The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1877-08-16

HOatlng thread, ana re1nnaDlt the quarters
for which it could not quite shake off
responsibility.
"Get up, or I'll shoot |" said George.
"Oh, don't shoot him p cried Mrs.
McLane, while Bob, still motionless,
di1nly hoped he would.
sect up !" reiterated John; and he
did get up. His own will was inactive,
and Johns was the force that moved his
muscles. He turned around and sat UP,
his legs dangling over the edge of the
bookcase, and his wet, white, wretched
face blankly directed toward the group
a most pitable figure.
"Jump down." said John; "and, if
you try to escape, you will get shot p
Bob let himself drop without regard
TO how he was to alight, and in conse-
quence was severely bruised against
chair and the edges of the bookcase.
He stood facing the group. His eyes
mechanically sought Angles. What was
his surprise not to perceive in her ex-
preston of mingled curiosity and fright
the slightest sign of recognition A
glance showed him that it was the same
with the others. John and George evil
IDENTIFY supposed they were dealing with
an ordinary burglar, and the others were
apparently quite as devoid of suspicion
as to his identity. His wig He had
forgotten all about it. That explained
their singular demeanor.
The bald man in stockings, trousers
and shirt, caught hiding in the library
after an attempt on the silver, quite
naturally failed to recall to their minds
the youth of rather foppish attire and
luxuriant locks who bade them good
night few hours previous. As this
fact and its explanation broke upon Bobs
mind he felt an immense sense of relief,
instantly followed by more poignant
perception of the inextricable falsity and
cruel absurdity of his position. He had
little time to think it over and determine
his best course.
John stepped forward, and with the
point of his cane-sword motioned him
into corner, thus leaving the way clear
to the ladies, who at once hurried into
the dining-room, throwing glances of
fear and aversion upon Bob as they
passed. Angie paused at the doorway
and asked:
"What are you going to do with the
dreadful man p
Bob even then was able to notice that
he had never seen her so ravishingly
beautiful as now, with her golden hair
falling over her charming deshabiJle,
while her eyes scintillated with excite
ment. She would have blushed to have
been seen by him in such an undress
toilet, but, with an odd feeling of being
double, he perceived that she now re-
garded him as she would have an
animal.
'George, and L. will attend to him.
You had better go to bed, " replied John
to her question; and then he sent George
after some cord, meanwhile standing in
front of Bob with cooked revolver. Had
he scanned his prisoner closely, he might
have detected something familiar in his
hneaments, but in careless contempt he
took him in with sweeping glance as
an average burglar, whose identity was
a question for the police
Bob had not uttered word. In the
complex falsity of his position he could
not indeed muster presence of mind to
resolve on any course, but regarded with
kind Of faulty the extraordinary direc-
ton events were taking. But when
George returned with the rope, and or
dered him to put his hands behind him,
he said, in tone so quiet that it sur
prised himself:
"Hold on, Mr.. McLane; this joke has
gone far enough. am Robert Withers.
at yonr service, and respectfully decline
to be considered in the light of burglar
any further"
Georges jaw dropped with astonish-
mentt, and John was scarcely less taken
aback.
Odd if he isn't ~ calculated the
former, after moment. in tone of in
credulous conviction, as he recognized
at once the voice and now the features of
Bob; "but where's your hair?,''
Bob blushed painfully.
" l wear wig" he replied, "and to-
night, coming downstairs after you
were all abed to get my ring which I had
left on the table here, 1 did not fully
dress. Going back, it was my luck to
stumble over that cursed stand in the
other room %
"But what did you hide for" asked
John, sharply.
Bob just touched his bald head and re-
piled /:
81 heard the ladies up"
John pitched the revolver on the sofa
and stood pensive. Finally he said, with
a sardonic smile:
"Mr. Withers, how do you propose to
get out of this? Shall 1 call in the
ladies and let you explain? They will
presently be wanting to know what we
have done with the burglar"
Bob made no reply. Already bitterly
humiliated, he saw no way of avoiding
indefinite and yet bitterer humiliations.
John thought q few minutes longer,
and then he said
"Take a seat, Mr.. Withers I have
proposition to make"
They sat down.
"You are aware" continued John, in
the calmest, most imperturbable tone,
" that 1 don't like your match with my
sister, and have done my best to break
it off. But she is an obstinate girl, and
L had pretty much given up hope.
These peculiar circumstances have most
unexpectedly put you in my power, and
l propose to make the most of my ad-
vantage. If were to call in Angie now
and introduce you, 1 feel tolerably well
assured that it would be the end tf your
matrimonial expectations in that quar-
ter. Still, you shall have chance for
your life. 1 will call her if you say SO ?"
And John rose.
"For Gods sake don't let her come
in here !" groaned Bob, in abject panic.
John grinned, stepped toward the
door, and then turned back irresolutely,
muttering:
wonder if IL wouldn't he th. sbo,teSt