The Portland daily press., 1877-08-11

| their singular demeanor.
| The bald man in stockings, troWsers 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
Bob's mind he felt an immense sense of re-
lief, instantly followed by more poignant
perception of the inextricable falsty and cruel
absurdity of his position. He had little time
to think it over and determine his hest
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, throw
ing glances of fear and aversion upon Boblas
they passed. Angie paused at the doorway
and asked.
''What are You going to do with the dread
| full man?"
Bob even now was able to notice that he
had never seen her so ravshingly beautiful as
now, with her golden hair falling over her
charming dishabille, while her ewes scintil-
lated with excitement. She would have
blushed to have been seen by him in such an
| undress toilet, but with an odd feeling of be-
ing double, he perceived that she now re-
garded him as she would have an animal.
George and will attend to him. You
| had better go to bed" replied John to her
question; and then ne 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 lineaments, but in
careless contempt he took him in with a
sweeping glance as an average burglar, whose
identity was question for the police.
Bob had not uttered word. In the COM
pick falsity of his position he could not in
deed muster presence of mind to resolve on
any course, but regarded with kind of fatu-
ity the extraordinary direction events were
taking. But when George returned with the
rope, and ordered him to put his hands be-
hind him, he said in tone so quiet that it
surprised himself:
"Hold on Mr.. McLane; this Joke has gone
far enough. l am Robert Withers at YOUR
service, and respectfully decline to be con-
sidered in the light of a burglar any further"
Georges jaw dropped with establishment,
and John was scarcely less taken aback.
I'D if it is'nt!" calculated the former.
after a moment, in tone of increduious con-
viction, as he recognized at once the voice
and now the features of Bob: ''but where's
your harp
Bob blushed painfully.
II wear wig" he replied, 'and tonight,
coming down stairs after my ring which /
had left on the table here, I did not fully
dress. Going back, it was my luck to STUN
BILE over that cursed stand in the other
roomp
"But what did you hide forp' asked John
sharply.
Bob touched his bald head and replied:
81 heard the ladies up.''
John pitched the revolver on the sofa and
stood. pensive. Finally he said with sardon-
ic 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 bur-
glar."
Bobsmade no reply. Already bitterly hui
inflated ne saw no way of avoiding indefinite
and yet bitter humiliations.
John thought few minutes longer. and
then he said:
Take seat, Mr.. Withers; have prop
osti0n to make.''
They sat down.
You are aware" continued John, in the
calmest, most impertubable tone, sthat I
don't like your match with my sister, and
nave done my best to break it off. But she
is an obstinate girl, and 1 had pretty much
gwen up nope. These peculiar circumstances
nave most unexpectedly put you in my pow
er, and propose to make the most of my ad-
vantage. Ii were to call in Angie now and
introduce you, feel tolerably well assured
that it would be the end of your matrimonial
expectations in that quarter. Still, YOU shall
have chance for your life. I will call her if
you say sop and John rose.
For Gods sake, don't let her come in
here" groaned Bob in AFFECT danic.
John grlnned,. stepped toward the door,
aud tnen turned back irresolutey, mutter-
ing e.wondo. g = ,,,-,.
way out OF it to call her DOWN." Then with
a saving reflection upon the uncertainty of a
Woman's course under any given set of cir
cumstances, he came back and reseating him.
self opposite Bob, said with sardonic smile:
80 you don't like my little suggestion of Civ
ing you one more chance with Angie? On
the whole think you are wise. The other
alternative is to leave the house at once. re-
llnqulsh your engagement and never see her
again. Make your choice, and as quickly as
as convenient, for Pm getting sleepy'
and he yawned lazy.
Bob sat in an attitude of utter detection.
staring at the ashes of the fire, which an hour
ago had blazed as brightly as his own love-
Ill sancles. He was completely demoralized
and almost incapable of thought or resolu-
lion: There was something SO pitiable in
Bob's odd-!ooking, dismantled figure, with
that queer, white dubious head, dimmed.
blank eyes and expression of crushing shame
and defeat that it would have moved almost
any one to compassion. 1t did stir COM
Functions in George. but there was no mercy
lnfJoh steel blue eyes, Two or three mir
utes passed in silence so complete that even
the almost noiseless movement of the French
clock on the mantel was distinctly audible.
You are taking altogether too long to
make up your mind, Mr.. Withers. 1t will
make shorter work to call Angie" finally
.tnhn chory, Ixr \ -
end. lie rose and stepped to the door as he
spoke.
1T won't be necessary, John-here 1
am!' said clear voice, with sharp ring in
1t that the family had learned to know meant
decisive work, and Angie stepped into the
room, her blue eyes flashing with indignation
and her lip trembling with scorn, beautiful as
a goddess.
Bob started up from his abject attitude and
stood facing her with the look OF a man wait
ing bis doom from the firing-squad. AS he
stood there, drawn up to bis full hight. with
Just a touch of appeal softening the defiance
OF MS expression, it was a manly face and
Inquire in spite OF all. But her brother re-
ceived Angles first attention.
you mean, cowardly fellowp' she said, in
tones of concentrated contempt 81 would
not have believed that men were so mean!
And | am almost as much ashamed of you,
MT; Withers,"' she added, turning to Bob
with softer, but yet angry voice. ''Did you
think, sir, that 1 took you for your beauty?
don't care if you wear forty wigs, or none.
You are absurdly vain, SIR" She was smil-
ing now. "You should know that when a
woman loves man it is of grace and not of
works; anyhow, john" she added, turning
to him. as if contrasting his slight figure
with Bob's fine physique, 'sMr. Withers
doesn't wear shoulder pads" With that part
ing shot she disappeared into the dining
room, in moment reappearing to say: '.Mr.
Withers, you may forgive them if you want
to. Pm by no means sure that shall. And
now go to bed all of you, and don't be keep
ing us awake"
There was an outward silence for few
moments. Then John said:
81 don't ask your pardon, Mr.. Wthers, be-
cause l meant to succeed, and Pm sorry I