Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-09-12
PhilHtine, had respected history. and
this broken and defaced shield Of. the

Philistine, had respected history. and
this broken and defaced shield OF. the
Dartignyse now remained to remind
n Of the days Of the Revolution.
1t was old Henri to, who suggest
ed the subject.of the sketch. the an
gle to the right of the great stone
hearth, with its rich coloring Of oak
and the little grouping of dim family
portraits. There was a beam OF sun
and Vivian could hardly repress a
start as he saw that this rested upon
an exquisite carving Of a corhucopia,
and in the fruit that was tumbling
from 1t an apple showed prominently.
He chose q position by the table,
facing the fruit he was so eager to
examine. SurelySnever, since the his
toric apple Of Eden, had fruit such
q fascination for a man. The painter
could hardly hide his irritation when
he saw that old Henri taking a seat
near him, produced his cigarette and
settled down to enjoy the painting
For an hour or two work went on
steadily and silently, then the care
o and stretched his limbs.
Heshad work that he must attend to
perhaps monsieur would come back
and finish the sketch. In the mind
of the old servant no shadow of sus-
picion had place, but there was an @un-
formed idea at the back Of his head
that it was hardly right to leave him
there alone,r but-he was such a gem
would stand little chance of possess
ing the picture that vas progressing
SO well in the artists sketch-book.
Only another half-hour, Henri;
the light OF this setting sun is SPLEEN
did-look at that golden ray on that
old soldiers Goa in the portrait
can let myself out if 1 don't see you"
And it was said in such simplicity
that the caretaker.t entirely disarmed,
hesttated no eTfEer.
The door. OF the dining-room closed
behind him, and the artist waiting
a. moment, rose warily and tiptoed to
the windows He could make out the
bent figure of the old man crossing
the gardens and watched him until he
disappeared into one OF the farm
buildings which showed across a
meadow of parched grass that was
separated from the gardens by a
graceful line of poplars.
1t was some moments before Wv
tan's strong fingers could make any
impression on the carved apple-mo.
iments when he told himself that aft
er all, he had been chasing a shadow,
Then, suddenly, a little creak, and he
imagined that the wood beneath his
hand moved; beads Of moisture prick
ed. out on his forehead as he verified
this, then the top of the apple un-
screwed grattng1y and ZANE away in
his hand. He gave . little cry Of re-
Hastily whipping open his shirt he
drew out the key which he had found
IN the chest and-which he had sus-
pended round his neck by a ribbon.
He was not surprised that it fitted.the
,keyhole that came to light behind the
carving-nothing would surprise him
now-and he told himself that he had
succeeded and that he was on the
threshold OF Wondrous things. IA hasty
glance at the window showed him
the old man still at work in and out
OF the barns acros the meadow.
Vivian carefully oiled the wards
Of the key from a tiny oil can he took
from his paint-box, and, after q few
attempts the heavy key turned
g~rated---there a. a rumble OF locks
nothing had happened.
h his eyes Travelled to the lire.
place. The large slab that com
prtsed n back OF the deep CRATE
lhad rolled aside. displaying q cavity
through which he could, with stoon.
ingly. -
He thought rapidly and decided
that what was to be done had bet
ter be done at once. It would take
old Henri at least ten minutes III re.
turn, even II he started back 1T thai
moment, and Vivian could zee tha1
he old man had settled down 70 m
wood-chopping and was hardly likei,
to leave they job he had put Oh Il
watch the sIetching.