozen times q day.
Beyond the slender salary which came
from her position she had little except an
unusual education and tho b~ibliophile's
love of books. John Sprague was her only
relative, and she loved him with the love
of a mother. Robert Barrie, bringing hel
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
rifce with almost the devotion of a lover
He knew the story Of the extra cataloguinl
done for the big city library that he might
complete his college course. His love fol
Marion Barrie, too, was no secret from
his gentle little aunt, and she fed him
hungry for news of his sweetheart, witt
constant letters.
She herself had discovered the loss ant
reported it to the chairman of trustees
Robert Barrie, with fear and trembling
He had told the village constable, and tina
Sherlock Holmes, being told the remarl
made to Miss Timmins about the value 0
the Walton, Immediately arrested Barbar,
Myles. 1t was this that caused the inter
view ending with the football lesson.
John Sprague left the house realizing
that probably his love dream was over fol
good and all, but not sorry, on the whole
that he had defended his aunt's good name
in such a summary fashion.
The news of the finding of the book stag
gered him, and he sought to explain it t.
himself, never once questioning his aunt
honesty. On his way to her house, where
she was confined in the absence Of a more
suitable Jail, he met Job Doyle. Job wal
as eccentric and absentminded as Pudd'n
head Wilson and withal q bookworm of thu
Wormiest kind. This morning he was full
of the missing book and as indignant a.
Sprague himself at the turn affairs hat
taken.
"John, my son., " said he, what fuddl'
headed piece Of business is thisP If coult
get hold Of that constable, l believe II
Jane him. do. Why, the fool, to thinl
Barbara-1 mean Miss Myles-took it
The angel Gabriel might steal it, but sh
wouldn't. See here, John, I suppose
ought to tell you something, seeing yol
are the only living relative she's got. In
in love with that little woman-yes, sir
I am, and, by old Izaak Walton himself
I'm going to marry her il she'll shy yes
Meanwhile We'll get her out Of this scrape
you and l."
"Mr. Doyle, " said Sprague, II am SUI
prised. Go in and win, though. I'll d
all l can to help things along. But this 1
no time to talk Of such things. I've beel
to Barrie's, and we had a scrap, and he
forbidden me the house."
"Poor boyl" replied Doyle. And Ma
rion, how docs she feelp"
II haven't seen her since she got here
but it's easy to imagine how she will trea
me-"
"That reminds me. l went to see Bar
rie myself this morning, and a new mail
came to the door whom / never saw, AM
when sho asked me my nalne l couldn'
tell her. No, sir, l couldn't, and Oh
thought she'd got n l%unatic, l guess, b.
cause she slammed the door in my face
and l couldn't think what my name WI