The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-12-26

and slippers, peering under the doorsill. To the lady's indignant and almost hysterical demands for an explanation for his presence in the forbidden region, MT. Crusher cooliy stated what had brought him there, and finished up by asking Mrs. Rangel to be.so kind as to unlock the door and let him observe what his cherished object was doing inside. The widows reply was an angry con- mand hat he should suit himself with other apartments before that day week, and when we heard all the circumstances of the case, we could not blame young, unprotected woman for objecting to a male lodger who prowled about the house at unorthodox hours, and even had the audacity to show himself just outside her own room.
 The evening before MT. Crusher was to leave Mrs. Rangels little street boy arrived at our house in breathless haste to say that the servant at Langford villa had called out to him to run for us and ask us to go there as quickly as possible, as something dreadful had happened. We lost no time in obeying the summons, wondering greatly what could have taken place.
 A cab, with the driver and another man on the box, was at the gate, the hall-door was wide open, and it was evi- dent that commotion was going on in- side. We entered, and, no one appear ing to announce our arrival, we walked straight into the drawing-room, where a truly marvellous scene met our puzzled vision. Struggling in the grasp of a tall, HarLr m an vvh0sA noif cAArn~1 familiar to me, was our charming little friend Mrs. R angel, but the impulse which urged me for the moment to make some desperate effort to release her was effectu- ally checked by the stream of abuse and bad language which flowed unceasingly from her lovely lips, and was finally extin- euished by the sight of the defunct MT. R angel himself. Istared in blank amaze ment, but there he was, worn and hag- gard, but most indisputably alive more. over his wrists were adorned by a pair of handcuffs, and the stolid village police man sat by his side, looking as if he had but very faint idea of what it was all about.
 "What on earth is the meaning of all this2' faltered.
 <" I'm detective sir" said MT. Crush CT, laconically, as Mrs. Rangel ceased her struggles and her vituperations, and flushed scarlet with shame. It was in- deed MT. Crusher. recognized his voice and his figure, although he had dis carded the blue goggles and the brown wig.
 But don't understand," continued.
 I've had warrant out against this gent for months" he said, his profess sional pride prompting him to flu rther explanations; "forgery and embezzle- ment, sir |; took lot of trouble to nab him but the beetles did it."
 " But what has Mrs. Rangel donep
 i" Mrs Rangell Bless your innocence, she aint Mrs. Rangell Oh, she's deep un, she isl" he continued, contemplat. ing our lovely neighbor with involuntary admiration been hiding him ia this very house all these months almost pity she's got to be took for being mixed up in the affair. Now, then, Smith, it's time we were moving. You bring the gentleman along, and I'll look after you, madam; by your leave, please"
 And escorted by MT Crusher an d his stolid subordinate, MT. and Mrs. Rangel | disappeared from our astonished gaze 7rnfh.