The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1892-06-25

he will find IL when am dead This
is the joke that old man Death and
myself bAyo put up on the Dragon
and my only regret Is that l shall not
be able to enjoy look at the Drag
on's countenance as he reads my last
letter to him.
Another sum oil money have put
AWAY In good hands where he won't
have chance to get 1t for my funeral
expenses and then you see / am
through with the world. / have no.
body TO leave that need worry about
or who would either take care OF me
or feel sorry for me II / needed care
or sympathy. which I do not So
that is why laugh and that Is why !
come down and sit on this bench in
the sunshine and enjoy the postum
nous joke"
A sort OF friendship sprang up be-
tween Robbins and the Living Skele-
ton-at least as much OF friendship
as can exist between the living and
the dead. for Robbins was muscular
young fellow who did not need to live
at the Riviera on account OF his
health. but merely because he detested
an English winter. Besides this. it
may be added. although 1t is really
nobody's business, that a nice girl
and her parents lived in this particu-
lar part OF the south OF France
One day Robbins took a little ex-
cursion in carriage 10 Toulon. He
had invited the nice girl to go with
him. but on that particular day she
could not GO There was some big
charity function on hand. and one
necessary part OF tho affair was the
wheedling OF money out OF the peo-
pies pockets and the nice girl had
undertaken to do part OF the wheel
ling. On the evening OF the
day there was to be a ball ut the
principal hotel in the place. also
In connection with this very desirab BILE
charity. Robbins had reluctantly
gone to Toulon alone. and you may
depend upon 1t he was back in time
for the ball
Well" he said to the nice girl
when he met her. what luck collect
ing to-day"
oh. the greatest luck sne re.
piled enthusiastically. land who do
you think got the most money
fromp"
Il am sure haven't the slightest
idea that old English duke he GER
tainly has money enough"
NO not from him at all; the very
last person you would expect it from
your friend the Living Skeleton"
..Whatr' cried Robbins in alarm.
oh. I found him on the bench
where he usually sits in. tho avenue
OF palms / told him all about the
charity. and how useful 1t was. and
how necessary. aud how we all ought
to give as much as we could toward
it and he smiled and smiled at me in
that curious way OF his Yes he
said. In a whisper. i believe the
charity should be supported by every
one; l will give you eighty francs
Now. wasn't that very generous OF
himP Eighty francs that was ten
times what the duke gave and as he
handed me the money he looked up
ut me and said in that awful whisper
Of his Count that over carefully
when you get home and see II you
can find out what else l have given
you There Is more than eighty
francs there Then. alter got
home. L"
But here the nice girl paused. when
she looked at the face OF Robbins. TO
whom she was talking. The face
was CHASTITY pale and his eyes were
staring ut her but not seeing her.
Eighty francs" no was whispering
TO himself and he seemed to be maxi
ing a mental calculation in subtrac-
ton. Then noticing the girls amazed
look Mt him. he said:
did you take the money!"
of course took it." she said.
why shouldn't lp"
Great heavens" gasped Robbins,
and then he turned and fled, leaving
tae nice girl transfixed with astonish.
mont and staring after him with
frown on her pretty brow.
What does he mean by such con.
1uctp" she asked herself But Robbins
from the gathering throng
In the large room Of The hotel. dashed
down the steps and hurried along the
pavement toward the Golden
Dragon. The proprietor was standing
in the hallway with his hands behind
him. usual attitude with Dragon.
Where" gasped Robbins. lis Mr..
Mr." and then he remembered he
1idn't know tho name. where is
he Living Skeleton?"
He has gone to his room"
the Dragon. Tho went
early to-night-he wasn't feeling we'll.
think"
What is the number OF his roomp"
'.No. 40" and the proprietor rang
/ loud jangling bell whereupon one
)f the hambermaids appeared.
Show this gentleman to No. 49,"
The girl preceded Robbins up the
stairs. Once she looked over her
shoulder. and said In whisper. lis
no worseP"
Il don't know" answered Robbins;
hats what have come to see."
At No. 40 the girl paused and
'apped lightly on the door panel.
There was no response. She raped
gain this time louder. There was
till no response
Try the door," said Robbins.
II am afraid to-" said the girl.
,xVhyp,5