The grand master's treasure

Front matter

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Contents

CHAPTER PAGE

I. — The Placing of the Treasure .... 3

II. — The Finding of the Treasure .... 13

Part Third-truth Chapter Page

I. — Mrs. Lawton's Letter 229

II. — A Mother's Counsel 241

III.— "She Has Came But She Has Went" . . 248

IV. — Festivities at Ledgelawn 257

V. — Miriam Receives a Package .... 261

VI. — The Tide of Destiny 265

VII.— Mother and Son 273

VIII.— Miriam Finds Bettymuz 280

IX. — "Where Thy Treasure Is There Shall Thy

Heart be Also" 286

Vlll

PAET FIRST

FRIENDSHIP

" Friendship ! mysterious cement of the soul ! Sweet'ner of life ! and solder of society ! "

Robert Blair.

THE GRAND MASTERS TREASURE CHAPTER I

THE PLACING OF THE TREASURE

S Mrs. Lawton, better known to the theatergoing public as Miss Bettina Germaine, comedienne, approached the ticket office of the little station at Trowbridge Junction, the sound of voices within in earnest conversation arrested her attention. Involuntarily she paused, and woman-like, may I say, listened. The subject certainly appealed to her, for, depositing the child she carried in her arms on the nearest settee along with her suit case, she cautiously retraced her steps to her former position beside the window.

From the tenor of the conversation it was evident that the two men were Odd Fellows, and the subject interesting them was the visit of the Grand Officers of the Order, for the purpose of dedicating the fine new Odd Fellows' Hall in the town five miles away.

" Didn't you get over, George? I thought sure you would be there, and Sarah too," said the station agent, his back toward the window.

" No," replied the other, " I couldn't get off; but Sarah went. Nothing could keep her back. She'd have gone if it had been midwinter and she'd had to walk every step of the way knee-deep in snow. She was on the supper committee, you know. Sometimes I wonder how we could ever get along without the Rebekahs."

" I don't waste my time that way," laughed the agent. " But don't you run away with the idea that I don't appreciate all that the Rebekah Order means to Odd Fellowship. To my mind it's the leaven of the whole lump. The new Grand Master has made a fine impression, especially on the sisters, and they are determined, so they say, to make this year a record breaker."

"He's a married man, ain't he?" inquired his friend.

The agent tipped his hat to one side and chuckled.

" Married? Well, I guess not. Why, you know who he is? Richard Denman^ lives down Norwood way in that big place on the river road, ' Ledgelawn ' they call it."

" Can't say I do remember ; you forget I've been away, off and on, for the best part of five years, and not until Sarah got the Rebekah c bee in her bonnet ' did I ever give much thought to lodge except to keep my dues paid up. Seems to me I've heard he was a lawyer."

" That's the man. His father was Judge Denman, and I tell you he was a corker if there ever was one ! Great tall man with an eye that looked straight through you. My father used to say that the old Judge was a lawyer that could tell a lie but was so darned obstinate he wouldn't. Think of that ! " And they laughed noisily.

" Yes, i Dick/ as the boys call him, took the practice when the old man died eight years ago. He was a young fellow just out of law school, full of the devil but straight as a string. He settled right down and is making a name for himself, so I hear."

"How old is he?"

The agent frowned deeply, and ruminated. " Let me see," he murmured. " The Judge went to Calif orny when I was a baby, so I've heard father tell, and a few years after," he paused, then the thought coming clearer, said with emphasis, " Now, I have it. Kate was born when I was five, and that was the very year Judge Denman brought his wife home. She was a 'Frisco girl, and he married her out there. Handsome woman, is so now. The Grand Master comes rightly by his good looks. Now, I'm five years older than Kate, and I've heard her say that she was five years older than Dick Denman. Oh, he's about thirty-two or three."

His companion got up and looked at the clock from the ticket window and remained leaning on its wide ledge.

" Has he been up yet? "

" Why, what are you thinking of, man? He, leave before six and miss the fine supper the Bekies had prepared? Not he! He'll be along in time for the 9.15 all right. His mother has only the colored help in the house, and like a good son he always tries to get back home at night whenever he can make it. I tell you, he's all right. Want to meet him, George 1 "

The other turned as if to go, saying, " Not to-night. I've got to get up early to-morrow. Going up Aroostook way." Then, lowering his voice, " Somebody wants a ticket, I guess."

In her eagerness to hear all that was being said, Bettina Law ton had moved into the light and the man saw her profile clearly outlined by the window. The agent sprang quickly to his feet, opened the window and looked out. Mrs. Lawton advanced.

