Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1893-04-14

Ill take that" said Leander.
Excuse me- was the objection, "bu
was to give it back to the lady her
self; had | not better put it on he
finger don't you think -
Are you married man. asked
Ieander, grilnLy
les, said the chemist
Then, if you'll take my advice,
wouldn't if | was you-if you're at nj
anxious - keep out Of trouble YouC
better give the ring TO Inc, and | give
You my word Of honor rs a gentleman
that III give it back to her. as soon rs
ever she's Well enough to ask for it,
The other adopted the advice, and
amidst the sympathy Of the bystanders
they got the statue into the cab
Where to- asked the man through
tic trap
"Chaling Cross said I.eander, at
random; he thought the drive would
give him time for reflection
The 'orspital ch:' said the cabman,
and drove off, leaving the mild chemist
70 stare Opcn-mouthcd on the pavement
for amoment, and go back to his shop
with i growing sense that he had had a
very UNUSUAL experience
Now that Icander was alone in the
cab with the statue, whose attitude
required Srtce and cramped him I'M
comfortably, he wondered more and
more what he was to do with it. He
could not afford to drive about London
forever with her; he dared not take her
nome, and he was afraid Of being seen
with her.
All 1T once nc seemed to see a way
out Of lis difficulty. Ills first step was
10 do what he could in the constantly
varying light to reduce the statue to
It's normal state. lie removed the cllris
Which had diSfigrHed her classical
brow, and with his pocket handker-
chief rubbed most Of the color from her
face. Then the cloak had only TO be
torn off and Ill that could bctray him
was gone.
Nearing Charing Cross, Lcander told
tic driver to take him down Parliament
street and stop 1T the entrance to Scot
land Yard. There the cabman, ut Lean
defS request, descended and stared to
find him huddl"d up under the gram-
ing pale arms Of Il statue
"Gnv'nor," he remarked, that Warll't
the fare | took up, I'll take nv diving
oathr'
It's I'LL ight,' said Leander Now,
! tell yon what ! want YOU do; go
straight in through tie archway, find a
policeman, and say there's il gentleman
III your cab that's found Il valuable
article that's been missing, and wants
assistance in bringing il in I'll take
care Of the cab, and here's double fare
for your troubler'
And with it, too" was the claimants
comment, rs he departed on his mis-
sion. i thought ii was the devil | was
a-drivin, we was tllat down on the orfI
setc,'
u WAS ITO part Of Icander's pro
gr.,nline TO wait for his return: lie thew
Tie cloak over his arm. pocketcd his
beld anil slipped out Of The cab and
across 70 i spot whence he could watch
unseen. And When he had seen the cab
man come ont with the two con&.ablcs
he felt assured that his burden was in
Southampton Row as quickly as the
next hanson he hailed could take him.
Ii entered his house by the back en-
trance; 1t was mguarled and although
he listened long ut the foot Of the stairs
NJ heard nothing Had the inspector
not come yet or WaS there 4 trap? AS
hc went on, he fanced there were
sounds in his Sitting-room, and went upI
70 tie door and listened Heryously be-
fore entering
ON. Miss Column, my poor dear" al
tremulonS voice which he recognized asI
lis aunt'S was saying; for mcrcy's sake
don't lie there like that, She's dying
and its my fault for letting her come
here. and what am | to say to her
MAJ"
ieander had heard enough; he burst
III with i white, hoITor-strickcn face.
YES it was true. Matilda was lying
back in his crazy arm-chair her eyes
fast closed, her lips parted.
Aunt nc said with difficulty. shes
not not dead"
If she's not. returned his aunt.
its no thanks to YOU. Ieandy Twcddle,
90 away YOU can do her no good
now"
Not till I've heard her speak, cried
IWeddle, tTiIIic, don't You hear-it'e
me-
10 his immense relief she opened her
eyes ut the sound Of his voice and then
turned away with q feeble gesture of
fear AMI avoidance. You have come
back, She moaned. land with her. oh. i
keep her away, can't bear it all over
again. | can't"
lie threw himself down by her chair
aud drew down the hands in which She
had hidden her face. Matilda. nv
poor. hardly used darling" he said.
I've come back alone, I've cot rid of
Ter, Title. I'm free. and there's no one
70 stand between us any more"
She pushed back her disordered fair
hair AMI looked 1T him with sweet.
troubled eyes But YOU went away
With her-forerer." she said; you said
you didn't love me any longer. l heard
You il WAS Just before and she
shuddefed II the recollection.
4 know" said Leander. soothingly.
Il was obligated TO speak harsh. to de
celye the-the other party. Title. I
tried - tell you. quiet-iike. that you
wasn't 10 mind; but you wouldn't take
10 notice. But there. we won't talk
about il any more SO long rs You for
give me-and You do. don't you:"
She hid her face against his shoulder.