The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-02-15

Synopsis of Preceding Chapters-The
scene opens on F1etmouth Pier, where
Norah Wharton is awaiting the arrival
Of her lover, Lieut.. Jayne, just home
from Chinese waters. Among other
things the young sailor has brought with
him is a siX-inch idol of beaten gold,
which Norah seiZes eagerly to place on
the mantelpiece. Accidentally, however,
1t gets dropped into a tall Chinese jar,
where for the time. the tale leaves it.
Next day Lieut.. Jayne is missing, and
Norah remembers that on the. pier he
had noticed Chinaman waiting, and
that afterwards he had seemed less will
ing to give her the idol. A boat is found
on the beach somewhat damaged, and
Rowland Gaskell, a cousin Of Jaynes,
who also loves NoFah, threatens to fore
close mortgage on Jayne's property.
In such minor mode did the widow con-
tinue to lament all luncheon, so that the
meal was less cheerful than might have
been expected. At its exclusion she be-
took herself to lie down, leaving hel
daughters to their own devices. Fancy
returned to Miss Prim's establishment
for her music lesson, and Norah, deem
ing the moment propitious, took the
golden image to Gen. Burnley Under
other circumstances she would have re-
manned at home, since there was no one
ficult for her to escape the Vigilant eye
of her mother that she seized this OPP
portuTlity and life word with Martha
that she would return in an hours time
more or less.
Gen. Burnley was something OF a
miser, and very little of soiGter. He
had gained his rank in the old days,
when war was less OF fine art than 1t
now is, and although he had fought
bravely in several campaigns, he was by
no means brilliant Considering his ex-
cellent pension and ample private means,
the cottage in which he dwelt, at the
very back of Oldport, was surprisingly
small. Its rooms were crammed with his
art treasures, the value of which must
have run we'll into five figures. Against
burglars the general was ever being
warned by his kind friends; but he heed
ed them not, being perfectly confident
of his ability to beat back any attack
that might be made upon his precious
curiosities. A grim old housekeeper, by
namt Mrs. Lazeby. looked after his do
nestle welfare, and she, with the as
sistance of a willing and industrious out
put from the Fletmouth orphanags,
did eXcellently we'll for Gen. Burnley,
who, although duly sensible of their eff
forts, never allowed their profane hands
to touch his treasures. He busted and
arranged and looked after those himself,
pottering around them the day long in q
seraphic state of mind
On this afternoon he welcomed Norah
with effusion She was a pretty girl, and
the old dilettante had not allowed his
taste in curios to spoil his taste for the
fair sex. With due solemnity he conduct
ed Norah into the room which contained
IfaT I11ah ri p hi
81 am glad to see you, my dear said
he, Familiarity, for he had known Norah
ever since she was q baby. Did they
tell you called this morning? They did.
It was about a Chinese idol, it was"
Norah produced the queer little image
from her pocket. Ct have brought it with
me, general It was Leenard's last gift
to me, and can't bear to part with
it. But 1 want the money, yes, want
it badly"
do you now, my dear? Well, I'll buy
it. It's a fine example Of Chinese work
1 shouldn't wonder If it came from the
summer palace, 1 shouldn't, indeed" and
the general, twisting and turning the
Boojum, eyed it with greedy pleasure.
What is the gods manner"
Its written here. 1t is-oh, I can't
read it. You must ask some one c;everer
than II
w CtiJ ANO1 c1llJ my ShtAO, Il SO0 VIII sci
it to me, I will give you thirty-five
pounds for 1t.
"It's worth more than that, general. -
TT is not Don't tell me. Gold? OF
course it's gold. But there, come now,
I'll give you forty. That's very hand
some"
Say fifty. general
mo, indeed. couldn't Forty, that is
every penny that it's worth
Norah moved restlessIy. well then,
general. you shall have it for forty on
one condition"
tAnd what's that?''
THAT you don't tell my mother sod
it to YOU
ST won't But Norah. my dear. IT'S
wrong to keep things from your mother
1t is. I hope you're doing nothing fool
ish with this money
General! want the money for Philip
He has come back here, poor, ragged.
Ny mother will not help him, she won't
even hear his name. And he wants TO
go to America and make a fresh start
and I want to give him this money.
you're good girl, Norah, good girl
And Philips young blackguard. He Is.