The Penn's Grove record., 1886-10-09

81 should prefer to nave the matter
properly cleared up" said the Rev.
Septimus, with some dignity. "And L
have to request advice with regard to
recovering my own property, which
has been stolen"
"As for that, sir, ] fancy you have
but a poor chance" observed Mr..
Doughty. eff it is Nine. Sally who
has played you this trick 1 give you
next to nc hope Of hearing OF the watch
o anything else; she is one of the most
artful minxes aver heard Of. We will
do our best, but" He shrugged his
shoulders. Mr.. Stanmore, here, will
go with you, and he can take down all
necessary particulars.
81 regret exceedingly this unfortu-
nate affair. my dear SIR" remarked
Lord Airy, although l am thankful
to regain possession of my wife's neck
lace, not only for its own value, but
because it was a gift from her father,
who is dead. Good day, Mr.. Hasling-
dean. l, for one, do not doubt for a
moment all has happened as you say.
l trust you may DO able to trace the
real culprit and recover your own pro-
perty."
"Thank YOU" said the rector, IN a
more or less hollow voice. Then he
went out again, the station-master
walking beside him, the two detectives
following at a short distance, the por-
ter carrying the rectOr's wraps and
other belongings bringing up the rear.
But as they passed down the platform
a big, buTly individual, recognized by
the station-master as one of the chief
directors, met the group. He CHANGED
by good fortune to be an intimate friend
of the rector's; he had been an old col
lege chum.
Hello, my dear Haslingdean," he
cried, Selling him by the hand. "Well
met. | am delighted to see you.
Where are you coming from? Been
indulging in one Of your rare holidays,
ehP You don't often afford yourself
that indulgence"
II have been staying with some
friends for a short time, and am now
returning home" said the Rev. Septi-
mus. Il have just met with an UNI
pleasant adventure, however, and l
hail you as a kind d%eliverer." In "A
few hasty words he explained the dilem-
lemma in which he found himself.
HIS friend, while sympathizing with
his griefs, could not help bursting into
a tit of laughter.
You are not the first fellow who
has been made a fool of by a pretty
woman. and l suppose you won't be
the last. But it IS a deuce of a bother
tor you. especially about the watch y
said his friend, still laughing. Its all
right he added to the station-master,
who touched his cap lightly and re-
tired. Il am going on to London; L
will go with you as far as your station
if you like
The rector gave the necessary in
structions to Mr.. Stanmore, and re-en-
tered the train with his friend. He
finished his journey III safety, perhaps
not a wiser but individually a sadder
man than when he had started.
Gladly would he nave locked the
fact of his losses within the safe keep
ing of his own breast, but it was hope
less to conceal it from his h~ousekeepei
and the servants. Day by day he
waited for a CLEAN of hope, but III
VAN; his treasured watch and his
dressing-case had gone from his gaze
like the last traces of some beautiful
dream.
Perhaps, when his adorlng parish
toner's discover his sad loss they will
present him with another watch or
some similar token of admiration and
affection.