Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1888-08-10

see the-the person''-he could
not bring himself to say gentle.
man-ffWhO arrived here q short time
ago with a black box
''He's at MS dinner, sir
els he? Well, / must disturb him. .
And, without more ado, Dick pushed
open the door and walked into the
hall
s'TeII him, now, ;" he said, chat a
gentleman insists on seeing him at
once.
The girl ran of, and in a moment
returned and asked Dick to come
with her She took him into a little
drawing-roOm. A moment later a
door opened, and a young man enter
ed. A glance showed Dick that he
was not John Crabb; another, that
he was in a state Of great nervous
ness and dread. ''Ah, ha," thought
Dick, ''this is Crabb viIlainOus agent,
and he sees he is discovered.
"Sir, " said Dick to the young man,
81 have come about the black box
you brought from the station"
The young man started.
'May 1 ask" he inquired nervous
ly, ''What you want about iU?"
Il want, sir, =" cried Dick, in a voice
of thunder, ''tO see it and its con
tents
MY graciousl It's all found out, .
said the youth despairingly
Eyes, yes, it is. 1 suspected the
trick, and now have caught you. -
The young man shook his head in
sorrow
Yes, sir, and brand you as a
theft continued the infuriated Dick.
The young man quivered.
eyes, as a thief And tomorrow,
sir, you'll take your place in the
dock"
ooh, sir, spare mel Don't, for
heavens sake, expose me!''
Don't appeal to me, sir, " replied
Dick, whose blood was up. "BOth
you and your infamous employer
shall be indicted
The young man started.
''My employer" he repeated in
quiringly. 4 don't quite understand
you, sir"
''NOne Of this fOOlery," cried Dick,
furiOusly. "I'm Mr.. Richard Pepper
corn, and [ come to claim my wife
box, which you, at John Crabb's in
stigation, stole.
Sir said the youth, surprised,
but at the same time relieved, "the
box is mine. and l never heard of
such a person as John Crabb."
Dick gazed at the speaker, absOI-
utely speechless with fury.
produce the box" he at last
cOntrived to mutter, in hOarse
voice.
But objected the young man.
produce the bOXl' rOared Dick
Scared halfOut Ofhis wits. theyOung
fellow left the room and a moment
afterWard returned, dragging in the
black box.
Pointing to the initials E. v. P. up
on it, Dick asked: Are those your
initials?
NO" answered the bewiIdered
youth, hesitatingly, "but they were
on the box when L got it. -
q daresay they Were,' answered
Dick, grimly.
Eyes, L got it at Mr.. BOrd's-"
ooh then you're John Smith, are
your"
''John Smith! Not atau. Myname
isWilliam SHELTON. What makes you
ClllIlh L EIIl JONI EO1lIDl asked UllC
youth, greatly surprised
Because Mr.. BOrd told me that
that was your name, and that you
ordered box exactly similar to my
wife's.'
''But I didn't order the box at all.
rejOined the youth. II bought it
ready-made.
Dick threw upon Mr.. Shelton a look
of unutterable contempt
81 assure yOuit's a fact, =" protested
the unfortunate Shelton. 81 wanted
box in haste for "a certain pur-
pose, and not finding any to suit me
but the one with those initials on,
Mr.. BOrd let me have it on condition
that 1 promised to paint off the
letters. 1 wish to goodness 1 had
done 80, it would have saved me all
this trouble"
Dick could not but notice the
strong appearance of sincerity in the
young mans voice and manner. If
he were acting, he was acting uncOm-
monty well.
''Wen," said Dick, more calmly
than hitherto, ''yOu can easily prove
the truth of your story, and that
that is not my wife's box by opening
it,
Mr.. SHELTON was greatly embar-
raised.
ooh, no, =" cried Dick, raging again.
''YOu're afraid are you? Well, shall L
call in the pOlice?''
."NO, no; I don't ike to open it be
cause it contains something queer;
but if you won't split
"Open it. 1 repeat; and if the box
is not my .wife's III apologize and
withdraw"
Hesitatingly the young man pro-