The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-08-09

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 sweeping glance as an
average burglar, whose identity was 9
question for the police.
Bob had not uttered q word. In the
complex falsity of his position he could
not indeed muster presence of mind to re.
solve on any course, but regarded with q
kind of faulty the extraordinary direction
events were taking. But when George
returned with the rope, and ordered him
to pu his hands behind him, he said, in a
tone 30 quiet that it surprised himself:
"Hold on, Mr.. McLane; this joke has
gone far enough. am Robert Withers,
at your service, and respectfully decline
to be considered in the light of burglar
any further"
Georges jaw dropped with astonish.
ment. and John was scarcely less taken
aback.
Blessed if he isntl" calculated the
former, after moment, in atone of incred
ulous conviction, as he recognized at once
the voice and now the features of Bob;
"but where's your hair?"
Bob blushed painfully.
Il wear 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 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:
IL heard the ladies' up"
John pitched the revolver on the sofa
and stood pensive. Finally he said, with
sardonic smile:
"Mr. Withers, how do you propose to
get out of this: Shall call in the Ia
dies 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 few minutes longer, and
then he said:
"Take seat, Mr.. Withers; have a
proposition to make.''
They sat down.
"YOu are aware" continued John, in
the calmest, most imperturbable tone,
THAT don't like your match with my sis
ter, and have done my best to break It off.
But she is an obstinate girl, and I had
pretty much given up hope. These pecu.
liar circumstances have most unexpected
ly putyOu in my power, and propose to
make the most of my advantage. If
were to call in Angie now and introduce
you, feel t0lerably we'll assured that it
would be the end of your matrimonial
expectations in tEat quarter. Still. you
shall have chance for your life. will
call her if you say sol" And John rose.
For Heavens sake, don't let her come
in here!' groaned Bob. in abject panic.
John grinned, stepped toward the door,
and then turned back irresOlutely, mutter.
ing:
Wonder If it wouldn't be the shortest
way out of it to call her downy' Then, with
q saving reflection upon the uncertainty Of
q woman's course under any given set oil
circumstances, he came back, and reseat-
ing himself opposite Bob, said, with q sar.
dOnic smile: ESQ you don't like my lit.
tie suggestion of giving you one more
chance with Angie? On the whole,
think you are wise. The other elterna-
tive is to leave the house at once, relin-
quish your engagement, and never see Ter
again. Make your choice, ind as quickly
" convenient, for I'm getting sleepy, -
and he yawned lazily.
Bob sat in an attitude of utter de-
lection. staring at the ashes of the fire,
which an hour ago had blazed as brightly
as his own love-lit fancies. He was com
pletely demoralized and almost incapable
of thought or resolution. There was
something 80 pitiable in Bob's odd look.
ing. dismantled figure, half dressed, with
t1at queer, white. dubious head, dimmed,
black eyes, and expression of crushing
shame and defeat, that it would have
moved almost any one to compassion. 1t
did stir computations in George, but there
was no mercy in Johns still, blue eyes.
Two or three minutes passed in a silence
so complete that even the almost noiseless
movement of the French clock on the man.
tel 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
said John, sharply, his patience quite at
an end. He rose aud stepped to the door
as he spoke.
ut won't be necessary, John-here
amp 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 q goddess.
Bob started up from his abiect attitude
and stood facing her with the look of Z
man waiting his doom from the firing.
squad. As he stood there, drawn up e
his full height, with just touch of az
peal softening the defiance of his EXPIRE D
sion, it was 8 manly face and figure il
spite Of al. But her brothers receive ed
Angles first attention.
"You mean, cowardly fellowsl'' sShe
said, in tones of concentrated contem pt
II would not have believed that m er
were 80 mean! And am almost a. much
ashamed of you, Mr.. Withers," she add
ed, turning to Bob, with softer but .Tel
angry voice. ibid you think, sir, that
took you for your beautye l don't car,
II you wear forty wigs, or none. '4oz
are absurdly vain, SIR" She was smil in,
now. You should know that whe %
woman loves . man it 10 of grace and NO
OF works. Anyhow, John" she added
turning to him, - If contrasting his s)igh
figure with Bob's fine physiqxs, {" Nj
Withers doesn't wear shoufder. pa ds.
With that parting shot abe disappeane,
into the dining. room, in . moment reap
pearing, to say: :" Mr.. Withers, you ma!
forgive them II you want to. i'm by n,
means sure that 1shall. And now 70 to bid
oil fyou, and don't be keeping ~ awsika,.'
There was m awkward silence for
few moments. Then John said:
~ don't ask your pardon, Mr.. Wit'hera
because meant to succeed, and I'm % RI.
! didn't. But I know when I'm be aNen
AID you need expect no further cppo ,itiol
from me. Let's 90 to bed .'-EdHe ar
Bsl9essy, in A2psstons' Journal.
Repeated experiments have p n,ve,
that potzto sproun, which are gen orall,
thrown away, will produce Just a., zoo;
potatoes. just q early and Just ~ man,
. the tubers themselves. In tirAas 8
scarcity the SPROUTS may be planted anl
the tubegs used foe the tsble. Nsrot