The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1891-12-10

sion in carriage to Toulon. He had
invited the Nice girl to go with him,
but on that particular day she could
not go. There was some big charity
function on hand, and one necessary
part of the affair was the wheedling of
money out of the peoples pockets, and
the Nice girl had undertaken to do
part of the w,heedling. She was very
good at it, and she rather prided her
self upon it, but then she was very
nice girl, pretty as we'll, and so people
found it very difficult to refuse her
On the evening of the day there was to
be ball at the principal hotel in the
place, also in connection with this very
desirable charity. Robbins had re-
luctantly gone to Toulon alone, but you
may depend upon it he was back in
time for the ball.
WELL" he said to the Nice girl
when he met her, what luck collect
ing to-day?'
''Oh, the greatest luck,' she replied,
enthusiastically, land who do you
think got the most money from?"
II am sure I haven't the slightest
idea-that old English duke, he GER
tainly has money enough
mo, not from him at all; the very
last person you would expect it from
your friend, the Living Skeleton
WHAT" cried Robbins, in alarm.
''Oh, found him on the bench where
he usually sits, in the avenue of palms.
l told him all about the charity, and
how useful it was, and how necessary,
and how we all ought to give as much
as we could towards it, and he smiled
and smiled at me in that curious way Of
his. Yes he said, in a whisper, Y be-
lieve the charity should be supported
by everyone; 1 will give you eighty
francs Now, wasn't that very gen.
erons of him? Eighty francs!
That was ten times what the duke
gave, and as he handed me the
money he looked up at me and
said in that awful whisper of his:
Count that over carefully when you
get home and see if you can find out
what else 1Iave given you. There is
more than eighty francs there Then,
after got home, -
But here the Nice girl paused, when
whom she was talking That face was
CHASTITY pale and his eyes were staring
at her but not seeing her. Eighty
francs" he was whispering to himself,
and he seemed to be making a mental
calculation in subtraction. Then
noticing the Nice girls amazed look at
him. he said:
Ibid you take the money!
"Of course took it., she said. ''Why
shouldn't 1?""
"Great heavens!' gasped Robbins,
and without word he turned and fed,
leaving the Nice girl transfxed with
establishment and staring after him
with frown on her pretty brow.
'What does he mean by such con-
| duct?" she asked herself. But Robbins
! disappeared from the gathering throng
in the large room of the hotel, dashed
down the steps, and hurried along the
| narrow pavement towards the ''Gold-
en- Dragon" The proprietor was stand
ing in the hallway with his hands be-
| hind him, usual attitude with the
Dragon.
Where" gasped Robbins, lis Mr..
=, Mr.. =" and then he remembered he
didn't know the name. "Where is the
Living Skeleton"
He has gone to his room," answered
the Dragon; The went early tonight,
he wasn't feeling we'll, Think"
+ "What is the number of his room?''
mo. 49," and the proprietor rang a
loud, jangling bell, whereupon one Of
J the chambermaids appeared. "Show
{ this gentleman to No. 40.''
The girl preceded Robbins up the
stairs. Once she looked over her shout
der, and said in whisper: sis he
worse?"
"Idon't know" answered Robbins,
that's what I have come to see.'''
At No. 40 the girl paused aid raped
lightly on the door panel There was
no response. She raped again, this
time louder. There was still no re.
Spouse.
''Try the door," said Robbins.
II am afraid to-" said the girl.
"Why?" r., =
because he said if he were asleep
the door would be locked, and II he
were dead the door would be open.''
when did he say that?'' $50.
He said it several times, sir, and
about week ago the last time.''
Robbins turned the handle of the
door; it was not locked A dim light
was in the room, but scree.- before
| the door hid It from sight. When he
passed around the screen he saw, upon
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