Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1898-03-03
!; Found at Last.

Inefe is ufeafy nttle SnOp IN q
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 his
way. He had several times picked up
curious trifes there, and now, in a
corner of the window was a small
black frame that he fancied might be
suitable for print he had lately
bought.
AS 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. "Oh, 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 man change
color, and, glancing around to dis
cover the reason for such marvel, he
found that an elderly woman had en-
tered the shop.
''Then it's sold," she murmured
under her breath, as she looked at the
money lying on the counter.
WAS the frame yours 2" Duncan
asked, with disregard for the eti-
quette of buyer and seller.
eyes; at least, it belonged to "a
friend But there was picture in
it.
II shouldn't call it picture" in
AL I |. 4
together pleased when his customer
said: ''Well, whatever it was, should
like to see it.
From drawer was taken a small
oil painting--the portrait of a fair
haired girl, with bunch of white
lilies in her hand.
''It isn't much, and it wants 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 draper's,
where stand Of cheap mackintoshes
scraened him from observation; and
ne stood there until the woman ap-
pearcd, her lips compressed, red
spot on either cheek. Stocks had evil
dently driven hard bargain.
''I'nl AFRAID you did not get great
deal, said Duncan, as she reached
the door.
"Only S1.75. And I took the frame
there yesterday. He didn't have much
trouble"
Nov I want you to tell me where
you got the picture
81 can't do that, SIR"
"Why not?'
''People don't like their affairs talked
about when"
"Tley are in difficulties. That 1
understand perfectly. But when it's
question of refusing help-substan-
tial help-don't you think it makts a
difference? Look here" and he
opened locket he wore ON his watch
chain you know the face?"
eyes; it is Miss March, sure
enough" F."
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 truer friend in the world
than 1 would be is she would let me. I"
And Duncans s tone and manner car
ried conviction.
"Well, she's in need of 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 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 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 house
in neighboring street Here she
paused.
cts on the third floor. Will you
waltz"
TO Duncan it seemed as if they
were an hour mounting those stairs,
and when at last they came to the
third floor and door of the back room
was opened, mist seemed to dim his
eyes.
Duncan" said an unsteady voice
and with an effort he recovered him.
self Duncan, you here?"
''Yes; but | ought to have been
here long ago. Why didn't you send
Cor me?"
Rupert Warren turned his head on