The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-01-31

1OA bllb hti Dbtl lOllpWtu anu
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 partalSe of it. They were
tired, sleepy and nervous.
"Is 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 I tell Tess?" Dibble asked.
Never mind telling Tess" Gilmore
replied "She would worry too much"
Tess was Stubbins sweetheart. and
she lived in the fat 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. Wen 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.
"Not yet, " said Gilmore. "Let us be
sure first"
At three Stubbins had appeared
neither at his office nor at 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-
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.
Why" she exclaimed. 81 didn't ex-
pect to find you gentlemen at home at
this time of the day"
There was a painful silence, during
which the smile faded from the girls
mouth and eyes as she saw the anxious
looks in the faces before her.
''What is the matter?" she asked.
No one answered. Each looked at
the others in silence
Tell me, please" she said, looking
at Gilmore.
''Well, you see, Miss Tess" said Gil
more, his voice and hand trembling to-
gether, ''we're somewhat alarmed
that is a little alarmed-about Stub
bins
Tess face paled.
1--WE had been playing cards until
late, and as we were hungry Stubbins
said he would go out and get something
to eat before we went to bed. He went
out at one o'clock, but has not returned
We've informed the police and''-
Tess face got paler and she leaned
against the wall.
well, go on" she said. "What
else?"
"Thats about all. Isn't it enough?
We are somewhat alarmed and it is
probably best that you should know it."
Tess hand trembled. There was the
flash of a diamond on it. Stubbins had
placed it there and it meant worlds to
both of them.
''Come, my girl" said Mrs. Nichols,
putting her arm around her and assist
ing her to move away from the wall.
Don't be unnecessarily alarmed 1t
may be all right yet. You must go in
the parlor and stay with us till he
comes"
but what if he don't come? They
may bring him d" She could not
pronounce the word. 1t was too ter
llDlCs l1llC oCil NlONh III d CllCllI anu
waited with the rest.
Hudson, feeling the silence oppres-
sive played a bar or two of popular
air on the piano, but each note seemed
to be an intruder and he stopped.
The boys could not endure inaction
They must do something, even if it
We're only to walk to the police station
and back. Tne women were left alone
Tess was in an agony of suspense
Mrs. Nichols tried to comfort her, feel
ing that was her duty as a friend, for
poor Tess had no mother or father. She
was a piano teacher, and alone in the
world but for Stubbins, who was the
light of her life. They were only wait
ing until they could afford to marry.
He hoped to be able to buy a little cot
tage he had in mind within year and
then their long companionship was to
begin. Tess saw this fading away.
Mrs Nichols could comfort her but
little.
At six o'clock the boys returned. No
news.
After light lunch they returned to
the police station,
Seven o'clock came and went. Eight,
too; yet neither Stubbins nor the boys
came. Tess was becoming extremely
Dervous, almost frantic. Nine o'clock
and there We're steps on the stairs.
They were the boys.
SIS there any word?" Tess asked.
''None, " was the answer The boys
were restless and anxious. They could