Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1895-08-08

and .s.at ne vas right He stood mo
ment in the doorway and looked can
ticnsly in, peering about at the luxury.
but at the saue time noting that il was
not the dressing room for which he was
looking. Before he could step back and
turn down the corridor again the unex-
pected happened He received a sudden
and violent push from behind, which
flung him forward ont of the doorway
into the room, tho door was instantly
locked upon him. and he was prisoner.
ssSmythe luckr' said the poor man
as he tried in vain to open the door and
knew by the rumpus he could hear out
side that the house was in state Of ex-
element II suppose they will think
was trying to steal something
And TO add 10 his terror he heard the
alarmed household coming mp stairs,
and the mat moment the door Of his
room was opened, and his host, backed
by all the male guests, stood in the open
doorway.
What are you doing here?" was tho
first question his host propounded Tell
the truth now as You would hope for
mercy"
II came here to get my hat and
coat, - said the professor, the dignity of
all the Smythes since Mount Ararat in
his thin, rasping tones.
"a likely story. Turn your pockets
inside out, commanded the host
'.I refuse to do it.
Then / will send for the police.
was willing TO give you chance. but
8 10 IA .a.A1
guilty"
ST am not thief.
81 do not know. Your actions are
very suspicious You can explain mat
tiers 20 the chief of police There must
be reasons why you refuse to be search
ed If you are honest, you can have moth
ing to conceal T"
A hollow laugh rang through the
room. Was it possible the bold intruder
dared to laugh at them2 1t was the
laugh of despair, and as such it smote
upon the heart of the host, who looked
troubled and perplexed. HIS enforced
guest sa> the look, and it suggested "A
hn6 on action to him.
''Send these men away" he said,
pointing o the group of alarmed guests
crowding in at the door. He was glad
the women had remained below stairs
and not come TO gaze upon his discom-
future. He did not know that they were
locked up in fear and trembling in dis
tant parlor
eve won't go, chorused the group
"He may want to murder you.
Il don't think he will, said the host,
who was really soft hearted. "I'll trust
him, and you fellows can go TO the la
dies I'll call if need help"
They went, rather glad TO be out of it,
and the two men, left together, eyed
each other, one waiting for the other to
speak. They We're exactly opposite i'll
appearance, one rosy and rubicund, the
other thin and anxious meager trav-
esty ON successful man.
81 refused to let you search me-, said
the professor slowly, "because-oh, my
God, how can acknowledge i'll am
theft
The other man started and moved to-
ward the door Then he waited.
"Ihave stolen from you-here, lee me
show You, and you will know why /
could have died easier than TO have these
people gloatine over me. See here-and
here and here. "
He took the valuables out of his peck
ct one by one They made a strange ex-
hibit as he piled them up ON the table
in front of him. They were a roll Of
dinner bread, pate, a sweetbread roll
ed i'll leaf of Nttuce, chicken breast,
a bit of toasted bread and a caviare
sandwich He brought them out TO the
last crumb, with the manner of one who
lays his life on the altar Of sacrifice.
''Great heavens, man, what does this
mean?' asked the astonished host
at means, replied the other solemn
Iy, "tlat my sick wife and my little
children are starving, and that l pilfer-
ed from my share of food at your table
to give them, for my rent is overdue,
and the money earned is already
spent. "
'But what did you eat yourself?"
more than / have eaten for many a
day But now do with me what you
will. +"
Would you nina putting these things
back into your pocket?'' inquired his
| host vaguely. "Now come with me. !"
He took him by the arm and led him
down stairs and into the presence of the
shaking guests. "I-I made bad mis-
take, my friends, he said. "This gen.
tleman has proved himself perfectly in
nocent of any attempt at crime, and
must beg you foreman silent as to the
events of this evening. He is under my
protection from this time, and you will
all agree with me that we are extremely
sorry that such mistake should have
occurred.
OF course they all agreed with the
sentiments of their host, whatever they
were, and Professor Smythe was allow
ed to take his leave amid profuse apollo
gies Mrs. NJ. L. Rayne in Detroit Free
Press,