Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-24
CHAPTER XVIII.
Phil Meets an Acquaintance.

The evening that Dr. Blackhart left
Easton, Phil was at home arranging the
collection Of stones which he was making,
In a little cupboard that he had contrived
for that purpose. 1t was only an old pack
ing box but he had fitted it with shelves
and put on door with lock that kept at
bay the small but mischievous fingers Of
the little Irwins
1t had been finished only the day before,
and great was Pills pride in it, and in his
minerals. AS he arranged them with labels
telling where the specimens had been
found, Mr.. Irwin came In to chat with him,
as he sometimes did in the evening, and
one of the children followed him into the
room.
The little one slipped from her fathers
knee after sitting quiet for few minutes
and began to poke her tiny nose, inquistiye
that of fox terrier, into the bureau
drawer that Phil had left open. In vain
Phil tried to entice the child away from
the fascinating employment; she refused to
stir. until every nook had been searched,
every bundle opened and every box emp
tied of its contents.
Having satisfied herself she jumped from
the chair upon which she had been stand
ing and ran away to her mother. Present
ly her father followerd and the boy was
left in peace to complete his work. Just
came into the room again.
Here's one of the stones that ma said
the kid brought out there to her. Didn't
know you had any such specimen that
in your collection. 1t looks like an anne
thyst, but perhaps it's a moss agate. I'm
not much on such things myself"
"Oh. wouldn't have lost that for any
thing. Nettie must have taken it out of my
bureau drawer. / found it among mothers
things after she died"
We'll, you mustn't let her get into your
trinkets. if you don't want them upset;
she's master hand at that"
Phil had almost forgotten the stone, but
now he looked at it long and earnestly.
What If it were Of some value. could he
sell it without his fathers permission?
Then his thoughts wandered off to that
father who had been so strangely silent
for months For not one word had he
heard since the letter he had written him
about his mothers death. Was he angry
with his son-or i'll in that far-off land?
The boy asked himself those questions
many times. Then his thoughts reverted
to the stone and he again wondered If 1t
were valuable.
Il will take it to the village tomorrow
when I am through work." he thought,
and show it to the jeweler there. What
when he was here. TIL sell it If possible.
for 1 am bound to go to school this winter
if / can manage 1t any way
He carried the stone to his work in the
bayfield, the next day, and in the evening
went directly from the Lodge to Easton.
He laid 1t on the counter. "A very pretty
thing said the jeweler. mo. 1 cannot
tell just what it is. or its value
Don't you want to buy it?'
mo, l couldn't use it, my boy: you'd
better take it home, and be careful of it.
1t may be valuable, but don't say that it
is"
Easton brought to the village Bernard Lee
mand, who came in response to the letter
that Dr. Blackhart had written him.
Claiming a bicycle from the baggage
to his friends office. He found the door
locked and there was no response to his
loud rappirgs. He turned over the slate
that now hung outside and read the mes
sage oil it. Gone to Canada"
+ What does this mean?" he asked g.
passerby.
We'll I reckon 1t means that he didn't
care to testify in court, for fear he'd give
himself away"
How so?'
You must be a stranger around mere
If you don't know that Blackhart's a ras-
cal. He's We'll named. There was an
subpoena for this doctor-as he calls him.
self. He said he guessed II Blackhart was
ever a witness he'd go to the pen himself,
instead Of the man they were going to try
for the crime
Who was he?" asked Bernard.
don't know. There was another one
In the case-a young chap-who was to be
tried with this man, but he was missing
when wanted. The officer said he heard
that he had been seen here; but he said
neither one could be convicted without
Biackharts testimony. and he didn't be-
lieve BAckhart would convict anybody
put himseif,. and likely he's never be seen
here again"
Bernard rode away without another
word II wonder If he sent for me- so
I'd be nabbed-the wretch!" thought he
"These parts are unhealthy for me 7
find"
After light supper at the hotel, he
again mounted his wheel, and started
toward the Lodge. Instead of following
the main road however. he turned north
half a mile from town. intending to an
proach the house from that direction He
hoped to see Cover or some one from whom
he could gain information that would be of
advantage to himself.
Coming down the road he unexpectedlv
found himself near the cabin Nose sat
on the step smoking, his dog asleep.-with
one eye open-at his feet. Fits antipathy
rose to attack ~
Fits; come here. yo' good-fur-nuffin.' ~
shouted his master.
Hearing the dogs name. Bernard paused.
stantly surmised who his master was.
HeiIo! he called. Can you tell me
how far 1t is to Easton from here?'
,, "A mile an er hat. eff yo' go down de
I
ef yo' yo' go back an take de west road.
an eff yo take de west road hat er mile
den turn souf to de main an follow dat.
two miles"
Thanks. my friend Mr.. Montjoy live.
In the mansion, 1 believer
Yes
There has been young gentleman stay
ing there?"
"Dey Eas-Mr. Dupre he calls hisself-
| but l dunno eff dats his name A man
whatll change an ole bogus ring for a real
one dat blongs TO an ole lady too could
change his name easy nuff"
Did he do that2
Didn't get chance" chuckled Nose.
But ~e Montjoy's dun 'spected he " . er
Swlne TO: for de gentleman from de civ
toie m he'd made ring like de ole lady's.
ana dey Is er-layln' fur dat fellow"
wen, ira la. said Bernard, and in an in
slant he was spinning down the road mt.
tering to himself, These parts are un-
healthy for me-
He turned south to the main road as Nose
| had told him he could. and to his SURPRISE
met Phil. His first impulse was to turn
| back. but the boy had seen and -recoenizet,
him and called out, How do you do. ME-
| Dupre?" W. 49,
The pleasure with which he preeted him
| left no doubt In his mind that the bow was
| ignorant Of the true history of the rings
| He was right in his surmise, for Phil had
not seen his playmate since the day Of the
party.
You've just come from the Lodger'