Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1883-04-22

MIN lurriedly, ed that ne can ASK no
further questions, and then go up stairs
to the second floor. The over seer's
deck is close by the door Of the compos-
ing room, and It was on that desk l saw
your Ms"
aOh, thank you; will manage, never
fear.U L exclaimed, boldly. "Good
night, Mrs. Miller. Good night, Miss
Miller; thank you very much for your
kindnees."
With hssty steps I set forth, and I re-
member now how brightly the stars
were flashing in the dark blue SKY, and
how quiet aud calm they seemed in
contrast to my own wild and luminous
feelings.
When arrived at the office l walk
ed quickly forward, past the timekeep.
er's desk. He was AT his post, and | TO.
member now how sharply he cried out
amer me To know what wanted. To
his query / returned hurried answer
almost unintelligible, to the effect that
Gall was right, and that wanted to
see Mr.. Brown, the overseer, IN a great
bury, with some. important copy F"
l felt il was now "neck or nothing"
and i resolve to act as quickly and
bcldly ss possible.
fastening up the rickety stairs 10y
the by, why are the stairs to the com
posing rooms always 80 rickety?l as
last as could, / presently arrived at
the composing room under the care Of
Dir. Brown. Part Of it was in darkness
for nearly all the men had gone home.
Some OF those who remained
turned sharply at my entrance, and
scrutipized me closely. This was the
crucial point, and | knewit. Summon
ing all my boldness, therefore, | walked
toward the desk aud said. in as conf.
dent tone as | could assume: sob is
MIR. Brown gone? Well, l will place the
copy ON his desk. He will know what
1t is"
At that moment / saw my long lost
MS; my eyes, knew, must have
flashed with eager joy; / stretc he'd
forth my hand and grasped it'll On I!
what thrill of delight passed through
me!
At that moment, I heard cold, mat
ter. of-fact voice near saying:
"What copy is 1t you have brought,
sir?" =.
A cold perspiratlon broke out all
over my forehead. This troublesome
man would prevent me from taking IL,
now that it was literally in my hands.
/ answered:
"Copy from Miss Miller; would you
see the number of the last page?
The man looked at me curiously :
"Oh, / daresay it's all right" he SAID.
ANYHOW, there is no hurry" He evil
IDENTIFY regarded Miss Mlller's "cOpy'
as quite a secondary affair, although.
dearest girl, it meant much to her.
However" said, very politely: II
shall be much obliged if you would tell
ME the number OF the last page; Miss
Miller particularly wsIed 10 know
that 1t Iran on" all right. 1t would
not take you minute"
Politeness conquered him, as 1t usu.
ally does everybody, and he turned
away muttering.
Instantly l whipped my long sought
Ms. off the desk, into my pocket, and
followed him. In a minute | was At
his side, and he could not have told
had remained at the desk second
after he left it. The last page of Miss
Miller's copy was soon found, and OF
course the few pages had brought fol-
lowed it exactly.
With many apologies, therefore, for
troubling him 30 late at night. | de-
parted, too elated at my success to think
what might occur when the loss was
discovered.
AS descended the stairs, heard one
of the men cry: "Everything will be
stopped in the morning, in order to get
..l nd II nH u
I thought: "No, my friend, you are
wrong for once, for the Ms. is now in
my possession" At the door the time
keeper stopped me. He was not to be
fooled out of an answer this time "What
name, sir, please, and on what busi-
ness"
satisfied him, and WAS juct about to
pass out into the street, when the man
to whom had spoken in the compOs.
ing room hurried down stairs, and ex'
claimed:
"Not so fast there, please; fork out
that MS. you've stolen"
".
stood stone still, and all the blood
seemed to leave my face until even my
lips were ashy white. My heart seemed
to stop beating, and SO overwhelmed
was | with shame end confusion that
longed for the GROUND to suddenly open
and swallow ME up.
But summoned all my fortitude and
answered, as boldly as possible: "How
dare you speak to me thus: 81 swear |
have no Ms. but what is my own"
Every likely" sneered the man, "but
You'll excuse me If ask to be satisfied.
hot 70 hn
all in type this time tomorrow has
gone from Browns desk, and no ones
near 1t but you"
"You aud me-" I replied. "You must
remember we both stood there. How
could / have taken it without your
knowledge"
"How do pickpockets clear out your
watch?" said the man. "iou light
fingered gentry can do anything"
My face flushed hot enough now. L
raised my cIenchsd fist. Say that
again. lreplied, land l will knock you
down"
mo doubt" sneered he; "anybow
let's see you searched. You don't go
till I'm satisfied. So turn out your
pockets; l thought 1t was queer, so
much fuss about that there two penny
half penny copy of Miss Miller's that
amt wanted for an age to come! Now,
sir, II you please, turn 'em out, or shall
we send for a lobby? This ERE Ms.
was left in my charge, you know it's
very particular. / shall get into the
DEVILS own row If there's anythin'
happens to 1t. 'Tain't likely L be
gofn' to get into row for you, is it!'
every WELL" l said coolly, 81 will
soon satisfy you. Let US go into this
room" And I pointed to the open
door of the waiting room, and motion
ed them to enter. In making this prop
csition, had a vague Idea that In the
minute while theil backs were turned
l would transfer the Ms. from my
pocket to my hat or my boot, but just
at this critical moment fair white
hand suddenly thrust open the swing
door leading into the lobby, near which
stood, and from out the shadows on
the other side q sweet voice, which
thrilled through me with strange de.
light, and which I bad never heard
before to-day, whispered softly, "Give
me the MS"
No sooner said than done. The
white hand was Withdrawn the door