The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-02-02
CHAPTER vII.-continued.

and falling sock heels. She was think-
ing OF much weightier matters she
rave a chuckle OF unmistakabe triumph
say that again, my boy; say II again
II does one good after being snubbed ana
laid on the shelf for years lou ihean
e. don't you Tom?'
'Of course ! do. every word OF u,
said Tom kindly But you must not
talk OF baing laid on the shelf yet for
. great many years TO come. Mother
spillman. You have got plenty work TO
do In the world yet
''Oh. I'm not getting younger, ana III
not getting brighter. I'm willing TO go
when my time comes. But, Tom, I've
been wanting 10 talk with you, lad.
You're right. I've got work TO DO I've
been wanting TO say some things 10 you
that no one else could say as well or as
safely, things nobody else would dare TO
say SIT here on this hassock close py
my feet boy and try 10 use the trumpet
when you answer me. Then you won't
have to bawl so that they can hear you
al over the county
so far as l can see" said Tom, ex-
perimenting gently with the trumpet,
there's no one to hear us unless II Is
Miss Malvinas canary bird or that Old
red rooster yonder scratching up the
flower beds. Shall drive him away?"
She laid heavy hand on his shoulder.
'No; sit still Malvina will be coming
back presently, and she'd be in the way.
She leaned forward until her thin lips
almost touched his healthy pink ear.
Thomas, where is all OF your moth
sr's and your Aunt Lucetta's fine jew
elry?'
"Jewelry? Idont know. Mother
6pillman. didn't know they had any
They had thousands OF dollars worth
boy. They had diamonds and pearls and
Etruscan gold sets and canoes and the
dear knows what besides. Many time
when l. as a minister's wife. ought TO
have been frowning down such frivolities
have ] sat gloting over their beautiful
gems, real. works OF art that were kept
in one great lacauerware box when your
dear mother and aunt were alive. They
were a fortune In themselves. oh. thy
were dressers those two dear women Not
that thy ever overdid 1t, though. Where
10 that box now. Thomas?
Tom iaughted earnestly. II have not
the slightest idea. Mother Spillman. l
never heard OF the existence of all that
splendor before. ] suppose my father
would have put such things in bank
somewhere. am glad 20 know so
many pretty things are in waiting for
my future wife"
your future wife?'
why, yes OF course I am going
Spillman. You would not have me go
without?"
mo. Oh. no! But. Tom. about those
jewels" She was leaning toward him,
twisting her knotty fingers nervously
about each other. II remember one
especially beautiful pearl necklace Of
your Aunt Lucetta's. Your father brought
II to her from Paris. / don't suppose
there was another one like IL in the whole
la y. In
sette. with big opal in the center and
strings OF pearls on either side"
1T must have been very pretty. but
! never saw It," said Tom absentiy. The
necklace that had encircled Ollie's round
neck the night before had made no sep
arate impression upon him. He had seen
nothing but a pair OF lovely. laughing
eyes. rippling. yellow hair and sweet
smiles. He was thinking OF them now.
This accurate description OF his aunts
wonderful necklace suggested nothing to
him. Mother Spillman shook her head
impatiently. She did not want TO shock
him IL she could avoid IT, She just want
ed to open his eyes gradually.
And Thomas, the silver! My. what
q lot OF II you do own! There are few
young fellows who could start house
dear mother was proud OF her family
plate-siver tureens and great massive
pitchers and trays
Tom laughed geefuIly.
why. this Is getting 10 be quite in
teresting. feel like Cinderella in
trousers. with all my pumpkins turned
into Jewels and silver plate"
"Eh. Tom? Where is II all?''
II did not know OF its existence.
mother and Aunt Lu died father and |
lived very simply. ! was only when
he and I were left alone. and have
been or at school since l was II. l sup
pose all those things are In bank some
where. don't know much about my
affairs as yet"
But you are getting to be man now.
Thomas and you ought 10 be looking
after your own affairs. You ought TO
know what belongs 10 YOU There were
Inventories OF the jewels. even descrb-
ing the most valuable ones, and OF the
silver. know what am talking about,
Thomas. I ought 10. I helped your
dear mother make out those inventories.
You ought to know all this. Thomas"
The closing admonition of his father
unfinished letter flashed into his MEM
ory.
II suppose when the proper time comes
will. Mother Spillman. have been
too busy with my books up 10 date. But
Mr.. Matthew'S
Here ne received violent surprise. The
old woman laid her two hands on the
coat lapel nearest her and shook Il very
much after the fashion OF a terrier
pouncing on rat.
Don't trust everything 10 him, boy;
don't. I say"
my father trusted him." said Tom
right royalty Che flung the words at her
angrfly with help from the trumpeD
trusted him utterly and always. They
were like brothers From my earliest
childhood I have had Mr.. Mathews held
up to me az an exemplar. a man OF pro
bity and good judgement. You mus
not siander my guardian IN my presence
Mother spilman. ] can't allow II. Ex
cuse me II I seem rude"
81 see I see, lie has bewitched yor
AZ he bewitched your father before yo,
and sister before him. IN one should