The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-03-27

1 answer.
"He's late tonight" said the frs,
\ voice. in gruf undertone.
You are sure he's taking the dia-
monds home?"
.'Sure as death. / was at IS when
he gave the order Send them to nv
shop at O'clock, says he, and I will
take them home with me-. And he
gave the address of Bainbridge & Son. ~
"But are you sure he will pass here?''
'Of course he will. He lives in the
next street. He'll come"
Suppose he shows fght?'
fight"
Every word fell on Dollie's ears clear
and distinct in the silence of the night.
They would rob him, these dreadful
men, if nobody warned him. They
would spring out upon him as he passed,
and strike bim down before he knew
there was danger.
He must not come alone, unprepared.
/ False lover, false friend as she felt he
was. she could not go on her way and
leave him to death.
When she stood up the pain of her
ankle was almost uncomfortable; but she
clung 10 the railing and SO limped along
one street. The others seemed in
| terninable.
Often she crawled through the wet
slush of the streets; often on one foot
hoped painfully along, till the shop
was reached at last, and the light in
the counting house still burned.
The side door for the working girls
was still unfastened, and Dollie entered
there, reaching the countiNg- house
| soaking wet, white and trembling, to
confront both Edgar Bainbridge and
his father
Unheeding their exclamation of dis
, may and surprise. she told her story
with white lips but steady voice.
waiting for me?" cried Edgar Balm
bridge. "The scoundrels!'
''You bought diamonds at IS to-
day?" asked his father.
"a parure for Miss Wilson, sir.
wish to present them, with your per-
mission, on Thursday. All, look al
that poor girl!'
For, overcome by pain, fatigue, and
gered toward the door and tainted upon
the floor.
A hasty call summoned the porter,
and in few minutes the porter's wife
appeared, rubbing her eyes, but full Of
womanly resources for the comfort OF
the girl.
A cab was procured, and clothed in
dry garments, furnished by the good.
hearted woman, and. escorted by the
porter, Dollie was driven home.
The next morning walking proved tc
be impossible, and Dollie was obliged
to call upon her landlady for assistance
to dress, wondering at herself little
for caring to get up.
But before noon, sitting in the parlor,
her lame ankle upon a cushion, she was
surprised by two gentlemen callers-no
other than Bainbridge and son in per.
son-and lady who introduced herself
as Miss Wilson.
I'VE have all come to thank you, -
the lady said. ''and I have come to
carry you home with me. These gen
tlemen owe you their lives; owe you
my diamonds"
.'But what did you do?" asked Dol
lie.
1--WE captured the robbers by mas.
terly stratagem," said the old gentle
man. Edgar sauntered past the alley
way with revolver all ready in his
hand, while !, with three policemen,
went round and entered the alley soft
ly behind the villains. Taken by sur
prise, their retreat cut off, they were
easily made prisoners. You understand,
we could not arrest them unless they
actually attacked Edgar. AS it is. how.
eyer, there was very pretty little tus-
sic before we came up. Bless me, dear
child-don't faint-he's all rightr'
MY footr' Dollie murmured, 81
sprained my ankle last night. 1t was
to stop to rest it that sat down on the
church wall.''
You didn't come all the way back
with sprained ankle?"
Eyes, SIR"
'You are a heroine" cried Miss Will
son. '.But, my DEAR" and here the
heiress drew nearer to Dollie and took
her hand in a close clasp, 1--WE have
been hearing this morning pretty
little love story, of which you also are
the heroine, and have come to see il
you will be my guest until Thursday,
and then make poor Edgar the hap
piest of men by assisting at a double
wedding"
Dollie's eyes, slowly dilating as the
lady spoke, were open to their fullest
extent as this climax was reached.
'Edgar" she said. Il thought he
was to marry you on ThursdayP''
A musical laugh answered her.
Calling the gentlemen at the same
time from the window, where they had
sauntered during this little scene, Miss
Wilson looked at them.
How CouIdock Got Even.
A few years ago there was well
known actor by the name of Mexican
Buchanan, or "Old Buck" as ne was
familiarly called. At hotel at Cairo
Ill, he met Charley Couldock. The
night was disagreeable; the meeting
was merry one. After partaking 81
few glasses game of poker was pro.
posed. Now, Couldock liked the sport,
but was not an expert. Buchanan was
not that he was ever known to cheat,
but he always won. In short time
Couldock was ''cleaned out" and the
party went to bed. Next morning
Buck met Charley and said, 81 am
going out West for little shooting
recreation, but would like to act while
out there as we'll. Do you know the
manager at Cheyenne?" Il do" said
the old man. '.Well." said Buck" 81
wish you would give me line to him. y
Certainly" said Couldock. and he
Immediately wrote the letter. 1t read
thus:
Cairo, ILL.,, Dec. T. 1S77.-Mr. Ruskin-My
Dear Sir: This will be handed you by my
Fri Mr. MnH Raanh han nj
much merit He comes to your town on pr,t
fessional business. He plays Viroinius, Rich
ehcu, Hamlet, Richard III, Shy.ock and
poker; he plays poker best. Your obedieE
servant, C. A. COuldock.
-DeraUer Republican.
Convince this young lady, Edgar,
she said, ''that your affection for me il
only that of dutiful son, and that