Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-10

cessity. Then she turned the packet over
and found an inscription that settled the
question. In mans writing were the
words: @Lis likeness and letters. Very
precious"
@Poor Geoff. Poor, dear fellow! How de-
votedly he loves bert / am SO sorry for him.
Very precious he calls them," Rosalind
murmured "But precious or not, must
rob him of them. We cannot lose Tom. l
wonder what Lefty will say when she sees
thems Now, wish l were safely out of this.
/ must write the tiniest scrap of note and
leave it for poor, dear Geoff." She closed
the drawer, put the packet in Der pocket
and wrote hastily on a half sheet Of paper,
IL IS sister has taken what you have no right
(, keep against her will"
She had just addressed the envelope when
she heard steps on the stairs; in another
moment the door was opened and hand
some young man came in.
How awkward.n thought Rosaind. ''But
must keep up the character Of Townsend's
sister. Who IN the world is he2"
The new conner stood still and stared at her.
She was the prettiest girl he had seen for
many day. She made him a little bow.
Il an Mr. Townsend's sister," she said land
l expect him every moment; he does not ex-
pect me until tomorrow Did not the land
lady tell you / was here:'
''She-she-she did!n the young man
gasped
what donkey he is!"' thought merciless
Rosalind, quite at her ease, although she had
just been robbing drawer 81 wonder if
you would mind going to lock for my
brother!' she said aloud in the sweetest man
ha ind n
awkward to be here all alone with-people
coming i'm She gave him little smile to
indicate that be was one Of the people. Il
have to go to the station for my luggage"
what dreadful stories am telling she added
To herself; then aloud, land perhaps by the
time | come back he will be here"
''Oh, you will come back, will youa But
It's raining cats and dogs! You'll be
drenched"
''Oh, dear, moi have waterproof" and
| Rosalind took up her cloak. Thank YOU"
as tine young man rushed forward and put it
round her shoulders. And you viii go and
ind--Gerard for me-" she said, turning to
him with the sweetest smile. There was the
slightest possible hesitation before she said
the name. He noticed nothing but the beauty
Of her eyes THANK you very much!'
She was gone before he recovered himself,
end when Geof Hamilton came into the
sitting room az No. ID a few minutes later he
found his friend Townsend hanging out Of a
window.
Halo, Gee" he said, "whas's up? You look
daZed. Seen ghost"
No; but the prettiest girl in the world.
She was here. She said she was my sister
She asked me to go and look for myself,
wIlse she went to the station for her lug.
gage"
Then she'll be backs'
Not she; she turned the other way"
Then who IN the world is she, and what
brought her here?"
Il suspect you know all about that, You
rascal. She's one of your army of martyrs,
/ take IT,"
Rubbish. | am the martyr What's
this'" He had picked up Rosalind's note
from the writing table. GO. Hamilton,
Esq Now for the heart of the mystery"
He opened the note and read it. Then be
threw himself into chair with a very red
face. Then he laughed. Then / am afraid
he swore.
Meanwhile Rosalind, with her heart thump-
ing half with fright and half with triumph,
speeding homeward. She few to Lett<,s
room and found that young person OH ner
bed reading novel.
There" Rosie cried, throwing down the
packet, never say again that / am not your
best friend. There are your letters and your
photograph, and all the keepsakes you gave
that poor, dear man from time to time, and
you ought to be ashamed of yourself
What" cried una dashed Lefty "Did be
give them up! He is a darling
No answered Rosalind. calmly, Il stole
them"
ooh, you dear delightful darling. How
sweet of you. Poor boy, how sorry he will
b.! But what fun. What is this written
outside? lis likeness and letters, very pre-
cious.' Poor, dear Geof, how fond he is Of
mel" And she gave little sentimental sigh
Had YOU not better open the thing and
see if you have them all right" said practical
Rosie. Here. cut the knot"
No sooner said than done. A cabinet pho
tograph fell out, then piece of deep crimson
ribbon, few faded flowers, and two or three
notes.
This is such q good likeness Tom had bot
ter have it," saiG Lefty, as she took up tho
picture, which had fallen face downward on
the bed. "Look, Rosie!"
Rosie looked. and behold. it was likeness
Of tail, handsome girl, who bore not the
slightest resemblance to handsome little Lefty.
Beneath wss written in firm and dashing
wonans hand the word Louie"
Tho sisters looked at one another with
blank faces. A glance at the notes revealed
the same dashing hand. $50 you are not the
only one and l made a fool of myself and
robbed the mans drawer for nothing" cried
Rosa ind. "Oh, if | had but known"
Never mind, dear" said Lefty; Il am sure
| don't. But wish knew what he sees to
admire in that black woman. Just pack her
up and send ber back to him
A tap at The door interrupted them. 1t was
g maid 70 announce that Mr. Townsend was
in the drawing room. he wanted to see Miss
Maitland for n few minutes on business He
hal a message and little packet TO deliver.
Tell Mr.. Townsend am coming directly
said Rosaind.
"Oh, Rosie, do you miDdT cried Lefty, as
the maid went out He has sent my picture,
suppose. and lie wants his black woman back
Tel him we think her frightful. Are you
sure you do not mind seeing him"
"Not in the least" said Rosalind Il saw
his likeness in their sitting room and he Is
plain and elderly Give ne those things and
trust 10 my ingenuity 20 Ses my sell OUT OF Lne
scrape. They cannot say much when they
know it was another girls photograph l car
ried Off"
And just as she was-iu her muddy little
boots and with the wind blown, untidy hair
she went down stairs; and il still is and j.
e-er VIII remain a mystery what those two
said to one another when they stood face TO
face.
But Geotf got back his precious packet and
Lefty got her photograph. She gave it to
Tom forthwith and he was delighted.
She is now Mrs Crichton. hamilton was
finally captured by pretty young widow !
l.