The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1919-01-16

to the old shed and show them, high
up on a special shelf, the round black
object, the sight of which aroused
their fertile fancies, later dwelling
upon the frightful havoc an accidental
explosion would create in the peaceful
subdivision tract.
The old man was failing fast. Bruce
and Lettie noticed it, and he himself
was aware of the fact.
"I'm not going to stay long with
you, children" he told them one eve
ming, land hope when I'm gone there
will be something left to repay you for
all your great kindness to me. You
see, there's a big indemnity covering
my destroyed property in Belgium, if
it is ever paid. I'm going to have a
talk with you all about it in day or
two" but the next day the old man
was found seated in his favorite porch
chair, dead, but with a peaceful smile
on his old, furrowed face.
Never a word did Bruce utter as to
the expense the old man had been to
him, and Lettie loved him all the more
dearly for It, Their little one had
come along the first month of Mr..
Vances stay with them. They had
named the child after him, and raptur-
ously he had limited at the provisions
he should make for his namesake,
"when he got his business affairs in
shape"
One morning, a few weeks later, Let
tie was at a neighbours with the baby.
She had placed the little one asleep
on a cushion, when her hostess came
hurrying into the room where she was.
"Oh, Mrs. Manton!" she cried, excit-
eddy, 1.-THE high grass Of your lot is all
on fire. Some of those mischievous
boys, l fear-and your shed is ablazel J"
Lettie ran out to the door to share
the agitation of her informant She
could see half a mile away, the flames
sweeping about the shed and darting
over it toward the house.
mind the baby" she cried sharply
and started across the prairie in the
direction Of home. Half the distance
accomplished, Lettie halted with a
vivid shock. OF sudden, a frightful
defamation rent the air. She saw the
shed scattered in fragments in every
direction and some of the burning de-
bris hurled to the roof of the house.
"The bomb !" she fluttered. 1.-THE
bomb that Uncle Hubert stored in the
shed Oh the house is doomed, tool"
An hour later no trace of the cher
ished little home was visible. Lettie
wept bitterly and Bruce looked grave
and worried, as they stood regarding
the ruin about them.
'Don't despair" Bruce tried to tell
her cheerlngly. "You know through
heart-wreck and homework, the hap
by sparrows build"
ooh Mr.. Manton! here's a funny
little iron box Ned Devon just poked
out of the ashes of the old she'd" an
nounced Lettie's small brother, who
was one of the crowd of curious young
sters attracted to the scene.
"H. w." traced Bruce, inspecting
the box. "Why, those are your uncle's
initials, Lcttie. He must have hidden
it in the she'd It's strong and solid
and can't be opened without the key"
81 wonder what is in it?" murmured
Lettle
They took It to the house Of neigh
Dor where they were to pass the night
and Bruce made an attack on the box
with chisel and hammer. AT length he
succeeded in battering off the cover.
A card showed first. "For my niece
and her baby" it read.
Bonds, bank notes, some diamonds
and bag of gold pieces, an old watch,
in turn amazed Bruce as he examined
the contents Of the box-a timely leg
acy that meant that Uncle Hubert had
not boosted vainly when he had hint
ed at repayment for their unseltish
kindness.