Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1886-11-04

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old piano, and fancied himself a con-
nOisseur in music. But he WAS not
educated to understand this music,
A very pretty, nighty young lady,
Mrs. Bellew, who WAS the chaperone
of the party, tried politely to make him
talk TO her, but in vain. She turned to
Jourdan at LAST with shrug of her
bare shoulders.
Your friend, she whispered, seems
to be absorbed by his own thoughts
He does not look as if he were enjoying
himself. Who is he p
One of my mothers last hobbies a
student in the college from the coun-
try, he replied IN the same tone.
They turned to the stage. Kershaw
saw their smiles, and knew they were
talking of him. His brain was on fire.
Why had he come here ? Was he not
the equal of these dainty folk, as we'll
born, as virtuous, as clever, as they ?
They dared to despise him because he
was awkward and addressed
In his embarrassment and misery he
thrust his hand into the breast pocket
Of his coat, and drew out little paint
ed paper tablet, whicn he fingered me-
chanically, scarcely noticing what it
was until he saw Mrs. Bellows eyes
llxed OH it with amazament and suspi-
cion. When the curtain fell on the
first act, she came back to him, max
ing some incoherent remarks about the
play, while she looked at him keenly.
Suddenly she grew pale. and interrupt =
ing herself in the middle of a sentence,
said to Kershaw will you be good
enough at the close of the next act to
go with me and Mr.. Kitchener into the
ante room ? l would like to speak with
you.'
When they had reached the anteroom
at the close of the act, she said: Il
have a most disagreeble question to
ask Mr.. Kershaw. Our house was
robbed by burglars last Monday, and
silver and jewelry and clothes were ta-
ken. Among the rest was an evening
suit of my husbands. You haYe it
on =
Aren't you mistaken, Mrs. Bellew p
said young Kitchener. 'One dress
suit is exactly like another, and
My husband she went on. excited
~, wore il to ball the night before 1t
was stolen. AS we came home, he put
my tablet, with my dances on it, in one
pocket. In the other was my ruby
ring, which was too large for my glove.
Mr.. Kershaw has the tablet in his
pocket
Kershaw mechanically thrust his
hand into the pocket of the coat, and
brought out the tablet and second Ia
ter the ring, which had caught in the
lining and SO escaped the notice of the
thief He silently held them out to
her. The power of speech and action
seemed to be frozen out of him with
horror. Kitchener looked at him ex-
citedly, but said, politely :
Have you any objections to telling
Mrs. Bellew how the suit came in your
possession p
Kershaw stared at him moment,
full of repugnance and contempt for
himself. These were his new friends,
this was the party he had parted with
his old fathers gift to enter
Il did not, of course, steal the
Clothes, he said at last. You cannot
really think | did that. But bought
them at a pawnshop to-day. pawLed
my watch to do it. l wanted to come
here
'All right all right = interposed
Kitchener, soothingly. You can send
Mr.. Bellew the name of the pawn bro
ker, and he will recover his silver and
jewelry. Mrs. Bellew, the curtain is
up She huttered softly back to her
seat, arranging her airy draperies and
flowers, and glanced meaningly at
young Kitchener, as if to express dis
gust for the poor wretch who had
bought cast-off clothes to thrust him
self in among people whom he regard
ed as his superiors. David saw it all,
and rose from his seat painting and
trembling.
sit down Sit down Kershaw =
said Kitchener, putting his hand on his
shoulder. David shook it off.
No I've been fool, but I've done
with it all now. III send back the
cloLhes-'
ooh no = said Mrs. Bellew. looking
back with a superciious smile. Pray
keep them
Dayid left the box and rushing home
stunned with rage and Shame, tore off
the stolen clothes and carried them to
Mr. Bellows house. The next day
Kitchener, who had a good deal of
kindness and tact, arranged the matter.
The pawnbroker, who was a receiver
of stolen goods, was forced to give up
the plate, jeweIry and David's watch.