Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1910-06-14

circumstances. ! tell you he will come
back to his old home, and"-the old
desk hesitated-'T may as well divulge
the secret / have kept so faithfully
and so long. How often have | trem-
bled lest some vagrant would steal me
and carry me away before Paul came
l look terribly dilapidated, and / lean
against the wall on purpose to add to
that impression. Who would want an
old broken piece Of furniture, with
only three cracked feet and no lock
or key? And yet there is drawer,
shut with spring, in which Rene de
Longe deposited large sum Of money
and valuable papers. deeds and titles.
which will make Paul wealthy man
when he finally discovers them. as he
surely will"
You gladden. and rejoice mel" said
the old sugar house, excitedly. IF, as
you predict, Paul and his mother will
again know days of prosperity and
will come back to live in their former
estate, would wish that some hurri-
cane would hurl off my roof. that these
walls would topple and fall, and that
MOSES and wild vines would In time
cover me and beautify my ruins"
"A strange tale" said the old clock,
but l am glad. remember now how
Rene, in the late watches of one night,
that last grinding season, wrote at
his desk and put away package and
papers. You have kept your secret
we'll"
The front door opened and stran-
ger entered. He was tall and slim, and
his hair was tinged with gray. His
features were handsome, but his face
was careworn and melancholy He
wore rough clothing, for he was head
sugar maker in the Watson refinery
close by and had been hard at work
preparing for the coming grinding.
The stranger came into the small
Office and gazed around.
Just as l remembered 1t. The great
clock which licked so joyously and the
old desk which he said he gave me.
He said l must take great care of it.
had forgotten it and have been neg
lectful. l will take it with me to re-
mind me of the sweet old days of my
childhood"
The sugar house was breathless
with anguished delight.
1T is Paul! 1t is Paul, He has
come. The old desk was right" whis-
pered the spirits of the past, fitting
joyously through the somber old pile.
May Providence guide hin!" whis-
pered the sugar house. in voiceless
agony of suspense.
Approaching the old desk, Paul
opened it and looked into the empty
drawer. The jar shook 1t, and with
heavy lurch 1t fell, striking the floor
heavily. The old mahogany split and
a drawer few open.
With an exclamation Paul stopped
and gathered up its contents.
Pale and with a shaking hand he
looked long at the money and the title
deeds.
Too late" he said. with keenest sor-
row. TOO late, little mother! You
are gone, and your hope was never
realized"
Thrusting them in his pocket, Paul
de Longe, head sugar maker of the
Watson refinery, passed out of the old
sugar house and went back to work.
A tramp crept under the abandoned
shed that night and. lighting fire of
the rotting wood, went to sleep. He
awoke to the roar of flames and fed
hurriedly
II am glad, l rejoice! Ho for the
devouring flames! Fan them. We winds
of the night" cried the old sugar
house. excitedly.
The roof crashed in and the walls
toppled, crushing the turbines, and the
great rusty open kettles, and the boil
er, and the mill with all its once rest
less machinery. which did its work so
we'll. and piled up great fortune for
their master and owner.
1T was famous in its day. Some
tramp must have set 1t on fire." said
Joe Watson. his hands in his pockets.
watching the leaping flames.
Yes, 1t was fine sugar house In
its day" said Paul de Longe. who
stood by his side.-Sew Orleans Times
Democrat