Los Angeles herald., 1910-09-11

"Oh, is 1t really your sne SAID as
he came to her. Are you really my
cousin Carl?"
"Yes. Vivian. I came to see your
father year ago, and it was then that
we met" replied Carlton.
Then Vivian told Carlton that she
had been stolen from her home one
month ago by a wicked woman, ana
that the woman came to see her once
a week and brought her food, and Carl
ton told Vivian that he was on his
way to see her father. So, when 1t
stopped raining and when the sun
came out. the children sctarted for
Vivian's home.
When they got there Carlton told
Vivian to wait outside until he came
back and got her. Then Carlton went
into his Cousins house, and when he
found his uncle crying he said:
"Uncle Jaspar, why are you so
sad?"
Because Vivian has been stolen
from me-" his uncle replied.
"What would you give to get her
back?" asked Carlton.
"A thousand dollars" said Uncle
Jasper.
every WELL" said Carlton, and he
went out and got Vivian.
Then Cartons Uncle Jasper gave
the boy the money, and also sent Carl
ton home in a coach, telling him to
bring his father and mother to live
with him. Cartons father soon got
we'll and every one was happy. Your
niece, MADELINE EVANS
Palms, Cal. R, f. D., Box 1876. Age
13; grade Z.
There in the middle OF the room sat
two men, talking earnestly together.
now and then picking up paper,
pointing and nodding their heads. At
last one whose face Carlton had not
seen, rose and crossed over to the
brick chimney in the corner, He took
out a couple of loose bricks, which left
a large hole in the wall. AS he re-
turned to his seat Carlton caught sight
of his face, and a cry almost escaped
his lips.
The man was his uncle, the very man
whom he wanted to borrow the money
from. Carlton watched intently as
they put the papers in tin box, and
hid it in the hole his uncle had made.
Replacing the bricks, the two men
buttoned their coats closer, put out the
light and left the lonely hut. AS they
passed along the side of the hut they
paused in front of Carlton to light
a cigar, but the rain continually put
it out.
"You see, Preston" remarked the
uncle, as they stopped, Laura is not
really my sister. Father only adopted
her: but, of course, she was called
stockton and father grew fond of her
and left half the money to her. But
she didn't get it, thanks to you and
me- I am the son. and it is right that
I should inherit all. Those forged pa
pers and the real will are safe in the
hut until we come again. Father mas
been dead almost year, and the talk
Of her being left out of his will has
blown over, A smart game we played,
Preston, a smart game
Carlton crouched where he hid in
dazed wonder as they passed on. He
was only a 12-year-old boy but he
understood the meaning OF those
words. He ran swiftly around to the
door. He stumbled blindly to the table
and felt for the lamp. and beside it
the matches. With trembling hands he
lit the lamp. His heart beat wildly. as
he drew from it's hiding place the tin
box. without looking in it he quickly
blew out the lamp and rushed from
the house. He did not notice how Bit
terly the rain beat against his face,
for his only thought was to get home.
His mother was kneeling beside the
bed of her husband when Carlton en-
tered dripping wet. She rose and came
forward eagerly, but before she could
say word he had rushed headlong
into his story. There was happiness
in Cartons bare, desolate home that
night.
In the morning Mrs. Falkner visited
a lawyer, taking the tin box which
contained the papers. Slowly Carlton
repeated. all he could of what his
uncle had said.
One month later Mrs. Falkner re-
ceived her part of the will, with which
she bought a neat little cottage and
sent Carlton to school.
eff it were not for my brave boy
we would still be poverty stricken"
she said smiling into his upturned
face.
"At first when the storm began l
was going to turn back he cried,
"but / think it was mighty lucky
went on"
And his mother thought so too.
ALICE SWANSON,
L. B. 1862, Ell Centre, Cal, grade 8.
Were this story shorter it might
have received a prize. as it is very
good. But you could have told it much
more concisely, and it would be well