The Globe-republican., 1890-07-16

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treat.
The lunatic was supposed to be the
wealthy Mr.. Lawrence Drane, of
Kansas City. That unfortunate gentle
mans friends had come on to take
care of him and had arrived at the
Retreat but an hour after the escape.
They Immediately resolved to offer
reward of five hundred dollars
for his capture, and the proprietor
of the Retreat supplemented that
inducement by an offer of fifty dollars
from his own purse. Then followed a
minute description of the missing man.
Lawrence felt fattered, but still not
happy.
every man but the millionaires in
the city is looking for me-" he thought,
and he glanced cautiously over his pa
per at the other occupants of the room.
His blood chilled at once, for directly
opposite sat shrewd-looking fellow
staring hard at him. The fellow had a
copy of the same paper that Mr.. Drane
was reading, too, in his hand. He was
evidently detective. After a moment
of agony the detective rose and came to-
wards Mr.. Drane, still looking sharply
| at him.
"Now for grand bluff" thought
Lawrence. He nerved himself for a
mighty effort, but the stranger paused
awkwardly and said:
Excuse me, sir; see that was mis-
taken. thought you were an old friend
of mine"
And he walked away. Lawrence liked
to have choked with the excitement
and relief, and he felt that he would
rather be captured than undergo such
another trial. He must get away.
Even his friends would discredit his
story and consign him to an asylum.
But how was he to move? He read the
story again. 1t ended by saying that
the gentlemen from Kansas City had
gone to Boston on the midnight train
believing that Mr.. Drane had fed to
that city.
Again his thoughts reverted to Bessie.
She would help him, but he dared not
90 to Mrs. Bowers house. So he wrote
a note to Mrs. Bowers inquiring If he
might not call on the young lady whom
|
and trust to her kindness to screen him
from capture during the call. Itcost him
thirty-fve cents to send this note by mes
senger. After what seemed intermin-
able delay the messenger returned with
this answer:
THE young lady you refer to has re-
turned to her friends. For her sake I
refrain from sending this to you by a
policeman. You may not be insane, but
am convinced that you arc a bad, bold
ddrenturer. So do not, on any account,
expect any further assistance from me.
EMILY Bowers"
And what did poor Drane do then?
ae went down to tho East river and
wondered if some condemned fool of a
hero wouldn't rescue him if he should
plunge in and try to be decently
drowned. The men at work thereabouts
didn't look much like heroes, but ap-
pearances might be deceptive, and Mr..
Drane gave up the idea. 1t was but a
passing frenzy. His native vigor re-
turned soon and it was reinforced by
the image of Bessie's face that haunted
him constantly. He would seek her if
it took tho rest of his life and cost him
his fortune-when he got possession of
it again.
During the rest of the day he wan
dered aimlessly about the docks and in
the quiet streets. His hunger he ap-
peased with sandwich, reserving his
balance, eight cents, for another meal.
The more he wandered and the more he
thought, the more desperate his situa-
ton seemed; but relief came from the
most unexpected quarter. Just as it was
| growing dark whom should he meet but
the original tramp. Each made as if to
run at first sight, then they thought
better of it and stood facing each other.
"Well," said Mr.. Drane.
"Well," returned the tramp you've
done me up nice, haven't you?"
"Done you up?" exclaimed Lawrence;
''how about me, you rascal? Have you
read the morning papers?"
Read the papers! Do look as il 1
had read the papers? If tho papers
were two cents thousand couldn't af-
ford to read bulletin board. No, I've
just come from the island. Your Kan
|
man, and Of course they had to let me
Co."
| Lawrence was on the point of show
ing the tramp tho story of the escape
printed in the paper. when a perfectly
tremendous idea occurred to him. 1t
was SO great that his voice trembled as
he said:
That's good. Now, am willing to
let bygones be bygones. am not out
of my scrape yet. and between US we
can help each other good deal. Are
| you agreed?"
''You don't mean to get me arrested
for taking your clothes, do you?"
''Not bit! You won't come to harm.
I'll see you through and give you money
afterwards"
''I'll have to go you. What am to
do?''
''CLange clothes with mev'
The tramp was staggered at this sug-
gestion, but he consented, though he
vainly tried to get Lawrence to unfold
the scheme.
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