" Boston, please," she said. On coming to the station it had been her intention to buy a through ticket to her destination, New York, but the conversation she had just listened to had started a train of thought, visionary, yet probable, and it might be well for her to dissemble. Boston was the end of the Pullman run, and her section had been engaged by mail two days ago, so, quite naturally, Boston suggested itself as the better place for the train ticket.

The ticket duly stamped and change given, the agent turned his attention to his departing guest.

Returning to her charge, Mrs. Lawton quickly removed the child to the farthest and darkest part of the dimly lighted station. The screen behind the big stove quite hid them from view. She watched the men as they emerged from the ticket office and left the waiting room. It was then five minutes to nine o'clock. The Boston express was due at 9.06 and the agent had said that the Grand Master would leave on the up train at 9.15. If she carried out the mad plan that had suggested itself to her mind, there was no time to be lost. "An Odd Fellow," she kept saying to herself. There lay her right of appeal, but how in the world was she ever going to do it? Her thoughts were in a tumult. She could not ask him to take the child; that would be an insane idea; he had never even heard of her. He would refuse undoubtedly, and no wonder. She could not expect anyone unless made acquainted with all the circumstances to give the thing any consideration. Oh, for a home, a home! Never before had it meant so much to her anxious thought. It had always been the one great desire of her heart for the baby's sake.

" Only the mother and son, servants, and a big house. What a home for some little child," she said, half aloud. If Miriam could only be placed amid such surroundings as those in which the agent said the Grand Master lived ! Miriam was a good child, healthy, sweet tempered, and very bright. Nurse Graham had brought her up so carefully, surely they could not help but love her, and it might not be for long. Another season she would drop musical comedy and get into some resident stock company, then she could make a home for the little one. The more she thought of it the stronger became her conviction that she was right in indulging in such fancies. Taking the child to New York, even if she hired an apartment and a competent nurse, what should she do when the company went on the road, as very likely it might in the spring ? She closed her eyes and tried to steady her thought. She dared not look at the little one, she must be unselfish and do whatever seemed best for her darling. If it were right that she should do the thing she contemplated the way would be made clear to her. It always had been in the past, it would be so now. The Red Sea of Doubt would surely open and a path be shown her through which to take her child to safety. There was no need to worry, there was no cause for fear, she must be obedient to Divine Love and the mists of doubt would lift.

A gust of wind struck her fevered cheek. She opened her eyes and peered around the side of the screen. Two men were entering the waiting room. The first was a tall young man with a military bearing. He carried a fur-lined coat on his arm and a suit case in his hand. The other man was stouter, and wore eyeglasses. Both were talking with the agent, who hurried in after them and unlocked the ticket office.

,l Joe," said the taller man, addressing the agent, " I'm going to leave my coat and suit case here, if convenient!" He laid the garment over the chair and deposited the case beside it.

" Sure, Brother Denman, pleased to have you. They'll be perfectly safe. There ain't a soul here as I can see, except yourselves for the up train. She'll be a few minutes late to-night, I hear."

They moved toward the outer door. The Grand Master turned to address his companion. Bettina could see him distinctly. A fine, high-bred face, clean shaven, and a figure slender yet athletic in build. He was consulting his watch.

" We'll have ample time to go to the drug store, won't we, Joe ! " he said. " I want to get some stamps for letters to send off by the express."

" You'll have ten minutes, sure," replied the agent, and the three passed out, closing the door.

Mrs. Lawton's brow cleared. So that was the Grand Master of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Maine. What a musical voice he had, a barytone, she thought. His entire personality was intrinsically that of a man born and bred to the best things of life. She was trembling with excitement. The way had opened as clear as noonday, so it appeared to her rapidly clearing mentality. If what she had in her mind was the thing to do, it must be done quickly. In an instant she had a pencil and pad of paper from her case and was rapidly writing a note. With shaking hands she pinned it to the little white coat. Then lifting the child carefully, she bore her swiftly to the ticket office, pushed open the door, and placed the little one in the warm folds of the Grand Master's coat. At that very instant the express came thundering in. A light kiss on the dimpled cheek, a murmured blessing, " Love be kind to her," and snatching up her suit case she fairly flew out of the waiting room and onto the platform just as the conductor was swinging his lantern and calling, " All aboard ! "

She was so shaken with agitation, she had hardly strength enough to lift her suit case to the step of the car. The conductor, an elderly man with grown-up girls at home, divining her condition, laid his hand on her arm steadying her as she climbed the steps.

