Gulf Coast breeze. [volume] (Crawfordville, Fla.) 1897-19??, 1898-03-18
!; Found at Last.

| There is dreary little shop in 9
dirty little street In the shop win
dow a curious medley of things, old
and new, worthless and valuable.
Into this shop one, dull November
afternoon Duncan Coils found hi.
way. He had several times picked up
curious trifes there, and now. in a
corner Of the window was small
black frame that he fancied might be
suitable for print he had lately
bought. ...,......, ....'
As a matter Of course, the wizened
old man behind the counter asked
twice as much rs 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 sthat such purchases are
safer in ones own keeping.
Duncan noticed the old man change
color, and, glancing around to dis
cover the reason for such q marvel, he
found that an elderly woman had en-
tered the shop.
'Then it's sold," she murmured
under hor breath, as she looked at the
money lying on the counter.
"Was the frame yours ?" Duncan
asked, with disregard for the ETH
quette of buyer and seller.
Eyes; at least, it belonged to IA
friend. But there was picture in
it,"
II shouldn't call it picture" in
terrupted Stocks. And he was not al
together pleased when his customer
said: "Well, whatever it was, should
like to see it,"
From q drawer was taken a small
oil painting--the portrait of q fair
haired girl, with a bunch of white
lilies in her hand
ut isn't much, and it wants q gilt
frame"
"No, it isn't much, repeated Dun
can, aud 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 it's frame
and then left the place.
Three doors off was a draper's,
where stand of cheap mackintoshes
screened him from observation; and
he stood there until the woman APP
peared, her lips compressed, red
spot on either cheek. Stocks had evil
IDENTIFY driven hard bargain.
''I'm afraid You did not get great
deal, said Duncan, as she reached
the door.
"Only $1.75. 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"
al can't do that, SIR"
"Why not?"
"People don't like their affairs talked
about when"
"They are in difficulties. That l
understand perfectly. But when it's
question of refusing help ubstan-
tial help--don't you think it makts a
difference? Look here" and he
opened a locket he wore on his watch
chain -.'you know the face?"
"Yes; it is Miss March, sure
enough"
As he had suspected, the girl he
was seeking hal 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 truer friend in 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 1t; and when he's gone
she'll have no one 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 q year aud
more"
Good heavens, woman, can't Won
that YOU re torturiug me?"
And possibly she did understand,
forShe turned and walked on quickly,
till they reached the door of house
in neighboring street. Here she
paused.