Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1885-02-05
A SCAPEG0AT.

A SCAPEG0AT.
Miss Doris Bracondalc was bending
over glass counter strewn with dainty
pocketbooks and card-cases of every
imaginable shape. She was noticea-
bly, pretty girl, and stragglcrs through
the colonnade where she stood gave
vent TO an occasional "Voila la belle
Anglaise ~ or "What a lovely face !"
quite in a whisper, of course.
The object of her quest was a case,
to contain photograph suitable for
carrying in gcntleman's pocket, the
photograph being Il reelection Of her
own sweet face, and the pocket for
which it was destined that of Mr..
Felix Wyatt, her betrothed lover
After much delberation she selected
pretty toy in white leather with 4
spray of forgct-me.not and a beetle,
anatomically wrong, in one corner. 1t
was lined with the paleSt blue satin,
and was altogctheran unsuitable thing
to place in mans pocket with keys,
cigars and small change.
The afternoon concert on the gravel
sweep before the COnversationhaus
was being heralded by the usual bevy
of nurscmaids and children. The
chairs, ranged about beds and groups
of tropical flowers, gradually filled
with motley collection.
Before the programme was fairly
under way Miss Bracondale and her
mother had joined the auditors; and
at the close of the overture Mr. Wyatt
sauntered toward them.
Felix Wyatt was 4 happy-loOking
young fellow OF twenty-five, arrayed
in tweed suit, English shoes, Glen
garry bonnet, and with scarab in his
cravat.
where were you hidden that |
missed you on the propenadc?" he
asked, lounging back on the springy
iron seat.
Il was choosing this for you, Felix, "
said Doris, putting the fair leather
case into his hand, "YOu will carry
it everywhere with you while you are
away, will you not? Promise"
"Ycs, ! promise, and | am very
much obliged to you. 1t is lovcly-a
great deal too nice for me-" answered
Felix, looking at the photograph. 1t
was the likeness Of Il girl with silky
dark hair, beautifully arched brows
and dark eyes, large and intense, set
in face OF exquisite mould.
"llow long will you be away, Fe.
liXP' Mrs. Bracondale asked.
"a week at the most"
at is provoking that you have to 60
Just now," remarked Doris, "when
the races and grand illuminations are
about to begin"
at is indeed. always ayowed my
self ready to see Mrs. Delamore and
her children safely installed at Brus'
sells, but | never supposed the sum-
mons would come at such an inoppor'
tune time. To say that wish them
all at the bottom of the sea would be
unchrstian, | suppose, but, "
Don't give expression to such wick
ed IDEAS" said Doris, pouring out the
coffee which a waiter had placed al
her elbow "if we speak any more Of
your departure, | shall make a spec
tacle of myself by shedding tears
in the coffee.
"The Winthropes are bearing dowr
upon us" said Mr.. Wyatt. shortly af
forwards, in an undertone, land vii
beat retreat. as | have some little
matters to attend to q; shall see yor
again this evening"
On the first opportunity that Offered
itself Wyatt took Doris's photograph
from the bcetlc-be diZencd case, ant
put it between the leaves of his pocket
book, intending at his first idle mo
ment to transfer it from there to
serviceable black leather envelope il
his possession. Tho little case h,
wrapped carefully in soft white pape
and slowed away with package o.
letters, some withered flowers, and ;
curl of silky dark hair, all jcalousl.
guarded by lock and key.
"She is dear little soul, but no
practical" he soliloquized.
Arrived at Mrs. Ripon's rooms il
the Sophienstruasse, Wyatt found tina
lady in great excitement and distress
"Oh, Felix" she began, 81 hav
} been robbed of my diamond ear
rings, Leslie's superb gift, by black
eyed witch of a woman! But 81
down-mlnd the cat!" Mrs. Ripo
sank back among the cushions and be
gan again, ~ had advertised for
governess, rs you perhaps know, an
! this morning, when | was dressing,
was qnite prepared for tho announce
ment that II lady had inquired for m
on business. My toilet table was seal
tered over with jewels, my diamond
among the rest, but | never dreame
of any danger, and had the strange
shown directly up to my room. l
the handsome, high-bred-looking We
man who presented herself before mt
could scarcely imagine an applicar
/ for the post of governess, but such WI
her errand.
| did not quite like her looks, a
though she had recommendations frol
friends of mine, so | told her | woul
I let her know my decision by letter o
, the following day. At that instant
heard child scream in the street b,
low, and flew to the window an
,, looked out, but finding no accidel
had happened 1 came back to bid m
: visitor adieu. She took her departui
gracefully. Mime. de Konarski WI
the name on the card and l mental
:, set her down as Pole of good fami
/, but uncertain fortune.
a Half an hour after my would-l
; governess had gone | missed my di
' monds; the clever creature had take
+ them out of the case and closed itagai
: while was standing at the window.
o "That's a serious accusation to max
v Mrs. Ripon. Are you quite sure thei
: is no mistaken"
"How can there be, Felixp Iwii
! with all my heart there was son
It chance of a mistake"
T. at is the most daring robbery
O. ever heard Of. But we must lose l
: . time in handing the matter over to Il
police. f"
~ sent word directly to the watc