Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-04-16
CHAPTER Xxx (continued,.

Done wore it round her neck when
l stole her for Old Man Captain. Yes,
sir. he done wanted q little child to
lead EN-"
Ladeau slipped his oily fingers under
the chain as Wiley laid it back.
En-? Dat strange work, Mr.. Wiley!"
He peered closer. only n man ever
make dat. Francois on Cartres street
look. he mari all his silver sol" he
turned the crucifiX. On the under side
We're crude letters. Ladeau put the
trinket down and sighed: "Eheu! Dat
bisque l have eat In dat OF silversmith
shop!" He rubbed his stomach-'Dat
bisque-"
But they had turned away to listen to
Wiley Curran.
That crucifx, Mrs. Lindstrom?
Might I take it and have it cleaned and
send it to Aurelie? For a present from
all Of you-with love from all of you?
Shes such a great lady low"
She looked at Uncle Mich. His face
grew tender. II reckon. I wouldn't
let anybody but you take it, Mr.. Wiley.
She loved that little cross and chain.
But you'll reckon you can, Mr.. Wiley!"
Wiley turned back to the table. The
chain lay there. But when he lifted it
the silver cross was missing. He looked
about; then on the floor.
Its gone! The crucifix!'
h boys were searching in the rag
carpet rugs. Curran looked about
again, at all of thein-then at Maurice
Ladeau. He was rubbing his hands
with his old slovenly card-sharp trick,
n smiling.
Maurice, it was there when I laid it
down." He came nearer. The cajun
shrugged. 1T was there when you
picked it up"
"Merci! I been a thief den? Fo' a
picayune bit of silver? sho' never
see dat!"
They looked about, under the bed
and the dresser. But nothing was
found. Michigan stumped out and
crawled under the house to make sure
it had not gone through some crack.
Done been curious!" He came back
n set his shaggy brows hard on John
and then Ladeau. But you take the
chain, Mr.. Wiley. Mebbe Well find the
little cross"
Curran was annoyed. TIL get a new
crucifix put on, Uncle Mich. Then I'll
write Aurelie. But it's curious!"
He went home and, sitting in the
shop, took out the chain to muse ove
1t. Done come up river!" He smiled
and held it off toward the light-"God
little girl! Done come up river to &C.
5o y oDe 'ano' 10 "no the 'Ana o.
And as he stood up later. closing the
door to go to the cottage, he heard q
roaring off to the west. At first faint
then growing as the train sped through
the uplands' cut and reached the Earl
Vile yards. In the News shop door
Mr.. Curran listened. holding still the
rosary against his cheek where her own
baby lips had kissed it.
Then with his old fancy he waved II
toward the east. because you're there
Aurelie-just because you're there!"
And a sudden impulse seized him
He was wont to do things on uncon-
sidered impulses. He a an appoint
ment with the Hon. T. P. Purcell, his
political manager, the e day at Il
o'clock. But he suddenly growled:
Congress be damned"
Then he whirled and dashed through
the shop, up to his cottage and into his
bedroom. Aunt Abby was snoring, as
he crammed collars and brushes anc
tits and slippers into a suit case, anc
then dashed out again and over the
fence with the lightness of a boy. He
forgot to close the door. He scattered
toilet articles from High street to the
junction. But one thing he did not lose
and that was Aurelie's rosary!
And by one Of those curious chances
of destiny which make or mar a mans
life, the Chicago train was three min
utes late, and he made 1t.