Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1905-05-13
CHAPTER XXI.

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 a picture dealer, situated IN
the West End, and asked, in nervous
impatient manner to inspect some very |
pretty water-color 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. 1t
was growing dusk, and he carried the
picture to the door and carefully exam
ined the blank surface at the back. In
one corner was family inscribed IN pen
ell the word "Clara."
With an exclamation Of pleasure. ana
a frightened face. he went back to the
counter and asked the shopman for the
address Of the painter The young man
hesitated. II beg pardon. sir" he said;
but it is 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 a few minutes the principal himself
came forward.
81 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 years-whom l believed to be
dead. Five days ago l was looking in
at the window OF a picture dealers IN
the Strand when l saw exposed for sale
a water-color painting, representing my
own cottage down in Suffolk. l have
lust such a picture at home, and there
was a popularity OF touch about this
one that led me to believe, wild as the
thought seemed then, that both were the
work Of one hand. l went into the shop,
and purchased the picture. / 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 1t
about two years ago, with several Others
OF young girl whom they had never
seen since My nephew dined with me
that day, and | told him of the circnm-
stance. He at once requested the affair
to be left in his hands. He came to my
hotel last night to tell me that he had
incurred 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 l thought
l would take a look round the picture
shops myself. l have been about all
day, and was just about to give up my
search in despair when | caught sight
of these. l thought they looked like her
work, and, sure enough, here is her sig
nature in the corner. Yet, stay a mo-
ment; to make assurance doubly sure,
will show you her likeness, painted some
six years ago You will be then able tc
> tell me whether ii is the same
: He produced the identical miniature
that Silas had found In Little Bethle
hem, and which. 1t will be remembered
. he had left in a pocket of the clothei
T deposited with Mr.. Jonathan Rodwell.
The shopkeeper hesitated no longer
but at once handed over TO him the re
= quired address. The gentleman purchas
: ed the pictures at a very handsome price
j got into a cab that the shop boy haC
fetched for him, and drove away il
r the direction Of the northwest.
: He arrived at Mrs Wilson's about
: o'clock, and knocked at the door tt
his inquiries, the servant replied Mis-
o Clara has gone with missis to the play
| house, ana L 40 not expect she VIII ID
u home until late"
, Does she frequent places of amuse
g ment much7 Is she often out Of a
EVENING"
II "Oh, dear no; this is the first time
q have ever known her to 90; she is neve
II out late"
How unfortunate! But l must sc
!. her tonight, at whatever hour she ma
L return. l will come back at twelve"
Mary looked very much astonished q
the idea OF such late visit. Mr.. joins
% than Rodwell ordered the cabman I
I. drive to the nearest hotel, where he Ell
= gagged a bed aud waited impatiently tn
y passing away of time.
d. At u o'clock he knocked again
AZ Mrs. Wilson's door. They had not r,
H. turned. Would Mary permit him I
lie come in and waltz Mary did not lik
- the idea Of admitting a stranger at sue
ID an hour, and she alone in the hous
er But he looks a gentleman" she though
III land he is old enough to be my father
e. Don't be afraid l am not burgla
el my dear" said Mr.. Jonathan, smilin
+ and slipping coin into her hand.
II He walked into the parlor, and MAJ
lie lit the lamp. One o'clock by his watc
I'll and still they had not come. He WI
AT growing uneasy; he could not sit still
ne he walked up and down the room, wit
q, his watch in his hand, counting the mi
Ut utes. The rumble of wheels at Lar
He ran out to the door; the night WI
IN dark; he could not perceive any objec
r. but faster and faster, nearer and neart
IT, came the roll Of the wheels, until tn
10 | stODDpd before the house