The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-02-14
THE
IDOL. %
by FERGUS HUME

He called to see you, my dear. He want
ed to speak to you about the Boojum"
THE BoOjum?" Norah looked perplex-
ed. This idol seemed always to be thrust
ing itself forward now What does the
general know about the Boojum?'
"Only what the rest of the place knows.
He asked to see it, and I showed 1t to
him. He was immensely interested in it
Norah. You know how mad the old
thing is on curfos."
Norah did know, and so, to their sor-
row, did the relatives Of Gen. Burnley.
He was rich old bachelor, and his pas
sion for curio-collecting had been the
means of gradually estranging him from
his family who lived in hope Of inheriting
his money, or at least a portion OF it.
But the general was of the same mind
as Balzac's Cousin Pons; and money
spent on curios was, to his thinking,
something more than well spent And,
in truth, the dismal little house which
he occupied on the outskirts of Oldport
was nothing more nor less than q mu-,
scum. Price never stood in the way Of
Gen. Burnley when once his fancy was
taken; and Norah was in nowise aston
ished when she heard that he had come
after her idol
HE wants to buy it, Fancy?'
The schoolgirl nodded three times.
Says he'll fork out G35."
OOH Ue SidnSNJ tanCy. 1OlFty-IlV0
pounds! 1 wouldn't sell 1t for less thln
fifty"
Would you sell 1t at all, Norah2"
Fancy shook her flowing hair and opened
her eyes very wide. 81 told him you
wouldn't, as It was Leonards last PRES
emit"
Norah swallowed lump in her throat.
but for the moment did not answer. ''You
did not tell mother Of this?" She asked.
anxiously
mo. she's not back from the registry
office. Martha's awfully bad, Norah-''
Fancy" Miss Wharton took her sis
ter's hand, You know I never do any
thing without good reason. Much as
hate the idea Of 1t L am going to sell
the Boo5um to Gen. Burnley; but I don't
want mother to know about It,"
Why" asked Fancy, bluntly.
II require the money for a purpose"
replied Norah, gravely eff you told
mother, she would want it,
rs it to find Leonardo" asked the young
sister; then without waiting for reply:
Eyes, L see by your face 1t is. All right,
Norah, I won't say word to mother.
want you to find Leonard. But If mother
gets to know that the Boojum is gcne?"
Then I'll confess the truth to her my
self" said Miss Wharton. But 1 don't
think she will find out, Fancy She has
taken no notice of it. Hush! Here
she is"
For obvious reasons Norah thought it
best to let Fancy believe that the money
was to be applied to the finding of Leon
ard. At first she had truly intended to
give the thing to Philip, and let him
sell II himself. But the offer of Gen
Burnley decided her. She felt sure Philip
would never be able to get the price that
no fo,. 70 L.,
to part even thus With Leonard's last
gift; but she was content to do so if
the proceeds could be used to bride Philip
into immediate departure. His presence
was a nightmare to her.
Mrs. Wharton came in with two pieces
of news. Firstly, she had secured the
paragon of all servants; secondly her
paragon had been obtained through the
assistance of Mr.. Eli Marks. In explana-
ton of this, let it be said that Mrs.
Wharton'S relations with the Hebrew
mCney-lender were somewhat singular.
lie knew of her poverty naturally, yet
on mere note of hand he had been so
kind as to lend her money, at something
like 120 per cent. In one year or
another she was under his thumb He
had met her on this ocCa ion accfde MT Ilv.
as she was on her way to the Registry
office. And he had informed her that he
had just heard through Nebby-who de,
livered the Wharton rewspapert-hat she
required q servant. 1t then appeared
that Mr.. Marks was commercially inter
ested in q certain registry office, and he
sought to have the privilege of supplying
her with the very article she vas in quest
Of
Her name is Jael Moss" said Mrs.
Wharton, at the luncheon table. 81 saw
her last mistress, Mrs. HenGers, Gel.
Henders' wife, and she recommends her
highly"
ooh. Jewess." cried Fancy. twisting
her pretty nose.
NOW, that's just like you, Fancy, Civ
ing me nc credit for my trouble. Jew
esses are lovely cooks. and most !ntelli-
gent workers. I am much obliged to Mr.
Marks for finding me this treasure
consider 1t was most thoughtful OF him"
'Oh, yes, he is thoughtful-especially
when we have to pay up"
Fancy, hold your tonguel Norah
dear Jael Is able to come at cEce-tlfs
afternoon"
but mother, what about Martha 2"
They can sleep IN the same room UNITY
she goes Now, don't argue, Norah; You
make my head ache. I'm sure thsre's
enough to bother it, walled Mrs. WAR
ton; but your poor mother never was.
and never will be. appreciated
CTo Be Continued Daily.J