The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1890-11-06
JIM BURNS,
Detective Police, Central Office.

To say that Henshall was surprised
would be putting it mildly He was so
indignant and astonished by the big de-
tective's TRADE that he could only listen
in helpless amazement.
He took the card mechanically and
asked stupidly:
''She said she didn't want to see me?
Why, she don't know me-
Burns laughed sarcastically as he
turned away, saying:
Remember, young fellow, I'll keep
my eyes on you," and before Henshall
could gather his wits sufficient to de-
mand an explanation Burns had disap-
peared.
The young artist found himself in a
ridiculous position, the center of guy
ing mob, when he did recover himself.
''Get on to the Johnnier' Pipe de
patent leathers!' He would be mash
er, would hep and other such uncom-
plimentary illusions We're showered on
him, so he hastily went around to the
front of the house and pushed his way
to his box, determined at the first op-
portunity Of having an explanation
with Mr.. Jim Burns, detective"
Two minutes after he had gone away
from the stage entrance q red headed
messenger boy showed his way through
the crowd that still fingered there.
He raped loudly at the door for aa-
mittance, while those around regarded
him curiously, and many asked him,
Whats up?"
'.Nuthin'," was his nOnchalant reply.
After delay of several minutes the
stage door was cautiously opened few
inches, and portion of the good nat
ured Teutonic countenance of Herr Op-
per became visible.
Seeing the boy in uniform he admit
ted him at once, asking: Message? For
whom:"
Without any undue haste, and max
ing no reply, the lad unbottoned his
jacket, showed his left hand carefully
into his inside coat pocket and pulled out
a book.
Opening this carefully he took out a
message addressed to Miss Louise Ne
vile, Baldwin's theatre, urgent" and
handed it to the impatient manager
AS he saw the address the latter
turned as if to hurry away, but the i'm
| perturable messenger caught him by the
coat tail, showed his little black covered
book in his face and said:
Sign, please. And say, give fellow
u ticket, will yer?'
With smothered execration the wor
thy Opper signed'for the message, and
he. OIL
rushed off with the telegram to his stars
dressing room.
AS he approached it he heard the low
sweet strains OF Home, Sweet Home
played with touch ON the violin which
made it fairly seem to speak.
The music ceased abruptly as he
knocked for admission, and the dool
was opened by Miss Neville, who gazed
at her manager in startled way.
''Oh. Mr.. Opper, is it time TO go on
! I had no idea that was late.
You are not late. The curtain vii
not go up for ten minutes yet, but thii
dispatch just arrived and / thought i
best to bring it to you at once"
| The girls face turned deathly pale.
! Let me have it," she gasped.
| He hanGed her the little yellow packet
! She tore the envelope hurriedly, and i
| needed but glance to master the con
/ tents:
/ Come at once. Your father is dying
| .sDR WATSON"
/ She did not totter and fall, but like
thoroughbred she held her queenly Ett1
head up high and said, quite calmly:
Il am sorry to forfeit my engagement
i Mr.. Opper," she said, '.but I must leav
/ you now at once. My father Is dying
/ Read and she held out the message t,
him.
Hum, ah' remarked Opper.
Much as he admired his fair attrac
ton he did not like to lose the night
money, even if he had already earned
big purse through her.
Still, in the presence of death h
thought it best TO throw ND the sponge
hoping by agreeing aniably to arrang
| for her reappearance later ON.
Ii addition he had conceived a SINGER
and fatherly interest in the lonely girl
and SO he submitted to the inevitabl
and said quite cheerfully: well, I sur
| pose you must go, my dear. But ther
is an awful big house. don't kno,
what we can do You must go alone,
suppose. Icould not get away to-nighi
! and you would not wait until tomorrow
How long has your father been j
CHICAGO"