The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1914-04-16
CHAPTER Xxx (continued).

I stole-her for Old Man Captain. Yes.
slr, he lone wanted a little child to
lead EN-"
Ladeau slipped his oily fingers Under
the chain rs Wiley laid 1t back.
Eth? Dat strange work, Mr.. Wiley!"l
He peered closer. only one man ever
make dat Francois on Cartres street
look. he mark all his silver SOL" he
turned the crucifix. On the under side
were crude letters. Ladeau put the
trinket down and sighed: "Eheu! Dat
bisque 7 nave eat in dat oil silyersmith
shop!" He rubbed his stomach-"Dat
bisque-"
But they had turned away to listen to
Wiley Curran.
THAT crucifx, Mrs. Lindstrom?
Might I take 1t and have 1t cleaned and
| send it to Aurelie? For a present from
all Of you-with love from all Of you?
Shes such a great lady now!"
She looked at Uncle Mich. His face
let anybody but you take it, Mr.. Wiley.
h loved that little cross and chain.
But you'll reckon you can, Mr.. WiIey!"
Wiley turned back to the table. The
chain lay there. But when he lifted 1t
the silver cross was missing. He looked
about; hen on the floor.
Its gone! The crucif1x!!'
The boys were searching In the rag
carpet rugs. Curran looked about
again, at all of them-then at Maurice
Ladeau. He vas rubbing his hands
with his old slovenly card sharp trick.
and smiling.
Maurice, it was there when I laid 1t
down." He came nearer. The cajun
shrugged. TT was there when you
picked it up"
"Merci! / been a thief den? Fo' a
| ~picayune bit of silver? I 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.
Ozone been c%urious!" He came back
and set his shaggy brows hard on John
and then Ladeau. But you take the
chain, Mr.. Wiley. Mebbe we'll find the
little cross"
Curran was annoyed TIL get a new
crucifx 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 over
1t. Done come up rfvert" He smiled
and held it off toward the Hght-"God
bless you, Uncle Mich! You and your
5s9s" the land TO find the 'and Of
And as he stood up later. closing the
door to go to the cottage he heard a
roaring off to the west. At first faint.
then growing as the train sped through
| LII olAtt1lSS " oI1N oSAaS& Liz Al0A
vile yards. In the News shop door.
Mr.. Curran listened, holding stfn the
rosary against his cheek where her own
| baby lips had kissed It.
Then with his old fancy he waved II
toward tbs 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 had an appoint
mept with the Hon. T. P. Purcell, his
political manager, the next day at 10
| o'clock. But he suddenly growied:
Congress be damnedt"
Then he whir1ed and dashed through
the shop, up to his cottage and into his
bedroom. Aunt Abby was snoring, as
he crarnmed collars and brushes and
tits and slippers into a SUIT case, and
hen dashed u 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 It.