Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-07-21

Martin. but wondered at the chang.
sorrow had wrought in the once beau
tiful face OF his hostess"
III was all accidental. Mrs. Martin
! really did nothing in the matter: hui
! am really glad that | came TO Port
iand and fell into the hands of sharpers
as IL mas turned out. Ii has made me
sharper; IL has Knocked some of the
concert out OF me, and has made three
persons very happy | see" said Ned as
ne looked AT the reunited family
Ned wondered also at the change he
saw In the little girl There was the
olrthmark. and the general form and
feature. out the frightened and care
worn expression were gone. and her
ssu looking eyes were now sparkling
win delight. Her ragged and soiled
riothes had been replaced by new ones.
rlch ana elegant; IL seemed hardly
bosSlDle that such a change could be
wrought in so short time.
Ned stayed TO tea. and such a table
ne never sat down TO before. he had
never seen so many silver dishes so
much cut glass. or partook of such a
sumptuous feast
How long viii Won remain i'm the
city? asked Mrs. Martin after they
hsd returned 10 the parlor.
go home tomorrow said Ned
thought You were 10 stoD here a
week. said Mr. Martin.
so ] expected when T came" but
You have helped me 10 dispose of my
goods and have shown me tho whole
CITY ~ your turn, SO my work IS done
and me dealers are anxious for tho
noon poles and sDoonhunts. respond
ed Ned
DO not let him go tomorrow" said
Yrs Martin let MS an 20 down the
Rav. and let him see what the salt wa
ter is like"
That we Will" said Mr.. Martin.
viii YOU stay another day"
Do stay said the little girl
So Ned promised
Now | must thank YOU. little girl
for your thOughtfulness i'm saving mo o
said Ned. you really did something !
II II had not been for your letter LEI
down BY that string. should have
been victim OF sharpers. Did they
mistrust you
DO not know" said the girl they
round you We're gone about midnight.
there was quite an excitement i'm the
house they did not take the trouble
20 come up into the garrett 10 get mo
)ut thinking you would inform the no
Ice or the character OF the house thov
made themselves scarce and had not
One back 10 release me. before my
ather and the police came"
They have not been seen ." ronlied
lr- Martin. and viii probably never
~ seen here again As near AS can
make ont they took the child hopine
or great reward. When / offered ,
GOO they evidently thought some
inc 20 get more, as they knew mo 10
. very wealthy. They had never been
pie 10 safely return the child. and get
ven that reward. II seerps that the
Mid has been away from the city nm
y recently in charge OF that woman ;
no is intimately connected with vour d
ergyman friend who is "A notorious
lief and confidence man. as You al u
lady know ! think they were intend n
lg 10 get the reward very soon as o
icy brought the child back to the
tv." r.
i should have thought they would a
ave taken the child with them after a
Iey found ! was gone" said Ned n
lhey fastened the door leading m II
e garnet. They evidently thought
best not 10 take her out until tbev CO
W the result OF your escape They
some one in their employ. without So
ubt kept watch OF the movements OF m
e police. replied Mr. Martin. to
Ned returned TO the hotel for the fe
sht and next day with his new n
ends, took a delightful trim down ds
e bay in steam yacht. which no re
sged TO Mr. Martin To Ned il was oil
day OF unalloyed pleasure. On their IN
turn. as they passed the hotel. Ned Of
de his friends goodbye as he de- an
red his intention of returning home di!
the morrow, by an early train JIM
God bless you. my boy" said Mr. vi
lrtn. Il shall never lose sight NJ
4 and OF your prosperity" mi
Good bye ALL" said Ned hi
rs Ned went up to his room that
INT. the clerk handed him paner
was receipted bill for board paid PEI
Mr.. Martin.
CHAPTER XIX.
Which Ned's Parents are Puzzled
nave just IcCtlNeu an express
kage from someone. on which the al
lie 81 900" is marked" said Mr. CO.,
kson to his wife, one afternoon as e.,
came in from the village. :.
The value is a Joke, OF cour,e" b..
his wife. were you expecting ,ba
thiRg?" ~ 10
Nothing that know Of" said Mr. 60
kson %"
Who do you suppose IL is from? ?" "
tinued his wife.
do not know" responded Mr. cIes
kson.' as he began to scrutinize
package closely. Here is Port nv
d express Office marked n it," he vea
after looking az partly -
ced stamp hon
Then 1t must be from Ned" said "'
Jackson dra,
Il Is not his writing" responded 81
father. soid
-: he could not send 81 geo on
er, said his mother. -
nor is he one To joke his parents" nile
MS father as he looked at tho 'v