The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1903-12-25
CHAPTER I.


AFTER prosperous but wearisome
Voyage, we came at last into Havre.
immediately on landing, squeezing
myself through the crowd, I went
into tie nearest inn. 1 asked for the
address Of Mr.. Thomas John. describ-
ed as being "by the north gate. the
first country house to the right.
large new house Of red and white
marble with many pillars" AS the
day was not yet far advanced, l I'M
tied my bundle, took out my black
coat. dressed myself in my best and.
with my letter of recommendation
set out for the man who was to as
sist me In my wishes.
Proceeding up the street. reached
the gate, and saw the marble columns
glittering through the trees. Having
wiped the dust from my shoes with
my OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. and read
justed my cravat. I rang the bell
Offering up silent prayer. The door
few open, and the porter sent in my
name l was soon invited into the
park, where Mr. John was walking
with friends. I recognized him at
once by his corpulency and self
complacent air. He received me very
well--,ist as rich man receives
poor devil; and turning to me. took
my letter. ooh, from my brother!
It is long time since l heard from
him; is he well?-Yonder." he went
on-autrning to the company. and
pointing to hill-"Yonder Is the site
of the new building" He broke the
seal without disseminating the con-
versation. which turned upon riches.
"The man." he said, who does not
possess at least n million is n poor
wretch" ooh, how true"' l exclaim-
ed, in the fullness OF my heart. He
seemed pleased at this, and replied
with a smile, "Stop here, my dear
friend: afterwards 1 shall. perhaps.
OF this" pointing to the letter. Of
fering his arm to young lady. his
example was followed by the other
gentlemen. the whole party proceed
ing toward a hill planted with roses
followed. None took the least
notice of me. The party was In high
spirits. I was too ignorant of what
they fwere talking about to under
stand. too anxious in my own re-
Elections to occupy myself with the
solution.
by this time we had reached the
thicket OF roses. Lovely Fanny. who
was the queen of the day. was obsti-
nately bent on plucklng a rose-branch
for herself In the attempt she prick
ID her finger with a thorn. The Grim
son stream, as II flowing from the
dark2tinted rose, tinged her fair hand
with th3 purple current. This cir
cumstafbe set the company in COM
motion; court-plaster was called for.
A quiet. elderly man Immediately put
his hand into the ast-pocket OF his
old fashioned coat OF grey sarsnet.
pulled out a letter-case, and. with a
most respectful bow, presented the
lady with the wished-for article. She
received 1t without noticing the giver.
or thanking him. The wound was
bout up, and the party proceeded
along the hill. from which they en-
5oyed an extensive view across the
green labyrinth of the park to the
wide-spreading ocean. The vista was
magnificent. A slight speck was OBJ
served on the horizon. between the
dark flood and the azure sky. "A
telescope" called out Mr.. John: but
before any of the servants could re-
spond. the grey man, with n modest
bow, drew his hand from his pocket,
and presented beautiful Dollond's
telescope to Mr. John. who. on look
ing through 1t, Informed the COM
pany that the speck was the ship
which had sailed yesterday, detained
within sight OF the haven by con-
trary winds. The telescope passed
from hand to hand. but was not re-
turned to the owner, whom I gazed
Mt with astonishment. could moi
conceive how 80 large an instrument
could have proceeded from so small
n pocket. This, however, seemed to