The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1909-04-13
The Norwell Treasure.
HIHY, it's absolutely absurd. Mr.,

the book it must be in the house some.
where. She has had no opportunity to
dispose of it,"
Robert Barrie, Scotchman, had tried
hard to keep his temper through this
interview with young Sprague for
many reasons. One of them was his
suspicion that Sprague loved his daugh-
ter Marian, the very apple of his eye.
Another was his respect for Sprague
himself, and perhans the strongest of
all his boast that Lc never let his tenn
per master him.
This occasion, however, was too much.
To be told by young "whipper-snap-
per" that he ought to be ashamed of
anything was not to be tolerated. Be-
sides, Sprague evidently did not know
that the book had been found in the
house OF his aunt. Barbara Myles. He
turned on his Caller, purple anger
mounting to his forehead, and shouted:
Eyes, l can see that the book must of
step nearer and added: "And it was
found there this morning. Here it is
now"
And he held out the priceless copy OF
1zaak Walton that had long been the
pride of Norwell. Sprague turned
whitt'lnd seemed about to fall. Found
in my aunt's house, you say?" he fall
tered.
Aye answered Barrie. "Now, can
you deny she stole it? Who else knew
more of its value? Who else had
chance to steal it? Didn't she tell Miss
Timmins it would sell for at least $500,
and she knew where she could use the
money we'll? l don't know that she
hasn't used her position as librarian TO
steal other books. Heaven knows where
she got any money to send to you at
college. l shall call a meeting of the
library trustees at once and see if they
will not agree with me to prosecute her
to the extent of the law. And now,
don't you step over my threshold again
so long as you live. don't want any
thing to do with your breed of thieves,
either you or your
Sprague took a sudden step and
tackled" Barrie as ne had many a
time tackled running half-back at
football practice. barrie fell heavily
and looked half afraid up into the stern
young face above him.
Now, get up" said Sprague, "and if
you ever say another word against my
aunt in my presence Tll-I'll give you
another lesson in football tricks of the
goal-kicking description" be finished,
half smiling to himself.
Only the morning. before this inter-
view the town of Norwell had been
thrown into a spasm of excitement by
the news that "our book" had been
stolen. When Peter Hackett died he d.
vided his really notable library among
the public libraries of his native state,
and to Norwell fell his fa1.,us Walton,
the object of many bookworm's pill /
to his library. Its bcquest
was hedged about by many conditions,
the foremost of which was the solemn
injunction that under no circum-
stances was it to be removed from the
library.
1t was this particular condition which
caused Barbara Myles to experience a
continual expressing sense of RESPONSE
'ility. The Walton was never absent
rom her mind when she visited its rest
ng place in the library a.dozen times
lay.
Beyond the slender salary which came
rom her position she had little except
IN unusual education and the biblo-
'hllc's love of books. John Sprague
vas her only relative and she loved him
With the love of mother. Robert Bar
lie, bringing her the quarters salary,
lis daughter Marian, and of late &C.
entric Job Doyle comprised the list of
Ter Norwell callers.
Young Sprague repaid her love and
acrfice with almost the devotion of
over. He knew the story of the extra
done for the big city IL
rary that he might complete his col
eye course. His love for Marian Bar
le, too, was no secret from his gentle
title aunt, and she fed him, hungry for
ews of his sweetheart, with constant
atters.
She herself had discovered the loss
nd reported it to the chairman of
rustees, Robert Barrie, with fear and
rembling. He had told the village con-
table, and that Sherlock Holmes. be-
lg told the remark made to Miss Tim
ms about the value of the Walton.
arrested Barbara Myles.
John Sprague left the house realizing
rat probably his love dream was over
'r good and all, but not sorry. on the
hole, that he had defended his aunt's
ood name in such summary fashion.
The news Of the finding of the book
ag2ered him and he sought to ex-
ain it to himself, never once depart
g from his stout belief in his aupt's
onesty. On his way to her house.
here she was confined in the absence
a more suitable jail, he met Job
oyle. Job was as eccentric and alb
nt-minded as Pudd'n' Head Wilson.
ID withal bookworm of the wormiest
nd. This morning he was full of the
lsslng book and as indignant as
prague himself at the turn affairs had
ken.
John, my son." said he, "what
Iddle-headed piece of business is this?
| could get hold of that constable I
'lieve I'd cane him; do. Why, the
ol, to think Barbara mean Miss