The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-01-30


and is Just such nan as footpad
would expect to find money on. We've
got to do something"
"What?" asked Gilmore.
No one mad 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 |
thev should do. Something was surely |
wrong. Stubbins had a little money |
about him, they knew-something like
seventv-fve 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.
us 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.
eff 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. Stubhins had not
been there. His partner, Mr.. Fitch,
knew nothing of his whereabouts.
Something must he done" said
Hudson, after they had explained the
situation to Mr. Fitch.
Uniform the police" Mr.. Fitch sug-
gcsted.
Hadn't we better first go ont to the
house and see if he has been thcre?'
Gilmore said. "Well see Dibblc 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. It would kill
poor Tess How she dreaded to break
; the news to her! Yet she must do it.
.'Not vet" said Gilmore. Let US be
sure first"
At three Stubbins had appeared
, neither at his office nor at his room.
, He was 50 regular i'll his habits that
they were convinced something was
! wrong and determined to inform the
, police.
: At the nearest station his disappear
q ancc was reported and an accurate de-
n 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 i'll the
n hall talking it over.
n The bell rang. Mrs. Nichols opened
= he door and Miss Tess walked in. smil
,r ing.
Why she exclaimed. 81 didn't ex
@ pect to find you gentlemen at home al
this time of the day
There was painful silence, during
which the smile faded from the girls
, mouth and eyes as she s:.w the anxious
looks in the faces before her.
= 'What is the natter" she asked.
No one answered. Each looked a
! the others in silence.
Tell me, please" she said, looking
d at Gilmore.
~ "Wen, You see. Miss Tess" said Gil
more, his voice and hand trembling to
a ge ther. we're somewhat alarmed
=, that is little alarmcti-about Stub
bins
n Tess face paled.
ave had been playing cards unit
10 late, and as we were hungry Stubbin
IN said he would go out and get something
10 to eat before we went to bed. He wen
~ out at one o'clock. but has not returned
h. We've informed the police and
ts Tess face got paler and she leane
n against the wall.
Z. well, go on" she said. "Wha
pa elsc?''
That's about all. Isn't it enough
O. We are somewhat alarmed and it
1t probably best that you should know it.
he Tess hand trembled. There was tn
o. flash of diamond on it. Stubbins ha
,r placed it there and it meant worlds t
in both of them.
,c- Come, my girl" said Mrs. Nichol!
putting her arm around her and assi3
ing her to move away from the wal
Don't be unnecessarily alarmed.
may be all right yet. You must go /
the parlor and stay with us till h
comes"
"But what if he don't come? The
\ may bring him d" She could Nc
| pronounce the word. 1t was too te'
rible. She sat down in chair an
u waited with the rest.
| Hudson, feeling the silence oppre
| sive, played bar or two of populs
air on the piano, but each note SCENE
to be an intruder and he stopped.
II The boys could not endure inactiol
VI They must do something, even if
ia were only to walk TO the police static
It'll and back. The women were left alon
Dk Tess was in an agony of suspens
" Mrs Nichols tried to comfort her. fee
\ ing that was h duty as a friend. fl
" poor Tess had no mother or father. 81
fann1,ny- .rl a1nnn in ~