" Better not reckon so close another time," he said, not unkindly, as taking her luggage he deposited it on a seat midway of the car. Thanking him, she sank down and shut her eyes only to open them wide as she recalled her section in the Pullman, the car ahead. Rousing herself she made her way into the sleeper. The porter, with observation keen for beauty as well as for tips, graciously relieved her of her luggage.

" Yes, lady," he replied. " Your section is No. 8, lower berth, Miss Germaine! Yes, Miss, I'll make it up right away." Absently she paid the faro, then glanced about her. The train was a heavy one. A large party of tourists back from a hunting trip to the Aroostook came in from the smoker, and began preparations for retiring, laughing and joking with each other and the porter. Waving his hand toward her section, the porter signified its readiness to receive her.

How good it seemed to be alone at last! She snuggled down under the warm coverings and vainly tried to compose herself. Usually she could sleep on the train no matter how much noise there might be about her, but to-night her nerves were so overwrought by the exciting events of the day that every burst of hilarity made her start. It was an audacious thing she had just done. She believed that her impulse was right, but would her precious baby be safe? The face of the Grand Master, with its grave but sweet expression, came before her and the recollection of it gave her some degree of comfort. Ah, but she was so homesick for the little form she had been holding in her arms! Her baby among strangers! Strangers! The words pounded themselves in upon her brain. Yet, her almost childlike faith in the power of Divine Love " to temper the wind to the shorn lamb " brought to her a sense of peace. It had been her strong belief that the God she looked to daily for guidanca would direct her in all her ways, and in spite of her fears she felt she had made no mistake in placing her treasure in the Grand Master's care. Little hy little she grew calmer, the tense strain lifted, and like a tired child she relaxed and slept.

Chapter II The Finding Of The Treasure

THE station agent, whistling merrily, busied himself with the packages and bundles left by the express, until the voice of the Grand Marshal recalled the fact that the train was even later than he had expected.

"Usually right on time, eh, Joe?" said Micah Hayden, as he lit another cigar and watched the smoke float out on the clear frosty air; then realizing that he had forgotten something he drew some cigars from his inner pocket and passed them to the agent.

" Much obliged, Brother Hayden, I never smoke on the job, but it will be a treat, I can tell you, when I get home." He had noticed the brand, the choicest the drug store afforded, and could truly say the cigars would be a treat.

" Doesn't he smoke! " he asked, nodding in the direction of the Grand Master, who was standing somewhat apart, hands deep in his pockets, face turned skyward, studying the aurora borealis, which was unusually bright.

The Grand Marshal smiled. He never wearied of recounting the splendid qualities of his boyhood friend, even at the sacrifice of his own virtues.

" Richard Denman has no vices," he replied, knocking the ashes from his cigar. " He is, without exception, the best all-round example of an Odd Fellow I ever knew, old or young. And he's certainly no mollycoddle." He recalled the many occasions of various kinds and descriptions in which he and Richard Denman had participated. They were chums at college, and afterwards during Dick's years at law school, when he had served his time as reporter on the staff of a newspaper in the same city, they had been inseparable. Yes, he felt he knew his friend pretty thoroughly. If Richard Denman had any shortcomings Micah Hayden would be likely to know of them.

He regarded the Grand Master affectionately and thought of Theo, his sister, the playmate and companion of both men. Some day perhaps a marriage would unite the families in a closer bond. He walked to the Grand Master's side and laid a hand on his shoulder.

"Why so pensive, Dickie, my boy?" he asked, throwing away the stump of his cigar. He knew Richard only tolerated cigar smoke because he loved him. " You've been gazing heavenward for at least five minutes. Got a crick in your neck! "

A smile, quickly fading, nickered on the Grand Master's lips :

" 1 was thinking, Micah, how little the great majority of men, and women too, who take upon themselves the obligations of the degrees of Odd Fellowship, realize the infinite significance that lies in the work. Why, it means ntter self-immolation, the living up to one's highest ideals, or at least striving to do so. Now abont the dedication to-day ; how many do you think really understood what it all meant? " He looked about him apprehensively and walked a few steps. " I'm not superstitious as you know, Micah, but I can't shake off the feeling that something out of the ordinary is going to happen."

Micah slipped his arm in his and laughed.

