The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1913-05-27
THE EVENING STORY
MAN.oN.THE.wAL

Curtis from New York. I am visiting
Mrs. March. and she sent me here.
She would have come. too. only she's
down with a sick headache. She said
you had the most wonderful collection
OF silk patchwork quilts in the world.
Now, I'm very much interested in
patchwork quilts. I'd like to see your.
If l may?"
The breathless question at the end
made Miss Meg smile. "Of course you
may. Step in, Miss Curtis" Miss
Meg swung open the parlor door. Il
gUess you'll find this room cornforta-
you1l excuse me. III just run up and
bring down the quilts"
Miss Meg had to make several
trips up and down stairs, but she was
as light on her feet as u squirrel. The
eXertion merely gave her a flush which
deepened at the city girls praise OF
her york. The parlor fairly radiated
sheen and color from the spread-out
quilts.
And there's one more," Miss, Meg
said. finally. I'm just finishing it.
it is"
The girl followed her out. Miss Meg
was carefully unfolding her latest
treasure when she heard the girl give
a little cry: She looked around in
surprise. The girl was standing be-
fore the portrait staring at it with all
her black eyes.
oh. Miss M~erritheW." she gasped,
where did You ever get this?"
Miss Meg told her with dignity. She
felt as If the girl was taking a liberty
with the Wall.
81 believe feel sure it's the los
picture" the girl said. And if it is,
IT,, IN fotf~ &c 49, ~rr az IA An q
was stolen a good many years ago
Mother has often told me about 1t.
And we've never been able to get IN
trace of it. Oh. Miss Merrithew, ii
you would just take it down and lei
me look at the back of it? Grand
fathers portrait had his initials, s.
f. t. and the number 81 in one
corner"
Miss Meg. with a curious sinking of
heart, set a chair, climbed upon It.,
and handed down the picture. The
girl turned its back to the wall. There
v.ere III initials and the number, as
she had said.
IS. E. T.'-Samue1 Ezekiel Trud-
gift" she murmured. The 81 stands
for his e at the time this portrait
was painted. His first wife's brother
Grandfather had three wives and
eleven children. MY grandmother was
his third wife. He was eighty when
he died and l remember him perfect
~. He always walked with his hands
crossed on his back and he smoked a
great deal. And he had some curiou:
notions. One was-but I'm trying YOU
with so much narration. dear Miss
Merrithew. You look pale"
ooh. my no." faltered Miss Meg.
Its all very interesting. You see,
never knew-or dreamed-ihat he
vas like that. He always seemed SO
different. But, of course, YOU know.
.And-aad you are welcome to him
the picture, I mean"
"Oh. Miss Merrithew. how generous
You are! OF course. ] yearn to have
the portrait, but l shall pay o any,
thing you ask. AS d piece of art, real
~. YOU know. it is quite valuable"
Nevertheless. [ couldn't tlke a cen:
for hint, I mean" said Miss Meg
firmly. 'I-I-unuer the circum-
stances, I shall be very glad to get
rid of him."
Then" said the girl. putting an
arm about Miss Meg tenderly. maybe,
since YOU are SO nice and kind and
generous. dear Miss Merrithew. youth
grant another desire of my heart and
quilts"
In the end Miss Meg sold her four
quilts. The girl would name her own
rrice-the New York price she said