Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-08-06
AnETECTIyE,S STORY.

end of August. One 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. -= H
/ 'Wells, - said he, 'don't you feel like
having little excitement just nowa"
OF course had to say yes"
81 want you to arrest Bill Siddons, the
forger," said Mr.. Gordon, ''arld he was
last heard of at C.. You had better
start straight off at once" "
My interest was aroused when told Of
the large reward ! should obtain, and /
readily undertook to ferret out the forger.
The rosy dawn was just flashing the
eastern sky as l alighted YEARLY from the
train, and walked to the village hotel. In
answer to my inquiries, l was told that
with the exception of young lady, who
had come the night before, there were
no new arrivals.
At dinner time sat opposite theyoung
lady in question, and 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 bushes. But ], being a fair
specimen of the sterner sex, attributed
all these little smiles and glances to my
personal appearance, and congratulated
myself upon having made an impression
on such beautiful creature.
Next day prosecuted my search, but
all 10 no purpose, for nowhere could l
gain intelligence of the object of my
pursuit. For one week I searched high
and low, but no Bill Siddons could find.
All this time l had been stopping at
c., and had fallen deeply in love with
Clara Armstrong, for such was my fair
charmer's name, and also flattered my
self that che looked faVorably On me.
On the night before my departure for
the city was sitting alone with Clara.
''And SO" she said, ''you leave US to-
morrow"
Isighed and said
''You will think of me sometimes,
Clsra9"
She smiled, blushed, and taking pair
of scissors from the table, she cut off
one of those glossy curls and handed it
to me.
''Keep that" she said, ''to remember
me by"
Was l foolish to press it to my lips be-
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 the office of the
"chief, " to report. As was coming out
of the office met Gus 3. When | told
him my adventure he laughed.
''Charley," said he, ''you are taken in
and done for this time, sure"
/ Indignantly asked what he meant
81 be: you the best supper 10 be got in
town that | fetch-Bill Siddons in three
days"
f'Done !" said l, and Gus immediately
went to obtain leave of absence.
The ''chief" willingly let him go, and
that night he started. Two days passed,
and on the third day, sure enough Gus
came.
swell, what luck7' l 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"
i 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.
"By Jupiter" said l, "Clsrs Arm.
strong!"
'The same, at your SERVICE" said Bill
Siedons, for it was he. 81 am much
obliged to you, Mr.. wells, for your po-
likeness. Perhaps you would like another
lock of my hair"
l stood dumbfounded.
"a little too susceptible, Charley, my
boy-a little too susceptible, that's al, !"
said Gus, and, seeing my discontinue, he
burst out laughing.
"Hang it," muttered, and rushed out
of the room, vowing never to have any
thing more to d. with females of any dc,
scription whatever.