The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-01-25
AYES, yes" she replied, apparently absorbed.
"Bnt | hive brOkcn my slmd, my best one,

| lend me some hooks until | send 10 New
York;
"Wllngly. Wait here moment, and she
rose and went down the hall to her room. jus
| then David the colorcd waiter, came IN Will
Il Geographic message for Mrs. Bland. She
returned at once and took the message, read il
under the hall lamp: then she returned to hcl
room.
David" asked Of the waiter, Il did moi
know that you could telegraph to such an out
ofthc.way place rs this?'
at amt often that it is done, sir, The tele
graph station on the road is fourteen miles
from here, but you can get messages sent ~
the coaCh-tho' Mrs. BANDS message came on
horse, with man a-kiting."
II was none of my business how Mrs. BANDS
message came, though now ! recollect that on
her hotel bill there were quite number OF
charges for tccgraphic messages In mo-
mcnt more she was down stairs, holding IN
her hand quite number of large hooks. II
was not my fault, but the lady had taken up
with the package small fly hook, which, rs
she opened the parcel, puncturcd rosy hrst
finger, so that Il drop of blood had started. 81
am sorry" ! said may | not tie this handker-
chief around itE'
What, with the hook in my finger? Pull
il out. Please no fuss" Here her face looked
series Of archngs
But but" explained, really disturbed, II
can't pull it out, Can you bear the merest cut
with my pen-kniie?n
"Can |? Nonsense; Of course car" and
she held out IA taper white finger, and ! felt
my heart sink within me rs | made careful
probe, and, fortunately eXtricating the barb,
drew out the hook which deliberately put
nto my pockctboOk. would she faint now ~
asked myself
"a glass of water" SAID anxiously.
what fory To dip my finger iny Ridicu.
lous! will put it in my mouth. Please do
not destroy your handkerchief You will eX-
cusc me sucking my finger like baby while
talk There, it's all over now, young gentle
man. | never scream at Il mouse, go into hys-
terics over caterpillar, and do not blink at
lightning
"You are very brave little woman then.
Here take tins Geographic message which you
have dropped and handed the message to
her.
messages a day. Now can you put that togetll-
er with my dozen newspapers"
Il cannot-I do not care to, 1t is not any
Of my business, Mrs. Bland. | am not curl
GUS" replied
"Wcll, | am--vcry much so--and my bust
ness is to-ah-" here she stopped, for DAVID
jus, then rang II bell, which meant that the
stage coach with the passengers from the rail
road was coming. The coach stopped ut the
house first, then continued its journey to II
small tavern further up the coast
you were saying. Mrs Bland-pray con
linuc."
"All1I can tell you is this, sir, that in that
coach You will find man you hardly expect
ed to see. Go and look" With that Mrs.
Bland famed herself quite composedly and
went to her room.
went to the coach, not understanding what
the woman meant Some three women got
out of the vehicle, followed by an old gentle
man, who had To be helped out-cvidcntly IN
invalid On the box by the driver was man,
who rs | approached, lit IA fuse, and with it
his cigar. His face | did not recognize. |
then felt some little curiosity to find out what
Mrs Bland meant about the man 81 hardly ex-
pcclcd to see" did not peep into the coach,
/ was aided by David, who, with lantern,
was looking for Il parasOl one Of the lady pas
scngcrs had left. There was man, apparently
asleep. Though It was summer "a handker-
chief was partially thrown over his face. One
glimpse was enough Though his whiskers
had been cut and his reddish hair stained
black, 1t was the face Of George Rowland, the
assistant teller of our bank! He looked at me
in an agonlzcd way, and then put his fingers
to his lips and said in low broken voice:
My God! Henry, | am thief, trying to es-
capc-to escape, know they are after me"
Then he shuddcrcd. II am mad-Crazcd-
have lost my head. You hear? DO not be
tray mel"
40 Dickerson'sw cried the driver, and off
went the coach. From Dickcrson's | knew
the small boat run to Marthas Vineyard and
the Massachusetts coast stood appalled,,
da2cd and speeches..
Mrs. Bland met me on the vcrandah, with
some flowers in her hand which cXhalcd deep,
luscious perfume The odor quite slckened me.
Ladies and gents" cried the good-naturcd,
familiar landlord in his shirt sleeves st isn't
down on the bill Of fare, but we have been
quite short %. fruit, peaches, and SIGH, for the
last three days, and nary boardcr has grum-
blcd. | came across Il fine lot of fruit this at
tcrnOOn, and they is sol in the dining-room,
and do you all go in and help yourselves
Mrs. Bland was near me, and clapped her
hands with childish glee, notwithstanding
her pricked finger. "Will you take me in? ~
she asked, quite naturally
had no heart for peaches still | offered the
woman my arm. There was "a group of noisy
boerdcrs at long table, but, through David's
care, Mrs. Bland secured Il small kitchen table,
ON which was placed adish of peaches, thanked
with huge halfmOons OF watermelon.
you saw himy' asked Mrs. Agnes Bland,
pairing peach with silver pocket lruitkniic,
which she drew from her pocket. Dear me +!
the juice Of the peach gets into my cut finger,
and really stings."
"Saw him, Mrs Bland! For Gods sake
what does this all mcan"'
IF like cliupstOups better than free stones. |
should Inc so much Obliged to you il you would
pare "a peach for me? My finger makes me
so AWKWARD
Are you Nemesis, Mrs. BlandY'
"A what? | don't know what that means
Explain"
"Oh, the man in the coach, Now, sir, listen.
The $3.50, KoTcct,' you wrote on that bill of
mine gave me The clue 10 Your handwriting.
Mr. Bland--thcr" Is "a Mr. Band-sent me
down here after you. Those figures and k-or-
rect cleared you. There was no figures like
yonrs in the altered accounts George How
land was the thief. | was glad when | could
congratulate you ON your good luck