St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1892-07-21

CALLAGHAN'S FAILURE.

gagged in an inspection of silverware
that seemed to interest him exceed
inglv. He examined each article
carefully, often stopping long enough
to test the particular object with his
teeth, or even to bend it. At the
same time his actions were quiet.
and, one might say, reserved. He
did not appear to care to be noticed.
He was a rather tall young fellow,
"carelessly dressed" as they say IN
novels, and had pale face, like
students. One might, indeed, have
thought him a poor student were 1t
not for his eyes, which instead OF
looking tired and dreamy like
students, were exceedingly active
and restless On the whole, his face
and his general appearance were not
progressing. Indeed, the police
man on the beat most frequented by
MIR. Callaghan in social life reported
him at the precinct house as "a
general tough-suspiciOus
Mr.. Callaghan, though very young,
had already learned the value of ex-
ceeding caution. Hence he was al
most noiseless, and he inspected the
silverware in the very mild light OF
half-opened lantern. A happy smile
PLAYED around the corners of his face
the while, for the silverware he was
examining proved to be one OF the
finest and newest, and bore the
monogram of a famous New York
family. For that matter, the entire
surroundings of Mr.. Callaghan at
the time were of the richest. The
very sideboard at which he labored
was worth a small fortune, and the
cut glass upon it looked very beautl-
full in the mellow light. There were
rich tints in some OF the glassware,
occasioned by their contents, but
Mr.. Callaghan did not stop to
examine them He did not believe
in drinking during business hours.
The time was something after mid
night.
Mr.. Callaghan was aroused from
his pre-occupation by a faint click.
1t sounded very much like the click
of a trigger as revolver cooked
1t was trife startling, but he did
not lose his presence of mind. He
faced around like flash, and turned
off the rays of his dark lantern. He
knew it was almost useless to take
the latter precaution, however, for
he was well informed, and he knew
that in the houses of the rich of to-
day it required but the pressing of a
button to turn on a full stream OF
electric lights throughout an entire
floor. The sudden burst of light
came Just as he expected it would,
and as it did SO he heard a voice say,
Don't dare to move"
He was more startled by the voice
than he was by the sudden glare OF
the electric lights, for it was the
voice of a young girl. Mr.. Gala
CHAN blinked a few times, took a
good look, and then his thin face
broadened trif1e into a smile. At
the other end of the room stood a
very pale but resolute girl in pink
wrapper She held a little gold
mounted revolver of a calibre SO
small that Mr. Callaghan, but for
his natural politeness, would have
laughed at it outright and she was
biting her lip, for she was apparent
1v very nervous. The revolver was
pointed in Mr. Callaghan's direction
but. alasl the hand that held it was
shaking very perceptibly. Gala
CHAN grinned "Isn't it rather late
for YOU to be out?' he asked her.
Don't dare to move" she replied
81 know precisely what to do. Papa
told me before he went away. l an
going to send the burglar alarm and
have you arrested. Then you will
be sent to state prison
WELL" almost laughed Mr.. Gala
CHAN, why don't you do it ? I'm
waiting"
Because, she answered, hesitat
ingly-"because you're standing IL
front of it."
''Oh, am I?'' answered Callaghan
"Then I'll move away. l always
like to be polite to ladies'" He
moved away few steps.
She frowned little bit. Then sht
said: Excuse me- Will you pleas
move little further away?"
"Certainly," he answered.; ANY
thing to oblige real lady"
She stepped toward the alarm
which Callaghan had not until the1
perceived, and stretched forth he
hand. She was about to turn tn
little handle, when Callaghan said
hastily:
Hold on a minute. Do you thinl
that would be nice thing to do :
"Ofcourseit would" she answered
LUST think about it moment,
Cailaghan continued. eff you d.
that, I'll be arrested, and sent up 70
fifteen or twenty years. Fifteen o
twenty years in a little cell all b.
myself, with no one to talk to an
nothing to do-except break ston
for my health. Now l don't car
anything about it myself. Of cours
haven't got away with the silver
and therefore there isn't any wron
done you-is there? l tried to, Blu
you have got the best OF. me, an
you're an awful brave little girl t
do it, too. Just think of yourse