The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-07-31

| ing that ne had been duped like the sim.
| plest Moses Primrose, was too much to bear
with calmness. A gentleman was with the
| station master-the Earl of Airly. He had
| come by the train which had conveyed the
rector and his too bewitching fellow pas
| senger. In few brief words Mr.. Doughty
explained the state of affairs. The Earl
| lifted his hat with kindly courtesy to the
| hero of the unlucky adventure who drew
| forth the case containing the necklace.
II have not the slightest doubt all is as
| you say" observed the Aation-master
| gravely; ''but | must not acc on my own
responsibility, sir. l have only your own
word-you do not seem to have any Gre
| dentialS proving that you are really Rev
Mr. Haslingdean, and we get so imposed
upon"
81 have letters in my pocket directed to
me, y pleaded the Rev. Septimus
'Well. That is something. But this is
a serious matter. / should probably get
myself into trouble if let you go without
being absolutely sure you are what you
profess to be-" demonstrated the station
| master
"See. have only one more station to
reach II you require positive proof, will
you let one of these gentlemen come with
me! Ny trap will be in waiting-I have
only about half a mile to drive; if he can
| come with me, he can drive with me to my
house." said the rector.
''Yes. | think that would do. feel
| sure IL IS all as you say, but you know, sir
-" apologized the station-master
81 should prefer to have the matter prop
erly cleared up" said Rsv. Septimus, with
some dignity. tAnd have to request adj
vice with regard to recovering my own
property, which has been stolen.n
Gas for that sir, | fancy you have but
III it is Madam Sally who has played YOU
this trick | give you next to no hope of
| hearing of the watch or anything else; she
Iks ono of the most artful minxes ever 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 the necessary particulars"
Il regret exceedingly this unfortunate
affair, my dear sir" remarked Lord Airly,
although l am thankful to regain posses
| sion of my wife's necklace, not only for
| its own value, but because it was gift
from her father who is dead. Good day,
Mr.. Haslingdean. for one do not doubt
for moment all has happened as you say.
trust you may be able to trace the real
culprlt and recover your own property"
Thank you" said the rector, in more
or less hollow voice. Then he went out
again, the Stati0n-master walking beside
| him, the two detectives following at a
short distance, the porter carrying the
rector's wraps and other belongings bring
ing up the rear. But as they passed down
the platform a big, burly individual, recog-
niZed 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 college
chum.
"Hello, my dear Haslingdean," he cried.
seizing him by the hand. 'Well met. I
Il am delighted to see you. Where are you
coming from! Been indulging in one of
your rare holidays, oh. You don't often
afford yourself that indulgence"
81 have been staying with some friends
for ashort time, and am now returning
home" said Rev. Septimus. II have Just
met with an unpleasant adventure, how
ever, and l hail YOU as a kind of deliverer. -
In few hasty words he explained the tii-
lemma in which he found himself His
friend, while sympathizing with his griefs,
could not help bursting into hearty fit of
laughter
"You are not the first fellow who has
been made a fool of by pretty woman,
and suppose you won't be the last; but it
is deuce of bother for you, especially
about the watch" said his friend, still
laughing. 'It's all right" he added to the
and retired. Il am going on TO London; 1
will go with you as far as your station if
you like"
The rector gave the necessary instruc-
lions to Mr. Stanmore, and re-entered the
train with his friend. He finished his jour
ney IN SaTeUy, perhaps nOG u wiser Dut IN
dubitablY q sadder man than when he had
started. Gladly would he have locked the
fact of his losses within the safe keeping of
his own breast, but it was hopeless to con-
ceal it from his housskeeper and the serv-
ants. Day by day he waited for a CLEAN
ofhope, but in vain; his treasured watch and
his dressing-case had gone from his gaze
like the last traces of some beautiful dream.
Perhaps, when his adoring parishioners
discover his sad loss, they will present him
with another watch, or some similar token
of admiration and ItJlSLey'S Nag
dzine