The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-05-17

Iner hearts sank within them
Rather. " they conceded.
And 10 carry il on the bonnet ID q
convenient manner of avoiding the dn-
ty."
They were undonei
But we are wearing i'll" screeched
Annora Melissa painted
"Mesdames, | admire your ingenuity,
but such an amount Of new lace cannot
be passed even on your bonnets Two,
three, FIVE meters, " he went on, meas
uring the unlucky lace with his eye,
''fichu, founce, etc So many francs or
I confiscate it.
EN- voiture, sill vous plaitr' was
heard.
The sum demanded by the officer add
ed to what they had paid in purchase
would have made the lace the dearest
that ever was bought They tore of
their bonnets, pulled ont innumerable
pins, set free the fichus, hounces, etc,
put them into the officers hands and
ran TO their seats. Out of breath and
out Of pocket they were most unhappy.
Successful cheating is one thing, but
unsuccessful cheating is another and
auses sharp pangs of conscience
"Too badp' cried Melissa ms the train
moved On. I'VE were entitled to what
we wore"
1T was that German, " said Annora
"He understood English. He heard
what we said. He told the official Oh,
q man may grin and grin and be q vii
laini"
They groaned over their misfortune.
The FIRST time the train stopped the vii
lain entered their compartment, still
grinning. They glared at him, but he
still grinned They took refuge in ST.
lence. He began to speak:
Ladies" he said in Londonese Eng
hsh. IT was very sorry to have to incur
your ~displeasure, but / felt that it was
my duty to report Jon at the douane.
You had innocently told me all about
the lace on your bonnets, and for the
credit Of ~ country, for the sake Of
English honesty, / was constrained to
point out your bonnets to that official
Can you forgive mel"
Nub Shlu dLuOEA
But Melissa thought that, notwith-
standing his wicked cruelty, there was
something very pleasant in his smile
entreat your forgiveness. ladies;
more, | humbly ask a favor"
"Sir?" exclaimed Annora.
Miss Wylie, Miss Annora Wylie'-
the presuming wretch had seen their
names ON their luggage, even their
Christian names-''you will confer a
great favor ON me if You will tell me
your address"
Annora Redeemed; Melissa blushed
Perhaps he was ashamed of the cruel
part he had played and was about to
offer an apology; perhaps their brave
and gentle endurance of misfortune had
touched him; perhaps their charms had
30 won upon him that he wished to see
more of them, with q view to-their
suggestions broke off rapidly.
Annora looked at Melissa, and Melissa
looked at Annora Then the elder sister
spoke. I'VE live at 113 Angelina gar
dens, Edwin square. South Kensington,
s. w"
The stranger made q Of the adj
dress. Melissa was ON the point Of ask
ing his name when he said abruptly,
"You shall hear from me- Then he
discoursed ON the country through which
they were passing, after which he buried
himself in q Figaro and talked no more
At the next stoppage he said a brusque
Good morning, ladies, I" and left the
compartment. and they saw no more of
him.
There was considerable flutter in the
breast Of Melissa, who was of a roman
tic turn Of mind, and who could only
imagine n reason why this stranger
should want her address. She still be-
lieved that he was a German who spoke
English remarkably well, and she had
seen that he was not a gentleman; she
therefore made up her mind 10 refuse
the offer Of marriage which no doubt he
would shortly make.
Arrived in Angelina gardens, the
Misses Wylie were occupied in arrang-
ing the household, and couple Of busy
days were spent by them. On the third
lA0y 0AbU1 tIOAA OAAO OQ1uA4A bRkOy AG|
by the same post q parcel and o
letter. Annora opened the carefully tied
and sealed parcel, while Melissa read
the letter. Having read it once 10 her.
self, she next read IL aloud 10 her sister:
MEsDAHEs-T felt myself under . very great
obligation TO you the other day at BlAndain.
I'm Q very thin man, but I was swathed round
With hundreds Of yards Of ane Brussels lace,
md / thought that the best way OF drawing
he attention Of the custom house ofacers from
myself was 70 draw IL to you. II was purely In
defense that ! directed the raid on your
Having been the cause or the loss OF
vcur lace. / wfsh TO make you due compensa-
ION. and ! beg leave to send you some aner
lace than that which ron lost. am obedient-
lyyours. Y0UR sroUr FEILow TRAvErxR.
Melissa took possession OF o black
lace iiounce and Annora Of dozen yards
Of white lace and o lace edged handker-
CHIEF, and they quite forgaye the stout
German for his cruelty and for his stout
ness-E. Bayard Harrison in Strand
.#E n---x rH.