The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1892-06-03

and my only regret is that | shall not
be able to en- oy a look at the Drag
on 5 countenance as he reads my last
letter TO him.
Another sum Of money / have put
away n good hands where he won't
have a chance to get it, for my funeral
e penses. and then you see | am
through with the world. | have no.
body 10 leave nat 1 need worry about
Or who would either take care of me
or feel sorry for me if l needed care
or sympathy. which l do not. So
that is why l laugh and that Is why |
come down and sit on this bench in
the sunshine and enjoy the postum
nous .oke.'
A sort OF friendship sprang up be.
tween Robbins and the Living Skele-
ton-at least. AZ much of a friendship
as can exist between the living and
the dead, ior Robbins was Il muscular
young fellow who did not need TO live
at the J~::yiera on account of his
health. bat merely because be detested
an English winter. Besides this. it
may be added. although it 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 n little ex-
cursion in a carriage 70 Toulcn. He
had invited the nice girl to go with
him. Dnt on that particular day she
could not go. There was some big
chariiF junction on hand. and one
necessary part of the affair was the
wheetiiH#. of money out of the peo-
pies pockets. and the rice girl had
undertaken to do part of the wheed-
ling. On the evening Of the
day there was TO ba Il bail at the
principal hotel in the place. also
in connection with this very desirable
charity. Robbins had reluctantly
gone to Toulon alone. and you may
depend upon it he was back in time
for the ball.
Well" he said 10 the nice girl
when he met her. what luck collect
ing to-day"
oh, the greatest luck. she re-
piled enthusiastically. land who do
you think l got the most money
from?"
Il am sure I 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"
What" cried Robbins. in alarm.
h , I1-o ~ 3I0 Io.al
where he usually sits, in the venue
of palms. I told him all about the
charity. and how useful it was. and
how necessary, and how We all ought
to give as much as we could toward
it, aud he smiled and smiled at me in
that curious way of his. 1es.' he
said. in a whisper, / believe the
charity should be supported by every
one; l will give you eighty francs.
Now, wasn't that very generous of
him? Eighty francs that was ten
times what the duke gave, and as he
handed me the money he looked up
at me and said in that awful whisper
of his Count that over carefully
when you get home and see if you
can find out what else l have given
you. There is more than eighty
francs thsre.' Then, after l 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 at her but not seeing her.
Eighty francs" he was whispering
to himself. and he seemed to be MAX
ing a mental calculation in subtrac-
ton. Then noticing the girls amazed
look at him. he said:
Did you take the money!"
.Of course 1 took it." she said.
why shouldn't II"
Great heavens!" gasped Robbins,
and hen he turned and fled, leaving
the nice girl transfxed with astonish-
ment and staring after him with a
frown on her pretty brow.
What does he meal by such con-
duct" she asked herself. But Robbins
disappeared from the gathering throng
in the large room of the hotel, dashed
down the steps and hurried along the
udffOW pdNoiutuG tOWdEO tuc 1OlOtu
Dragon. The proprietor was standing
in the hallway with his hands behind
him. a usual attitude with Dragon.
Where" gasped Robbins. lis Mr..
Mr." and then he remembered he
didn't know the name. Where is
the Living Skeleton?"
He has gone to his ROOM"
answered the Dragon, The went
early to-night-he wasn't feeling well,
I think"
What is the number of his room?"
mo. 40" and the proprietor rang
a loud. jangling bell, %whereupon n
of the chambermaids appeared.
Show this gentleman to No. 40"
The girl preceded Robbins up the
stairs. Once she looked over her
shoulder. and said in a whisper, us
he worse?"
Il don't know" answered Robbins;
that's what l have come to see."
At No. 40 the girl paused and
raped lightly on the door panel.
There was no response. She raped
again, this time louder. There was
still nj response.
Try the door," said Robbins.