San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-02-18

would have the unblushing effrontery to
disturb the solitude of a perfect stranger
as you have done?"
My answer on the pad was briefly this
"Glad to make your acquaintance"
The fact is fancied at the time he was
non compos mentis, some escaped bed
lamite, and thought my safest plan would
be to humor him until he could be secure
ly placed in the custody of his keeper.
Again the fantastic nobleman used the pad
and placed the following terse sentence in
my hand, Cant return the compliment"
Enraged at this wanton insult l started
to my feet and flung the pad in his face.
MY next design was to secure the poniard.
but the fend, anticipating my action, had
the advantage of me, for in the twinkling
of an eye the mysterious villain stood
erect before me fiourishing the glittering
weapon over his head in brigandlike and
menacing position. l had no weapon Of
defense, not even a blackthorn stick. He
perceived my trepidation and seemed to
exult in it. l was about to call for help
but on receiving another basilisklihe
glance from the eyes of the demoniacal
Spaniard my tongue refused it's Office My
next idea was to ring, but l could find no
bell. By simple motion of his deadly
poinard he next indicated that he would be
happy to relieve me of my watch. | ac-
coded to his polite request, and would have
given all possessed to escape from such a
frightful dilemma. The burglarious ruff
fan, having obtained possession of my
chronometer, seemed to be fully satisfied
A grim, sarcastic smile lit up his pale
features as he pocketed my watch, STROBE
slowly to the door and placed the key in
the *.
After surveying me in apparent derision
for some moments he made use of the fol-
lowing unmeaning and nonsensical ejacu-
lations as he took his leave:
"Hal hal hol hol hui! hui hel he! hi! hir'
After his departure thought of alarm.
ing the house at once, but after mature
consideration l concluded to let bygones
be bygones "Who knows" reasoned l.
"but even now the miscreant may have a
dozen confederates, each armed with a
deadly stiletto and thirsting for my blood. +"
Having thus satisfied myself, immedi-
ately locked myself in and the assassin
out. At length sought the repose of my
peaceful couch, a wiser if not richer man.
But my rest was disturbed. In my dreams
/ saw midnight specters. Unpleasant
phantasies haunted my brain. The next
morning | arose with an aching head.
related to mine host all that had occurred.
He evinced great surprise and shortly aft
erward announced the arrival of my friend,
Tom Power. The next moment Tom
rushed into the dining room. His face was
wreathed in smiles.
"Glad to see you, old boy" said he. "You
look pale and worn; what's the matters
Did you not sleep well2" described to
him my strange nocturnal visitor of the
preceding night. Should you behold this
Spanish noble again." he asked, would
you remember the face?" Remember
exclaimed. Thunder and lightning, Tom,
can ever forget it?"
Excuse me for one moment" said he, as
he approached the door leading to the bar
while at the same time he drew some dark
material from his coat tail pocket. He next
raised his hands, as | thought, to adjust
his neckerchief, but, wonder of wonders
what was my unutterable amazement on
beholding, as he turned his face toward
me, the facsimile, the exact counterpart
of my Spanish torturer.
"Soldp cried Tom in stentorian voice.
"Ha! ha! Ho! no! Hui hui Hell Hell
Hill Hip
"Tom," said l, 81 demand an instant ex-
PLANTATION. What induced you to'-
calm yourself" interposed Tom; "quell
your anger-my explanation is this: You
remember on the night of the masquerade
ball in Dublin few months ago you per.
petrated a practical joke at my expense3
Well, resolved then to return the com
pliment some day, and you see how beauti
fully have succeeded. 1t is simply case
of diamond cut diamond. My sole reason
for not accompanying you on the train yes
terday was that might purchase this wig
and beard. arrived here late last night,
and hearing you were about to retire con.
cocted scheme, in which the landlord,
who is fond of joke. admirably assisted
me-"
"Tom," said |, "your thespian skill is
proportionate to your ability as painter
/ readily admit that made grand faux
pas last night in installing an old friend
for Spanish robber. Return my chro-
ncmeter and accept my forgiveness, for al.
though / turned the laugh against you in
Dublin, must candidly confess that you
outwitted- me in Glendalough. barry
Death to Pimples.
A great many men are troubled with
pimples on the face, which are unsightly
at best, and especially annoying when they
come, as they often do on the nose. OF
course they arise from some impurity of
the blood and need constitutional treat
ment, but until this is obtained safe and
easy way of preventing them is to apply
arnica to the skin. A pimple never comes
without warning; few hours before there
is always slight Inflammation or swell
ing, and if drop of arnica be applied to
the spot when the swelling begins half a
dozen applications in the course of day
will drive the pimple back under the skin.
st. Louis Globe-Democrst.