The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-04-21

am 10 begin tomorrow, and parhaus
Arch. II can get you in you can come
down some time and watch me work.
though no one must see you. Let's get
the child up and have a jubilee, for this
is the chance Of my life
"The next day father started on the
picture and for days and days and
months after that we never saw him
except early in the morning and late at
night. and Uncle Archie and were
continually together. as he rarely ever
left the studio nowadays. but he had
greatly changed in the last few
months; either a settled fixed purpose
had come into his life or he was great
ly dissatisfied with himself and his
ways. He was no longer the old. Jolly
Archie. the boy OF nineteen, but had
lost his mirth and jollIty in few short
weeks and seemed now a care-worn
man OF thirty-hve. Father was too
busy TO see It and as was such child
only noticed that he had no longer
the pleasant word and hearty, ring
ing laugh which were his blrthright.
Father had not yet had a chance TO
take Archie to the capital with him. as
the room in which he worked was
known only to the President and the
keeper at the door. for there had been
a valuable painting stolen from the
gallery not long before and extra pre-
cautions were being taken with this
great masterpiece. One day, however,
father came home and told Uncle Arch
lie that he thought he had u good
chance to let him see the picture the
next day as the door-keeper was sick
and they thought they did not need to
replace him for few days at least. He
was not to tell any one. on any condi-
ton, about the picture Archie prom
ised, and bright and early the next
morning they started out. leaving me
alone in the studio. After 4 long day
they came home in the evening, father
very tired. as usual. from his work,
and Uncle Archie with his old, gay, joy
Gus manner come back once more. AZ
ter a cosy little studio tea. Uncle
Archie begged US to excuse him, as he
had an engagement with a young
friend. This was so unusual that we
were somewhat surprised. but as faith
er said nothing, I was silent also, and
Archie departed in peace. We soon
went to bed and I slept calmly and
sweetly until the next morning, not
knowing that this was perhaps the
most eventful night Of my life. Father
woke me up early. saying Uncle Archie
had not come back yet, and that he
would have to leave me alone in the
studio. Just as he was speaking there
came a most awful knocking at the
door and father went to open 1t. There
stood most formidable looking party,
composed Of the door-keeper OF the
white house, two or three policemen.
and the sheriff. The sheriff stepped
forward. saying: Mr.. Carrollton. re-
greet It exceedingly. but must arrest
you in the name OF the law Arrest
The word fell on my ear with a shock
my father arrested! stepped forward
and said: Please. sir. he is my faith
er. and you must not arrest him I
can't help 1t, little girl. but he has sto-
len a picture at the capital. He is the
only one who knew where 1t was kept,
and it was stolen last night Father
said nothing to the officers, but turn
ing 10 me, said: Never mind, little
girl; 20 down to Mrs Nlcklin's below
and father will be home this evening.
and saying this he went out with the
men. Well, l would not go down to
Mrs. Niclilin's, but stayed in the studio
all day. crying in the window seat,
wondering when Uncle Archie or father
would come home. But Uncle Archie
never came back and after two days
father came. accompanied by some
more officers and he took me in his
arms and held me there q long time.
and then he told me that I must go TO
Aunt carrie Fosters and try to be a
good girl. for he would have to be away
for a long time. but some day he would
come back and get me and that I must
always be his own good little darling
daughter. So the next day Aunt Carrie
came to get me and although l cried
myself sick and begged to be left in the
studio to die. l was brought here and l
have never seen father or Uncle Archie
since. And, do you know. children. al
though l am sometimes called daugh-
ter OF n convict know that father
never stole that picture. and some
times, way down In the bottom OF my
heart. / think that Uncle Archie is
guilty Of It ALL" Annie got no farther,
for Mr.. Foster walked into the room at
this juncture and asked kindly: An
ME. dear. why did you never tell us
this beforc7 You had no right to keep
II TO yourself. and we will do all that
We can to bring your father back to
YOU" The next day Mr.. Foster be-
gan his search for Archie and the lost
pi,ture. He worked and worked for
weeks and months and finally in far
on corner OF the world, he found the
reprobate Archie. who had allowed his
Innocent brother to suffer for him. and
nj once handed him over to justice. The
picture was never recovered, and
though Annie's father was n changed
and altered man after HIS long years OF
toll In the panltentary. Annie's longed-
Tor dream is fulfilled. as they have their
old, delightful studio life back again.
I'M, sbe sim gathers her faithful darl-