Mexico weekly ledger., 1882-05-04
.1 MEXICO MISSOURI THURSDAY MAY f. 1882
derrating of his strength, she an
nounced her intention of holding him
until assistance should arrive.

derrating of his strength, she an
nounced her intention of holding him
until assistance should arrive.
To him the situation was not with
out its charm. 1t does not often
happen to any of us that pretty girl
will insist on sitting next us and hold
ing our hands-and that she was
pretty, exceedingly pretty, Anstruther
managed to satisfy himself in spite
of the stingy light. Once OF twice he
addressed a remark to his fair captor,
but she discouraged all attempt at
conversation.
And so they sat in silence, while
the candle burned low and finally
went out, and the cold, gray light of
dawn crept into the room. Even
this did not cause Lotta to change
her position. And, looking curious
ly at her, the young man discovered
that his stern guardian was asleep.
How long and dark were the lashes
resting on the fair cheek, he thought,
gazing down at the sweet, peaceful
face framed i'm it's wealth of nut-brown
hair. Surely none of the young la
dy's ball dresses could set off her
beauty as did that old blue wrapper.
Tom was strongly tempted in his
character of robber to steal kiss,
but there was certain odd chivalry
in his composition that kept him
from taking any advantage of her un-
consciousness. He withdrew his
hands from her without awakening
her-such cold, little, soft hands!
And no wonder. The chill breath of
early morning had made him shiver,
although it was June.
He might as well make her comfort
able before he went. He groped his
way into the hall. On the hat-stand
lay heavy shawl. In it he wrapped
his unconscious captor as well as he
could, then escaped through the still
open window.
u y
If Miss Desmond was not the belle
of the college ball, it was because,
strictly speaking, there were no Ion
ger bellies of balls. But, in the Ian
guage of other young ladies, she ''re-
ceived a great deal of attention.
And how she did enjoy herself!
About the eleventh hour Cousin
jim begged to introduce his friend,
Mr.. Anstruther.
Lotta's large eyes grew larger with
astonishment. Mr.. Anstruther COM
posedly requested the pleasure of
dance, and before she could collect
herself sufficiently to refuse, his arm
encircled her, and they were gliding
over the polished floor in perfect time
and measure.
''You have my step exactly" said
Miss Desmond, when they stopped.
''Have 1? Then it must be a di-
rect inspiration, for never was
known to keep time with any one be-
FORE"
Now did ever a man waltz to per-
feetion without knowing it? Lotta
looked at him a little contemptuously.
Her thoughts did him injustice. Tom
was not affecting modesty, only max
ing talk to keep off the question he
expected.
"May 1 take you into the library?
There is an anxious-looking youth I
should like to avoid. I suspect that
I have stolen his dance.''
eff you have, you are only pursu-
ing your profession as a robber,"
laughed Miss Desmond. "What
were you doing that night in uncle's
dining-room?''
Then it all came out, and Tom ex-
planned and apologized, seated in an
alcove of the college library.
"And how frightened you were
when I and the pistol appeared on
the scene!" said the young lady, ma
Gciously. --
II was not" he said, very indig-
nantly.
ssYou turned pale.''
s'Then we must have been well
matched pair for courage. The pis-
tol shook so in your hand that I was
afraid it would go off accidentally.
That was the worst feature of the case
for do not yet believe that you
would have been bloodthirsty enough
to shoot me.''
II am sure would not. was i'm.
mensely relieved to wake up and find
my captive gone.
"What did you do?''
Counted the spoons and went to
bed"
''The spoons were all right. There
was but one thing stolen that night. D
"Merey! what was that?"
"Only the burglars heart. ."-sen'
timentally. -....
Lolita looked at him and began tt
laugh. Then she said:
''You might advertise for it as peo
pie do for stolen articles. You nigh
say 3 tOf no yaItIe To any one but fht