The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1891-02-26

was soft as hoSS SILK. anG rlppied ike
the bosom of a meadow brook when it
flows over bed of pebbles.
But so lost was | in contemplating
the charms of this fair creature that /
suddenly remembered | was not '.look-
ing sharp" rs Cathcart had ordered
me, and | turned to regard my very
unsuspecting Jorlette.
If Il criminal. lie was a very self
possessed one. He had finished his
pie, and was picking his teeth with a
quill and furtively regarding his boots.
which, by 4 peculiar tightness and
stiffness of look. | judged were new
ones. Occasionally he felt them. as if
perhaps his corns were pinched and
once | WAS sure he muttered something
like an oath as he rubbed his long
white fingers over the locality of his
great toe.
There was nothing to be done with
him until we reached Liverpool. unless
he attempted to leave the train, so |
might rs we'll cultivate the acquaint-
ance of my pretty little seat-mate.
She was somewhat shy. but after
awhile | managed to overcome her
reserve and we chatted pleasantly,
like old friends.
She had not been much from home.
and was little timid about travelling
alone. She started nervouslv every
time the car gave Il lurch. and | deem
ed 1T my duty to put my arm around
the back of the seat to calm her fears.
She had such horror OF railway
accidents, she said, that her Aunt Jane
had predicted before she left home
that something dreadful was going to
happen to her. and then she lifted her
large, melting eyes to my face, and |
drew the arm down from the seat and
let it rest on her shoulder. Men are
the natural protectors of women, you
know.
We talked on various subjects. My
sweet companion was very well in
formed, and her language was simple
and well chosen. Before | was hardly
aware of it had told her that | was Il
detective, and that | was making this
journey expressly to help capture Jor-
lette-the notorious Jorlette.
She shuddered and drew little
nearer to me.
Dear men' said she. nervously, ''it
must be dangerous business. Il!fs
Jorlette, | have heard, is Il desperato
character. Pray-oh, do pray he care
full
And she dropped her voice so near
to Il whisper aud threw so much ex-
preston into her beautiful eyes that l
could not resist tcnderly pressing the
white hand so near my own, and whis-
pered. | am afraid, something that
would look absurd on paper.
That was a very delightful trip to
me. and / think it must have been not
altogether unpleasant to the young
lady, for her cheeks were red and her
eyes bright as we approached the ter
minus. She was going to visit her
sister, who lived two or three miles in
land from Liverpool. so she had to
leave me before my journey was ended.
The train only halted for moment.
but | managed to press warm kiss
on her lips, and to BEG her to give me
her address that / mi chit call on her.
She smiled archly up into my face.
Il will drop you line within week,
Mr.. Dayton" she said, sweetly. "Lct
me see-your first name is-'
"AIphonse. No. 34l 7 street.
by. tarlingn' aud | kissed her again.
and saw the door close behind her
with full feeling of pain inside the
left section OF my waistcoat.
But rcsoutely put my pretty un-
known out of my mind, and devoted
myself to looking sharp at Jorlettc,
who had evidently fallen asleep. Talk
about the uneasiucss of guilty con-
science. indeed!
At Liverpool Mr.. Cathcart stepped
into the ear before any one had left it.
He swept his eve over the occupants,
and look of blank dismay settled on
his face.
"Thunderation!" cried he; lis it pos
sible YOU have let him skip?n
He is there!' said /, triumphantly,
pointing to my redhaired fellow pas
senger.
"Thatm said Cathcart, in a tone of
inetfable contempt. ''Alf. you're
fool. That man is the Rev. John Pin
nicut, rector of St. Thomas church,
Cumberwell. How do YOU do sir?"
shaking hands with the pie-eater.
Cathcart turned upon me fiercely.
Where in the deuce is Jorlette?n he
SASi'ihlCo, ott'oSOi LIN hoe VI
der YOU to look sharp?"
"Yonder reverend gentleman was
the only one on the train in any wise
answering Jorlette's description" said
| doggedy.
The guard came up at that moment
and substantiated my statement. and
Cathcart was obliged to swallow his
modification with rs good grace as
possible. His information relative to
Jorlette being a traveller by the 7:30
mail had come from one of his most re-
liable men, but there had been some
mistake somewhere. We were not to
pocket the 1000 pounds reward in a
hurry.
A week afterward received n letter.
written on pink paper, perfumed, and
elegant generally. | trauscribe it:
My Dear Mr.. Dayton: Hereby fulfill my
promise of dropping you line within the
week. ] am fiourishing, and hope you are,
also. My Aunt James presentiment did not
lea, where / expect to be elected to congress.
Give my love to old Cathcart. You have no
idea how funny it feels to have your lips
pressed by Il mans liz when you hapren to
be a man Yourself S1rry you are not to get
the 2,00 pounds. but sef-preSeryation is the
first law of nature. Faithfully yours.
PIERRE JORLETTE,'
Nelson's Flagship.