The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1905-04-08
CHAprER W.

/ appear hereafter.
CHAPTER XXI
/ Between six and seven o'clock on the
next evening, an elderly man. dressed
/ like a gentleman farmer, hastily entered
the shop OF picture dealer. situated in
the West End, and asked, in a nervous,
impatient manner. to inspect some very
pretty watercOlor drawings that were In
the window. The shopman produced
them. Instead. however. OF examining
the picture itself. the gentleman seemed
chiefly interested in the back OF IT, II
was growing dusk. and he carried the
picture to the door and carefully exam
med the blank surface at the back. In
one corner was family inscribed in pen
ell the word Clara"
With an exclamation Of pleasure. and
a frightened face, he went back to the
counter. and asked the shopman for the
address OF the painter. The young man
hesitated. Il beg pardon, sir" he said:
but il 10 not usual to give the addresses
OF the ladies and gentlemen who work
for US without their permission"
Let me see your master" said the
gentleman, sharply.
In few minutes the principal himself
came forward.
Il wish to purchase all the drawings
you have by this artist, and at the same
time to be favored with her address
am not asking this for the qualification
OF IDLE curiosity. The lady believe to
be very near and dear member OF my
family, whom | have lost sight OF for
several ysars-whOm I believed to be
dead. Five days ago | was looking In
at the window OF a picture dealers Ia
the Strand. when I saw exposed for sale
a watsr-eolOr painting. representing my
own cottage down in Suffolk | have
just such . picture at home. and there
was q pScuharity Of touch about this
one that led me 70 believe, wild a. the
thought seemed then. that both were the
work Of one hand. | went into the shop.
and purchased the picture. I was not
deceived. Inscribed In a corner at the
back was the word Clara But the
salesman could give me no information
about the artist; they had bought II
about two years sgo with several Others.
OF young girl whom they had never
seen since. My nephew dinst with me
that day. and | told him Of the eircum
stance He at once requested the affair
10 Be left In his hands. He came to nv
hotel last night to tell me that he had
inquired, and caused others to inquire, Of
every likely picture dealer, but had not
met with the slightest success. As this
was my last day IN the city I thought
l would take look round the picture
shops myself. have been about all
day. and was just about TO give up my
search in despair when | caught sight
OF these. thought they looked like her
work. and, sure enough. here IL her sig
nature In the corner. Yet. stay a mo-
meut; to make assurance doubly sure. |
viii show you her likeness. painted sams
siN years ago. You will be then able to
tell me whether 1t IS the same"
He produced the Identical miniature
that SIlas had found In Little Betbls-
hem, and which, it will be remembered.
he had left in a pocket Of the clothes
deposited with Mr.. Jonathan Rodweu.
The Bhopkseper hesitated no longer. |
but at Once handed over to him the re- |
quired address. The gentleman purcbas-
ed the pictures at a very handsome price
got Into a cab that the shop boy had |
fetched for him. and drove away in /
the direction Of the northwest.
He arrived at Mrs. Wilson's about 3
Q. clock, and knocked at the door. TIE
his Inquiries, the servant replied. Miss
Clara has gone with missis to the play
house and l do not expect she will be
home until late"
Does she frequent places Of amuss-
msnt muchf Is she often out OF an
svsningT'
"oh. dear no; this Ia the first time I
have ever known her to go; she Is never
put late"
"How unfOrtunatsl But I must see
her tonight, at whatever hour she may
return. ! will come back At twelve"
Mary looked very much astonished At
he Idea Of such q late visit. Mr. Jona.
han HodWell ordered the cabman TO
irlye to the nearest hotel where be en-.
ragged bed and waited impatIsntly the
passing away Of time.
At u O'Clock he knocked again at
Mrs Wilson's door. They had not re-
.urned. Would Mary permit him 10
,oine In and wait r Mary did not like
he Idea Of admitting a stranger At such
IA hour, and she alone In the house.
But he looks a gentleman" she thought.
and be IL old enough to be my father"
Don't be afraid: am not a burglar.
ny dear said Mr.. Jonathan. smiling
md slipping a coin into her hand.
n" walked into the psrlor, and Mar
u me lamp One o'clock By his watch.
Ind Stil they had not come. He was
rowing uneasy; he could not sit still.
10 walked uD and down the room with
lis watch in bis hand. counting the min.
ite"' The rumble Of wheels at last.
lie ran out to the door: the night was
lark be could not perceive any object:
'ut faster and faster. nearer and nearer.
'ame the roll Of the wheels, until they
topped before the house.
FaVW /