The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1911-09-21
An Inheritance
From the Sea

Levy, the usurer. was implacable,
and Gerald Archer put down the letter
with sigh. There was another letter
besides. but that was very unsatis-
factory. too, and Gerald's face looked
rather worried as he turned it to-
wards his young wife. who just
came in.
Any news today. Gerald?"
Nothing but letter from Levy.
who Is very unreasonable. He gives
me until next Wednesday. but I am
AFRAID can no more pay him the
$4,000 on Wednesday than l can to-
day." Gerald replied sadly.
But can't you get the $1,000 for
the picture Johnson is to sell for
your"
mo. he just writes me today that
the customers won't pay more than
$3.50. 1t really looks as II one can
get money only from the usurers,"
said Gerald. handing the other letter
to his wife.
We'll. don't give up, anyway. 1t will
all come out all right"
At this moment the patter OF little
feet was heard outside. the door was
thrown open and two fair-haired chill
dren came rushing toward their IA
Their. Gerald picked them up. placed
one on each knee and the next mo-
ment all his melancholy had flown.
When the door of the studio had
closed behind them and Gerald faced
his work again. the worries came
back and prevented him from work
Ing.
He stopped at the big window over
looking the garden and the Long Is
land hills in the distance. Five years
ago Gerald had built the little studio
bungalow which had grown so dear to
his heart. and now 1t looked as II he
must lose 1t. The Ave years he had
spent at Freeport had been the hap
piest in his life, until he had been
tempted to try hier in stocks. The
venture failed and he negotiated a
| loan from Levy to cover his margins,
only to lose the whole amount any
| way.
The more Gerald thought over the
situation. the more impossible 1t
seemed to find way out and throw
ing aside his brushes he put on his
hat and went for long walk along
the shore road. Three hours walk
brought him to the narrow strip OF
sand stretching towards Long Beach
where he and the seagulls were the
only living beings. The beach was
covered with all kinds of flotsam
thrown ashore by the tide and left
stranded by the receding waves.
Among all this Gerald's eyes suddenly
struck something that looked like an
old bag half buried in the sand Me-
chemically he began to dig 1t out and
saw that it really was a heavy oil
cloth bag tightly tied with stout whip
cord. He ripped 1t open with his peck
ct knife and found inside belt
with a heavy brass buckle and with a
number of pockets. He opened one
Of these and would hardly believe his
own eyes when he found 1t flied with
$40 gold pieces. He quickly wrapped
1t up In the oilskin and started home
wards.
! AAC WCAI lHSluC, ulO MD Ouuilc
the hall closet and opened the door
of the studio. His wife jumped up,
the worried expression disappeared
from her face and she said cheer.ully:
Il am so glad you came back. Ger
aid; have you been looking for mo-
tives?"
Yes. dear, and hope I have found
something good" Gerald replied,
throwing himself into an easy chair
Il just want cup of tea." he added
as he filled his pipe. then l will go
down to the bank and ask old Win
ters to come and take dinner with US.
The dinner was a great success, al.
selves up in the studio until the soup
was nearly cold.
I'VE will take the coffee and cigars
In the studio. Beatrice" said Gerald
and we should like to have your
company. I'VE won't talk a bit about
business. We have a little examina.
ton to make"
Il do not know what you mean. Ger.
add"
You will soon see. DEAR" he an.
swered with a smile, and led the way
into the studio, where a cheerful fire
was blazing. A table had been pleced
near the fire and on this were a mum.
Der of stacks Of gold coins neatly ar.
ranged in rows. There was also the
old oil cloth bag and, in a cup. lot
of diamonds cut and uncut. There
was also a broken chianti bottle and
a paper cover with writing taken from
the bottle. This evidently contained
the key of the mystery and Beatrice
picked 1t up with trembling fingers
while the two men looked at her.
Read 1t aloud. DEAR" said Gerald
and she began to read.
January 4. 1884.-It is starting to
blow up and the wreck Is goins "a
pieces plank by plank. l am the only
survivor of the crew of the barA
Tho aoc0uN mato diod fh{e