" Dickie, your liver is out of order. Better take a pill. I see you are getting a trifle morbid ; sure sign of a disordered liver. Any patent medicine almanac will tell you that. But, by Jove, I don't wonder, when I think of the banquets we've feasted at the past five weeks. And the one to-night ! Fit for the gods ! Ah, Eebekah, Bebekah, thy name is all that bespeaks hospitality! The memory of thy chicken salad will never die, even if we do ! Cheer up, Dick, and don't forget the pill!"

A shrill whistle sounded, the headlight of the engine could be seen as it flashed around the curve below the crossing. The agent started for the waiting room.

"We'll get the things, Joe," called out the Grand

Master as he hastened along the platform. He dashed into the ticket office and took hold of his coat. What was the matter? Was it weighted down? Had some one been playing a joke on him? Surely not.

He threw open the folds of the garment to investigate, and there, deep in sleep, lay the rosiest, prettiest little child he ever had looked upon. He started back and stared. " Great Scott ! " he ejaculated. Then, accustomed to quick action, he called out as he ran to the door, " Joe, hold the train! Something here to investigate! Micah, here ! "

Both men came in on the double-quick, followed by the conductor. They stood transfixed with surprise. The conductor lifted his lantern so the rays fell full on the waxen features. The agent's face flushed, then turned deadly white.

" Well, I'll be switched ! Excuse me, Mr. Denman, but this is as big a surprise to me as it is to you. I never set eyes on that kid before, and I don't know a living thing about how it came in here, on my honor." He pushed back his cap and wiped the moisture from his forehead.

The conductor looked at his watch and fidgeted.

" Well, well, I guess this is a greater surprise than that collie dog you took home a few weeks ago, Mr. Denman," and he laughed infectiously. " But for all that, I can't hold this train a minute longer even for you. What are you going to do? "

and he looked at the Grand Master and then at Micah Hayden, who was regarding his friend intently. It seemed as if Eichard Denman was completely lost to everything about him.

"What are you going to do, Dick?" echoed Micah sharply, shaking him by the arm.

The Grand Master looked up from the child's face to the three anxious men before him. He lifted the little one tenderly and wrapped the coat closer.

" What am I going to do? " he answered, as he stepped out of the ticket office. " There is only one thing to do as I regard it, for to-night at least. I'm not going to desert what has been placed almost literally in my very arms."

The conductor gave a grunt of satisfaction and relief. In a moment more he waved his lantern to the engineer leaning out of the window of his caboose. The train started.

" I'll telephone you early to-morrow, Joe, how to investigate this," called out the Grand Master from the vestibule of the car. " Don't worry about it. I know you're not to blame. Good night ! " And he passed within the car. Micah had preceded him and turned over a seat for the Grand Master's burden.

The two men sank back in their places and silently dwelt on the situation confronting them. Fortunately there were few passengers aboard and no one they knew. It was some moments before the silence was broken, then Micah said :

" Well, Dick, this is certainly the limit, believe me ! I wonder what the solution will be. It will be a regular scoop if you don't mind my wiringit to the press to-night. If it was almost any other man but you, I'd think — " he hesitated and his face grew red to the roots of his thick brown hair. He took off his glasses and nervously rubbed them with his pocket handkerchief. The whole thing was so unpleasantly unusual.

The Grand Master turned slightly and looked him full in the eyes ; there was no shadow of resentment in his gaze. He knew his record was without spot or blemish and he knew Micah knew. It had just occurred to him that this was the explanation of his peculiar feelings. The " something " had certainly happened. Clearing his throat he said :

" Micah, it is needless for me to tell you that this little child is as much of a stranger to me as she is to you. For the present it is all very mysterious." He took off his hat and ran his fingers through his hair, the lines between his brows deepening. The child nestled in her sleep and murmured some inarticulate words. " I don't see how," he continued, lowering his voice to a whisper, " in the name of all that Odd Fellowship stands for, I could do differently from what I am doing. Until it is proven that the child has parents living, she is virtually an orphan, and it is our duty to protect her. Pd do it anyway," he added sotto voce. From the moment he had taken the child in his arms, those words spoken centuries ago by the grandest Master that ever trod the earth had been ringing in his ears, " Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Richard Denman could not have been called a religious man according to the worldly standard. His early training had been strict but not according to any prescribed religious codes.

The family pew in the Congregational Church, the first house of God erected in Norwood, had been in possession of the Denman family for years. The ministers had always been welcome visitors to Ledgelawn, and the family were liberal in their gifts to the church. They seldom attended service, however, except on special occasions such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the Easter celebration. From earliest childhood Richard had been taught to be kind to all of God's creatures because He made them, and to know that all His creation was good; to fear to do evil because it was unmanly, beneath his heritage, and to love his neighbor as himself.

