The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1891-04-04


but he went out at night, and late at
night. Stubbins is well-dressed chap
and is just such a man as footpad
would expect to find money on. We've
got to do something"
''What?" asked Gilmore.
No one had an answer
Five o'clock, and then six passed.
Still no Stubbins. The boys leaned
over the little card-table by which they
had been sitting and wondered what
they should do. Something was surely
wrong. Stubbins had little money
about him, they knew-something like
seventy-five dollars. Perhaps he had
displayed it in restaurant in paying
for the lunch, had been followed and
robbed Why had they not all gone out
together, anyhow?
Seven o'clock. No Stubbins. Mrs.
Nichols, the landlady, was getting
breakfast. At half past seven they
went out to partake of it. They were
tired, sleepy and nervous.
SIS Mr.. Stubbins up?" inquired Mrs.
Nichols
HE isn't in the house," said Gilmore,
looking straight down at his plate.
After breakfast the boys had con-
sultation. They agreed that Gilmore
and Hudson should go to Stubbins' Of
fee at noon to see if he had appeared
there by that time. If not, they would
telephone Dibble, who was in business
on the South side, and would determine
what to do.
IF he don't turn up by that time
shall tell Tess?" Dibble asked.
''Never mind telling Tess" Gilmore
replied. ''She would worry too much
Tess was Stubbins' sweetheart, and
she lived in the fiat across the hall.
At noon Hudson and Gilmore went to
Stubbins' Office. Stubbins had not
been there. His partner, Mr.. Fitch,
knew nothing of his whereabouts.
Something must be DONE" said.
Hudson, after they had explained the
situation to Mr.. Fitch.
Inform the police" Mr.. Fitch sug-
gested.
Hadn't we better first go out to the
house and see if he has been there?"
Gilmore said. "We'll see Dibble too in
stead of telephoning him. Come on
They found Dibble, and the three
went to the house. Mrs. Nichols was
highly alarmed when she heard their
explanation. Mr.. Stubbins was muir
dered. She knew it. 1t would kill
poor Tess. How she dreaded to break
the news to her! Yet she must do it.
mot yet" said Gilmore. 'Let us be
sure first"
At three Stubbins had appeared
neither at his office nor Mt his room.
He was so regular in his habits that
they were convinced something was
wrong and determined to inform the
police.
At the nearest station his disappear
ance was reported and an accurate de-
scription of him was sent to all the po-
lice over the city. With anxious faces
the three friends went home leaving
orders to have any news sent them at
once.
Mrs. Nichols was eagerly awaiting
their return. They stood there in the
hall talking it over.
The bell rang. Mrs. Nichols opened
The door and Miss Tess walked in, smil- |
ing.
''Whyr" she exclaimed. II didn't ex-
pect to find you gentlemen at home at |
this time of the day."
There was painful silence, during
which the smile faded from the girls |
mouth and eyes as she saw the anxious |
ooks in the faces before her.
What is the matter?" she asked.
No one answered. Each looked at |
he others in silence
'Tell me, please" she said, looking
Vt Gilmore.
"Well, you see, Miss Tess" said Gil |
more, his voice and hand trembling to-
yether, ''we're somewhat alarmed-I
hat is a little alarmed-about Stub
,ins.n
Tess face paled.
''We had been playing cards until
ate, and as we were hungry Stubbins
aid he would go out and get something
o eat before we went to bed. He went
mt at one o'clock, but has not returned.
We've informed the police and"-
Tess face got paler and she leaned
Igainst the wall.
We'll, go on" she said. s'What
lse?"
That's about all. Isn't it enough?
We are somewhat alarmed and it is
best that you should know it."
Tess hand trembled. There was the
lash of diamond on it. Stubbins had
laced it there and it meant worlds to
9th of them.
"Come, my GIRL" said Mrs. Nichols,
utting her arm around her and assist
ng her to move away from the wall.
Don't be unnecessarily alarmed. 1t
lay be all right yet. You must go in
he parlor and stay with us till he
omes~'
''But what If he don't come? They
lay bring him d." She could not
ronounce the word. 1t was too ter
bile. She sat down in a chair and
'aited with the rest.
Hudson, feeling the silence oppres-
we, played q bar or two of a popular