The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1891-11-13

may as well stop OH and see my mother az
Hunsdon, and tell here what good luck there
is in store for me, thanks to you, sir. And
will call on you at the address you gave me
in New York on Thursday, at o'clock in
| the morning"
Hunsdonl That was good way off. 1t
would be nearly morning when we reached
Hunsdon, thought. And while was think
ng"
"Alfordl All out for Alford"
Could it be possible Here was the bright
sun shining in at the curtained window, the
| porter's jolly face close to mine.
make haste, sab Afford, sab! Amt no
time to lose!'
made dab at my ulster, caught my bag
and made rush for the door, wondering as
did so how and when could have gone to
sleep, and how lucky it was that l had not
removed either coat, waistcoat or boots when
lay down in the Deodora.
| l glanced at my watch-an inexpensive
silver timekeeper--and found that it was
little past z.
early r said l, to myself; "but old Met
calfe expressly said was TO lose no time
III go direct to Farboro's place"
| AS the thought coursed through my mind
I invoiuntarily clapped my hand on the
breastpocket in which | carried the precious
package containing, as had been told, $4,000
in bills of large denominations.
1t was not there
In vain I searched; in vain l turned the
lining inside out. 1t was absolutely empty.
l staggered up against the nearest lamp post
with deadly sinking of the heart.
Oh, that foul traitor with the starveling
face and the hollow eyesl That fatal SUM
Der in the rocking arms of the Deodora
could see it all now as in the clear deeps
| of mirror I had been duped, deceived,
ruined
In the midst of my CONSERVATION I realized
that had not an instant of time to waste.
hurried back to the station, telegraphed
] to the next stopping place of the express, in
terviewed the local police, and having done
all that there was to be done, decided that it
was best to return at once to New York and
make clean breast of it to Metcslfe q 20.
Alas for my fond vision of preferment
The orange twilight was fading away
over the western roofs when reached New
York. 1t was too late to 60 to the office
the fat old porter would have long since shut
the iron clamped doors.
| scarcely cared to face Mr.. Metcalfe until
his after dinner glass of old port had some
what softened the acerbity of his business
mood.
on 90 home first told myself. "I've
| got to break this news to Mollie-she may as
| we'll know it first as last, poor girl And
Ill 60 to old Metcalfe afterward"
skunk home through the byways, lurking
along like a thief, and shrinking at the eyes
of an occasional policeman, until L reached
my own door.
Mollie came rushing into my arms with
little shrek.
ooh, Tom p' she cried, "did you find il
out pr
"Find what out ?"
about the money, Tom. You left it
here p
stared at her. Had she taken leave other
sensesP
Il changed the waistcoat, Tom," she utter
ed rapidly, while you were going for the
boots This one had button loose and look
ed shabby, so put that one in its place, and
1 forgot to tell you oft. lnever thought OF
the money being in the pocket, and here 1t
lay, package and all, on the table, when !
came back from the depot Oh, Tom,
haven't slept wink since"
II have p cried l, bursting into hoarse
laugh. "On the sleeping car Deodora y
caught up the package and rushed back
to the depot.
An express went out at a few minutes after
| 7, and had barely time to leap on the back
platform of the last car.
could have shouted and sung for very
| lightness Of heart.
Altogether, it seemed as if the fates were
conspired in my favor.
Mr.. Dusantoy was in Europe and Mr.. Far
boro had only just returned, within the hour,
from iaunt to Canada fishing stream.
"Very judicious Of you, young man." said
he, "to wait until my arrival. This note con-
tains matter for my eyes alone"
Mr. Metcalfe commended me also.
II see," said he, shat did well in leaving
matters to your discretion. Any expenses
| you may have incurred during your stay In
Afford will be settled by the bookkeeper."
"Oh, that was mere trif1e, sir" said !.
And took advantage of my chiefs genial
mood to mention the case of Mr.. Bernard
Cushing the pale youth whom hated so
heartily for few brief, agonized hours.
Mr.. Metcafe wrote his name down in GER
tain mysterious pocket book, which the
clerks, among themselves, had nicknamed
"The Book of Judgment" and l knew the
matter was settled.
received substantial promotion the next
week.
Bernard Cushing was engaged under me
and his gratitude was something touching.
AS for Mollie, she has not yet forgiven her
self for the fright she SO unwittingly gave
me.
But shall never again enter sleeping car
without thinking of the Deodora.