And so it came to pass that, when on attaining his majority, his parents suggested that he should unite with the Subordinate and Rebekah Lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in the town of Norwood, the son found in these an active ontlet for his ideals. Following in his father's footsteps, Richard filled the office of Noble Grand in due course of time, and in the month of October of the year this story opens he had been elevated to the highest office of the Order in the State of Maine. His brother Odd Fellows knew that he was one who never hesitated to do what he felt was right, no matter what appearances would seem to indicate, and the present instance was no exception.

He fell to studying the sleeping form, the little arms thrown over her head in all the abandon of childhood. What was that apparently pinned to the side of her coat? A note? His seat-mate pointed to it simultaneously with his leaning over to investigate. Yes, it was a note. He took out the small white pearl-headed pin, carefully attaching it to the under lapel of his coat, and together the two men read these words :

" Miriam's father was an Odd Fellow in good standing. The mother is leaving her child in your care knowing that you will protect the helpless. Some time she will' come to claim her daughter and to express her gratitude. Miriam will be three years old on November twentieth.

" A case of impulsive desertion. I wonder what is the best way to go about the matter? Surely

Joe must remember some clew when he gets to thinking rationally. Do you recall seeing anyone about the station, Micah 1 " he asked as he studied the handwriting, which was distinctly that of an educated person. There was no attempt to disguise the hand. It had marked characteristics which could be easily traced if the occasion presented itself. Micah waited until the brakeman had passed, then whispered :

" Yes, by Jove, I did, come to think of it. I saw a young lady get on the express at the last moment and Stanton swung on behind her. Why didn't I think of that before! What a jackass I am! There's your baby's mother, Dick, beyond a doubt," he declared emphatically.

" Of course you didn't notice anything about her so you could recognize her if you saw her again? " eagerly questioned the Grand Master.

Micah shook his head. " She had gone in the car as the train passed me, but Stanton may know who she is. I'll ask him to-morrow when he comes up. B. L. B. L.," he repeated. " Why, Dick, if she happened to take the sleeper, Mack will be able to place those initials, it was his run to-night."

" Eight you are ! " returned the Grand Master excitedly ; " I'll put Joe wise in the morning. You see, I'd like to have the mother know her child is safe. She took desperate chances. Micah, she must have been somewhere in the station when we were. It's strange we didn't see anyone. It's a mystery to me how she did it. Joe ought to remember something, seems to me."

" Poor old Joe was completely knocked out," laughed Micah. " It would have been laughable if the situation hadn't been such a serious one. He'll get nerved up again after he smokes one of those cigars." Then they fell to discussing ways and means toward the desired end, that of locating the mother and assuring her of the safety of her child.

" Of course we will keep the little girl, for the present at least," said the Grand Master. Then he added, " Micah, do you realize that in this very case the necessity for an orphans' home is apparent ! Now if we had such an institution we would know just where to take her. The lodges should be aroused to greater activity in that direction. Because we have no indigent Odd Fellows and homeless orphans at present, it does not follow that such will always be the prevailing condition."

The train was moving at a tremendous rate. If the engineer kept up the speed the lights of Norwood would soon be seen glimmering in the distance.

" Why, here we are now ! " exclaimed the* Grand Marshal, as the train lurched round a curve and suddenly came to a standstill. " I'd no idea we were so near home," and he caught up the suit case preparatory to leaving. " Be careful how you handle that baby, Dick, she might wake up and then — M Richard DenmaD smiled back at his friend. The situation had its humorous side if oue looked for it. They walked briskly along the platform. The town clock was striking eleven.

" If the station cab isn't here, telephone for a carriage, Micah, we can't walk home to-night ! " and they both burst into a fit of laughter which was quickly checked however. Hayden went to the corner of the station and peered into the darkness. The public conveyance could be seen coming along the main street, the driver whipping his horses into the semblance of a trot. In a few moments he drew up to the platform beside the passengers.

"That's you, Mr. Hayden, ain't it?" he inquired, as he turned in his seat to reach the handle of the carriage door. Recognizing Mr. Denman he nodded, and looked with curiosity at him, as he handed the child to Micah before entering the carriage.

" I'm bringing home a visitor, Tom," he said by way of explanation.

The old man's eyes twinkled, he had known both men from the time they were in knickerbockers and used to steal rides on the back of his carriages.