The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-10-16
CHAPTER XIX.

Mrs. Methyen had to be summoned
from the house to gaze upon and ad-
mire his symmetry and his glossy
coat and afterwards Mr.. Methven
followed his wife. so the entire Meth
ven household were gathered in the
stable.
" e certainly's a beauty, sir" de-
-fared the second man" of the Meth
ven stable, and that's no lie. ELS
d thoroughbred, sure enough"
Isn't he the prettiest horse you
ever saw in your life?" Marine had
asked over and over again of each
member of the family. and that is
not ALL" she would add He's so
gentle and affectionate!'
''All of which is doubtless true"
assented Mr.. Methven. but never
theless, 1 prefer the house to the
stable. Let US go back"
So Marine babe farewell to her
treasure and she and Doris were
shortly on their way to the asylum.
This now occupied a fine new
building, the most of the funds for
whose erection had been given by
Mr.. Methven in thankfulness because
the old one had sheltered his child
for so many years.
Mrs. Weber, a bit gayer and trife
stouter than she had been when Mar
ME had seen her last, did not for a
moment recognize her former charge,
SO tall had the latter grown and so
changed was she. But as Marine held
out her hand and smiled her delight,
the matron remembered her and ex-
claimed:
'Why Marine, my dear girl, when
did you come home? And Doris too!
1t is a merry Christmas indeed, that
brings you back to us!"
There was not a thing the girls
related but what was of the greatest
interest to Mrs. Weber. Their school,
their travels, the sights they had
seen-all of these things were told
about to appreciative ears.
They had not been long at the asy-
lum. when Marine asked after Miss
Leavitt and Bertha Baker.
81 am expecting Miss Leavitt
every minute. She promised to help
me with the tree" said Mrs. Weber
Bertha is still with US. Shall I call
herr"
Eyes, please. Doris and 1 are both
anxious to see her. We have a little
present for her. We have also
something for you and Miss Leavitt
Those we brought with us, but
Bertha's was too heavy. We were
going to ask if Bertha could not come
with us when we go. We wanted
to walk over. but the carriage will
be here to take us back
ct was very sweet and thought
full of you to remember u.s." said thu
matron, land l am sure we will al
appreciate it very much. could no
think of keeping Bertha in if yol
want her to go home with you I
will do her ever so much good
After Mrs. Weber had sent 70
Bertha, Marine handed the matron
small package. On removing tn
wrapper, a handsome leather cas-
was disclosed and within was a mini
ature portrait on ivory of Napoleon
set in golden frame.
Doris thought of Napoleon, sal
Marine as Mrs. Weber cried out i
delight at sight of the exquisite thing
''She remembered you were such a,
admirer of Napoleon and we searche
all over Florence, looking at engrav
ings and paintings and statuettes, be
fore we found anything that suite
u.s."
The miniature was in truth a rar
one, and worth quite small forum
as a work of art. It was evidentl
taken from life and bore a date tha
indicated it had been executed Will
the great emperor's fortunes an
triumphs were at their height.
For Miss Leavitt. who arrive
while Mrs. Weber was admiring he
gift. there was pair of beautifl
l candle-stick. (ancient things pickle
up in Vienna) and Miss eLavitt, b,
ing fond of rare antiques, but at 4
time able to crafty her love for tn
costly treasurers, was enthusiast
over them.
Bertha Baker was perhaps the mo-
highly pleased of all. In the fir
3 place, she was so overjoyed at seem
8 Marine once more that, if Marine g,
up from her chair and walked aero
the floor, Bertha would prop herse
L on her crutch and follow her uncol
u sciously. He eyes scarcely left Ma