The morning call., 1892-06-17

in, save and except by climbing over the
I fence, and no doubt with view to stealing
the poor dumb creature. Moreover, he saws
he has no home and no address, which
doubtless means he is an out-and-out Lon
don thief"
The accused, meanwhile. looked uncon-
cerned and even little amused at the con-
stables discourse, but his face suddenly
changed as Laurel Kirke rushed forward,
threw herself before him and burst into
passionate entreaty.
"Ob. uncle. he is innocent-It is Chris.
As II Chris conld be a burglar, or want 10
steal your goat! He is the best: the trueSt'
grandest man in all the world On, uncle,
do save him from HobbSl Do believe me-
l would answer for his goodness with my
life. If Chris has been proving It IS be-
cause my wicked temper has robbed MN Oh
his reason. Aunt how could any one say
his looks were against him! and Laurel
elung to the prisoner. disregarding the sur
prise and Indignation around.
"If there's been any mistake, miss, l
humbly begs to apologize" said the con-
stable, much bewildered; but what could
this here waga-gent be wanting with MS
honorable w0rship's prize gOat?'
Permit me to explain" said the prisoner.
Our good friend here refused to listen to
my protest against these handouts, deelar
ing that my words would be used against
myself; several stout villagers assisted him
in my arrest, so l felt resistance would be
useless l had no idea Miss Kirke was stay
ing beneath this roof; regret my intrusion
upon her she will understand 1t was un-
aYodable."
Laurel was in tears, her only audible
words being "Oh, Chris"' and Kant
schatka!'
Il am, continued the accused. with dig
nifty, 'an amateur photographer and IN this
ATcadian village l have spared no pains IN
seeking and obtaining various specimens OF
I'D mn IF
nature, pictures Of human and animal me-
the statue on your lawn, your maid hanging
out the linen, and several interesting cpl
sOdeS Of rural cOuTtShIp."
you amt no photographer cried out
GddeS. suspiciously. where's your camera
and your stand and all the rest oil ltF Ana
what was yOu adding of with bag in our
summeT-hOuse? l saw you; I'm prepared
to give my evidence that l did"
your observation is keen and correct,
was the reply; my camera IS here, Just
within my cOat-it is a Detective and
takes up, as you perceive, very little room.
Having VeuIured within these grounds TOR
which l must APOLOGIZE TO photograph the
statue believe representative of Aquarius
i further took the liberty Of changing my
plate Gn the bag | carry for that purpose,
within the arbOr. l am staying at the
StOnebridGe Hotel; may l now request the
removal Of these appendices and wish these
Take off the handouts, Hobbs" said Mr..
Tyrrel. laughing. 80 you are Chris Good
ing, are you? We must improve your ae-
qaintaDce. young man; come my dear,
Laurel will entertain Mr. GoOding for
awhile. Gddes, see that Hobbs has good
breakfast"
I'VE must all be photographed" said Mrs.
Tyrrel, as Laurel aud GOOding were left
alone 81 wonder how it VIII come Out-if
we shall be able to tell one another apart.
Really, when one sees him nearer. young
Goodng has nice eyes and an extremely
pleasing nose
$50 You are not quite Indifferent 20 my
fate, Laurel?" asked the accused, sinking
into deeper captivity than ever, as the girls
two trembling hands futtered TO his own.
Il thought you had long since forgotten all
about me- Did you not tell me, my cab be-
ing delayed last month by a stoDDage, l
must foreg0 all claim 10 your memory and
yOuT affactions?"
"Oh, Chris. forget my wicked temDer
that day; forgive mel longed to write
but they said You had gone abroad"
81 intended doing so ere long, my dar-
ling, bnt now think l shall alter my plans.
Where's that man Hobbs? l owe him
testimonial for insisting on bringing me to
the manor"
'Uncle whispered to me to bring you to
breakfast" said Laurel, the smiles break
ing out like April sunshine; you must
take Us all in a group, Chris. Oh, how
little thought what to-day would bring,
when Gddes appeared to report you IN
custody"
''Al's we'll that ends we'll" remarked her
fiance, as he followed her to the breakfast
room, and received the merry coUgratuia-
tions Of his future relatives. But we wont
fall out again, little woman: even my de-
tectiYe camera could not heal the soreness
in my heart l have thought Of a plan to
prevent the risk Of my losing sight Of you
again"
Aud the scheme resulted in a double we'd
ding next month at 0xslppes, Hobbs hav-
the manor gates, so deep was the popular IN
terest in the two fair cousins who graced
the occasion as brides.