The Lincoln County herald., 1871-07-13
A Detectives Story.

It was dull, rainy day, toward the
end Of August. Que Of those days when
earth and sky alike are dreary, and the
rain drops pattering against the window
makes one feel so sad and lonely. The
clock that hung against the wall pointed
to the hour Of three, when Mr.. Gordon,
our chief dark, silent little man, en-
tered the room.
"Wells," said he, "don't you feel like
having little excitement just now ?"
or course l had to say "Yes."
II want you to arrest Bill Siddous, the
forger," said Mr.. Gordon, "and he was
last heard Of at c.. You had better
start straight of at once"
My interest was aroused when told Of
the large reward should obtain, aud l
readily undertook to ferret out the forger.
The rosy dawn was just flashing the
eastern sky as l alighted wearily from the
train, and walked 10 tho village hotel.
In answer to my inquiries, I vas told
that with the exception Of young lady,
who had come the night before. there
were no new arrivals.
At dinner time I sat opposite the
young lady in question, and I noticed
that when she saw me come in she smiled,
and blushed rosy red. Her dark brown
eyes seemed to sparkle and CLEAN With
fun and mischief; her long black hair,
which she wore in curls, seemed created
but to hide her blushes. But I, being .
fair specimen Of the sterner sex, attribu
ted all these little smiles and glances to
my personal appearance, and congratu.
lated myself upon having made an impress.
sion on such a beautiful creature.
Noxt day prosecuted my search, but
all to no purpose, for nowhere could l
gain intelligence of the object of my pur
suit. For one week searched high and
low, but no Bill Siddons could l find.
All this time had been stopping at c.,
and had fallen deeply in love with Clara
Armstrong, for such was my fair charm
er's name, and I also Aattered myself
that she looked favorably on me.
% the night before my departure for
the city, was sitting alone with Clara.
"And so" she said, "you leave US to-
morrow"
sighed and said
"You will think Of ne sometimes,
Clara? p
She smiled, blushed. and taking pair Of
scissors from the table, she cut of one Of
those glossy curls and handed it to me.
Keep that" she said, ito remember
me BY"
Was l foolish to press it to my lips bs.
fore laying it next to my heart? Clara
smiled and said nothing. Evidently she
did not think me foolish.
The next morning l arrived safely in
the city, and hurried to tho Office Of the
"chief," 10 report As I was coming out
Of the Office met Gus b. When told
him my adventure he laughed.
Charley" said he, 'you are taken in
aud done for this time, sure.
Indignantly asked him what he mont
bet you the best supper to be got In
town that fotch Bill Siddons in three
days"
"Done I" said /, and Gus imme ediatcls
went to obtain leave of absence.
J The 'chief' willingly let him 20, and
! that night he started. Two days passed
and on the third day, sure enough, Gus
came.
SWELL what luck ?" asked, as l saw
him come out of the office. ..,.
"The best in the world" he replied
"Come with me; l will show you the
prisoner"
followed him into one of the strong
rooms, and there, sure enough, was the
, prisoner leaning against the window
He was standing with his back to the
door, but on hearing US come in he turned
around. las '.."
by Jupiterl' said I, "Clara Arm
! strong I" -...a..I.
? "The same, at your SERVICE" said Bill
Siddons, for it was he. "l am much
obliged to you, Mr.. Wells, for your polite
ness. Perhaps you would like anothe,
lock Of my hair" f''".... ...
! stood dumbfoundcd.
"A littlo too susceptible, Charley, my
boys little too susceptible, that's all,
} said Gus, and. feeing my discontinue, h
burst out laughing. a'
"Hang itw muttcred, and rushed
, out Of tho room, vowing never to have
anything more to do with females of any
description whatever. '..''