Sharp County record., 1877-09-28

tbe bookcase, and the other close to IT,
Upon Bob's paralyzed senses fell the
sharp words of John:
"We'ye got you Get down"
He did not move, but at the summons
his soul, with inexpressible reluctance
and disgust, began to return from tne
end of its floating thread, and relnhaolt
the quarters for which it could not quite
shake off responsibility.
sect up, or III shoot said George
"Oh, don't shoot him" cried Mrs
McLane, while Bob, still motionless,
dimly hoped he would.
"Get up!n reiterated John; ana 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
book lease, and his wet, white, wretched
face blankly directed toward the group
"a most pitiable figure. =,
"Jump down. said John; land if
YOU try to escape you will get shot"
Bob let himself down without regard
to how he was to alight, and in conSe-
ouence was severely bruised against a
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 that they were dealing
with an ordinary burglar, and the others
were apparently quite as devoid of sus-
picion as to his identity. His wig! He
had forgotten all about it. That ex-
planned their sins s.llar 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
luxurious locks who bade them good
night few hours previous. As this
fact and its explanations broke upon
Bobs mind, he felt an immense sense OF
relief, instantly followed by a poignant
perception of the inextricable falsity and
cruel absurdity ofhis position. He had
little time to think it over and determine
his best course.
John stepped forward, and with the
point of his canesword mOtiOned him
into a 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?n
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 deShabiUe,
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 an animal.
"George and | will attend to him.
You had better, to bed replied John
rt5 iner qutesnSS oanrif -1tf1err- he. -sent
George after some cord, meanwhile
quietly standing in front of Bob with
cooked revolver.
Bob had not uttered a 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 fatuity the extraordinary di-
rection events were taking. But when
George returned with the rope and order
ed him to put his hands behind him he
said, in tone so quiet that it surprised
himself
Hold on, Mr.. McLane; this joke has
gone far enough. | am Robert With
ers, at your service, and respectfully de-
cline to be considered in the light of a
burglar any further"
Georges jaw dropped with astonish-
ment, and John was scarcely less taken
aback.
"Blamed if he isn't" calculated the
former, after a 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?n
Bob blushed painfully.
"Iwear wig," he replied, "and to.
night, coming down stairs after you
were all abed to get my ring, which ]
had left on the table here, | did not fully
dress. Going back, it was my luck tc
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 passive. Finally he said, with
a sardonic smile:
"Mr. Withers, how do you propose
to get out of thisP Shall | call in the
ladies and let you eXplainP They will