Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1891-09-25

rnanity, belonging to the class who can
live side by side in the same street
with fellow-creature all their lives
without so much as knowing them by
sight
Among Mr.. Browns fixed habits was
n yearly tour
But he did not take it, like most peo-
pie, in the summer months, but in the
early spI ng. Regularly as the first
week in March came round, he went
abroad A common place tour, in
beaten tracks, following the usual
routine of travel in steamers and
trains, and lodging ut palatial hotels.
No adventure had ever broken the un-
eventful record of these tours for over
a quarter of century; no more exciting
incident than an unusual overcharge at
some hotel had come within Portman
Browns personal experience.
In IS, when March came round, he
made the usual preparations for his
yearly tour in his usual way.
On the evening before his departure,
an old city friend, Mr.. Goldsmith,
dined with him at his house in Harley
street When about to leave. Gold
smith drew small case from his
pocket.
''I brought this with me on the
chance that you were going to Cannes.
You viii do me great favor by giving
it into my brothers hands there. 1t
contains brilliant of such rare value
that could trust it to few. 1t will give
you no trouble, being SO small; there
will be no risk, as no one will know
you have such a thing with you"
Anything to oblige n FRIEND" said
Brown, lightly II would take the
Koh-i-noor as travelling companion
under the same circumstances"
The two men were standing at the
study window, the blind of which hap
pened to be up While in the act of
placing the case to his pocket Browns
eyes wandered to the street At the
moment the light from a lamp in front
of the door struck on the face of a man
who was passing-or had he been stand
ing there?-a peculiar dark face, with
straight black whislzers.
The man moved on.
Brown drew back hastily.
"None of your people knew that you
were giving me this commissions" he
inquired of Goldsmith.
Not a soul, my dear fellow; the
matter is entirely between you and
me. My head clerk alone knows of the
existence OF the brilliant"
"What is he lilxe2"
Like you, like me. Responsibility
ifca1ft lTha+ o1.a r-nr, Thin lrincr nfoi
''Has he white whiskers?"
Gray as badger's-white, even!
But, bless my soul, what is the matter?
What do you mean? Have you seen
anyone?"
"a man was standing there by the
lamp post as you handed me the jewel
case, He was apparently looking at
us, and might have heard what we
said"
Then he must be in the street still, :"
said GoldsIaith,- throwing up the win
dow and putting his head out Brown
did the same. The night was bright.
Not a soul was to be seen anywhere;
the street was quite deserted.
~ neighbor or . neighbours butler.
He has gone into some house" Gold
smith Withdrew from the window. 'In
any case, no one could have heard, nor,
should thinl1, have seen us. As for
my clerk, Travers, | boast myself an
aoncst man, but | don't hesitate to
acknowledge that he is the honestcr of
the two. Your imagination is playing
you tricks ! didn't know you were
given that way Perhaps you would
rather not take charge of the bril-
liant?"
But Brown would not hear of this.
Already shamcfaced over his hasty
and somewhat ridiculous suspicious, he
dismissed them abruptly.
Not for worlds would | give up the
charge" he said. I'm not such fool