The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-02-22
young lady who might not object to
good husband"


good husband"
Strange I"
"No, | don't think 80. She never was
mother"
"Perhaps not but then"
"Then what :"
"She might have some one else's
child, you know )" and hastened out
of the office and went to the railway
station, where l had the good fortune
to catch the night express for Liver
pool. So sure was that ] had got
upon the trail of the child abductor,
that felt annoyed at little delay along
the route. My mind was in glow of ex-
oitement. The game was big, but shy
and cunning. Nothing less than the
bird in the hand would make me feel
any certainty of success. / must reach
Liverpool before the City of Richmond
took her departure. If not, the pur-
suit would be longer, and might end
in failure even then. When half the
journey had been made, and the train
was whirling through the darkness at a
tremendous speed, there was a sudden
stoppage that foreboded no good. We
came to dead stop. One of the dri-
vers of the engine had broken down.
The situation was interesting and
rather exasperating to me. Some of
the passengers slept on, oblivious to
their surroundings. Not so with me.
l fretted and chafed with disappoint-
| ment
The hours wore on. When at length
the injury had been repaired, and the
train started on its course, had the
satisfaction of knowing that could
not reach Liverpool before the steamer
sailed. resolved to take the chances,
and so l curled myself up within my
own thoughts. Just as l had feared,
the steamer had sailed upon my arrival
at Liverpool.
My next thought was to cable 10 New
York, giving description of the wo-
man and child, and have the former ar
rested. This would bring others into
the case. l wanted the honor and re-
ward myself. Beside, after careful re-
Election, thought l might be on the
wrong scent. The personal description
seemed to tally.
The two tickets, no babe in the wo-
mans charge, and other circumstances
led me to think that after ALL might be
mistaken.
The thought of defeat drove me to
devising every scheme for pursuit.
A new idea popped into my head.
l rushed to the Office of the Guion
Line.
"When does your first steamer sail 2"
l inquired of the clerk.
Tomorrow afternoon" ..
"What's her name?'
"The Alaska
"The Alaska-eh ?"
eyes"
"She's quick one p
"Fastest vessel afloat."
"Do you think she can reach New
York before the Inmans City of Rich
mond which sailed this morning? q
81 should think so-will probably
distance her by day."
"That would make a distance of
over two days"
"What of that, barring accidents ?"
Thrusting my hand into my pocket,
l said
81 want cabin passage to New
York"
"Your name, sir y
"James Burleigh, an American de-
tective, anxious to cross the ditch and
get back home"
With somewhat contented spirit |
went to a hotel and waited for the
hour of the Alaskas departure. l felt
that | was still in the race, but my COM
petitor having such a start, while /
was left practically at the post,
was not so confident of winning, after
all.
| Anyway, l was glad to sail for the
[ land of my birth. The novelty of hav-
ling been sent to England and the Con
| tinent in quest of some noted crimi-
nails who were wanted in the States had
worn away, and l longed to see my
friends once more.
Nothing of special note occurred
during the passage across. The noble
vessel seemed as fleet as the wind. Day
by day studied with eagerness the
log of the vessel to learn our rate OF
speed. Good fortune favored us with
fair weather and sea.
| Upon our arrival at Quarantine we
learned that the City of Richmond had
not not yet reached port-in fact, was
not expected till the next day. came
to the city, engaged my rooms at the
hotel, and made what preparations
were needed for the execution of my
plans.
Lest the steamer might arrive al
night, I stayed that night at Staten
Island to be near at hand. The pre-
caution was unnecessary, as she did
not arrive till noon the next day.
| Accompanied by the health officer
and others, was soon on board, and
walked through the saloon cabin with
the nonchalent air of person who had
no other business than to hum tune
or twirl a cane, There was the usua
preparatory hustle for disembarking
My eye could not catch the object o
my search. Perhaps she was in he
state room. | would wait and see.
The vessel was rounding into he
pier but still no person who could b,
any stretch of the imagination be sal,
, to resemble the one / wanted.
i rambled backward and forward
| and ascended to the aft of the steamer
There stood tall, shapely woman
with her back turned toward me. Sh
was twirling her sunshade, and seem
ed absorbed in gazing at the man
sights that commanded her view.
l ventured to approach the rail- M
presence attracted her attention sh
turned her face toward me there wer
, momentary mutual glances. What
handsome face What a charmin
+ figure
Stepping nearer, l ventured in tn
D most polite manner, to speak.
"Glad to get back from your foreig
tour, / presume, Miss"
e "Benson is my name"
"Miss Benson, i took you to be Il