Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1917-05-10

| WIN hhtuhai CufiDoily WAtCUcU lnc pas
sengers alight from the evening train
from the city. Then he made a positive
jump forward. A man, bronzed, travel
worn, with threadbare attire, thin, but
brisk, and carrying a battered satchel
plastered with foreign labels had
stepped from the train.
'sDoctor Bliss !" shouted Julian. "Oh.
this win brighten the heart Of a poor,
patient giril''
"Morsei but II seems grand to see
you Y cried the returned traveller cheer
ily. ''Yes, It's me. and I've been
through something. my boy. believe
mel Morse, Viola. my sister7 All
weilT'
GLORIOUS. now you're homer en-
Unused Julian. "come. hurry. Oh. but
Viola win be gladrr
Poor violai Joyous Viola she chung
TO her beloved parent, crying, laughing,
fairly hysterical when Julian, happy as
schooiboy. ushefed him into the home
that had 70 MISSED him. II was amid
their glad. mutual greeting that sum
mons came at the doorbell. Aunt Lucy
uahered old Bayne into the room.
The money lender had not antici-
pated the return OF the master OF the
house. He was staggered, sought to re-
tire, but the doctor. unaware Of his
treachery and Eueanness, treated him
like some bosom friend.
"Ha ha come after your money
getting anxious about It. suppose7"
cried Doctor Bliss uproariously. you'll
be paid and well paid. neIghbor, FOR
your patience. don't look very pros
porous, ehf Wen, I've not been for
many a month. In prison in Belgium,
10 prison In Prussia, knocked from pill
lar to post, blown up twice. nearly
hanged for q spy. At last I'm here and
I've come 10 pay up everything. You
know that letter / sent you with the
pictures. VIolaT"
1--WE received no letter. father" re
piled Viola.
sBut the plcturesf"
-oh, yes, they came all right and
mystified us not little"
Where are theyT'
''In the attic"
''Haye them down. I want TO show
my old friend here what a rare, royal
bargain made abroad. You see, there
were six OF those gems. A rich old
stakeholder under government sus-
picion offered me the lot, worth $780,
900. for $4,000 to get cash to fee the
country. ] shipped them as common
freight"
why. father. they are worthless
daubs," ventured Viola, but her father
at this reared with gieefui jollity.
Viola and Julian went to the attic and
brought the set Of oil paintings down
into the sitting room.
Doctor Bliss lifted the wretched
danbs from the box with great gusto.
He rested them against various chairs.
There you are" be announced diff.
fuEivcly-"a clear value OF 100000
and q profit OF eighty-nve thousand
Wen pay you on royalty, Bayne. and
have fortune left TO be happy on
'Aha daubsf Yes. but. jon see. the
real gems arr diaguized."
''Disguised1" repeated Viola vaguely.
"0yercoAted."
"overcoatedY' muttered the mysti-
fied Bayns.
'-Thusi" cried Doctor Bliss. and he
opened and waved a penknIfe. Then
be proceeded TO cut from Its frame a
canvas. threw Il aside and revealed
the real painting underneath.
''corot Measonier. jules Aryin r. ex-
ulted the doctor. Look at the beauties
safe. mine and standard as diamonds.
Make out your bill. Bayne. And you
patient two" 10 Viola and Julian, "get
ready for a weddingr'
Bayne sneaked away, baffied. As for
the happy lovers. surrounded by love
and art, which endure perpetnally, they
felt that lIfe's full award was theirs.