The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-09-24
IDIOT CHIyERs r

Mrs. Perkins. the stately housekeeper Of
Templeton Hall, looked at the letters be-
fore her with a smile of satisfaction. The
smile broadened as she glanced from these
to the trim, neatly dressed young woman
who had brought them.
Eyes, ma am"
She was so modest withal. That was
smother of her strong recommendations in
Mrs. Perkins eyes. She did not assume
the airs that some parlor maids would
have assumed who had been in the service
of a countess.
''WeIl, you can consider yourself en-
gagged. When can you Gomez
''Let me see, ma'am. VIII Wednesday
dor"
"Wednesday viii do very well, Harriet
What is your other name?''
Observation-Disclosures Beverton. Thank
you, ma am, thank you very much. I will
send my box on Tuesday night and begin
my duties on Wednesday,
There was good deal of conversation in
the servants quarters that evening re-
specting the merits of the new parlor maid
But if the engagement of the new parlor
maid caused futter of excitement there
was yet greater excitement manifested
next day, when it was discovered that the
STEWARDSHIP Horace Tenpleton, the owner
Of Templeton Hall, was away at the time
had engaged a new footman, who was
to commence his duties simultaneously
with the new parlor maid.
AS it happened, Chivers the new foot
man, did not commence his duties stimuli
taneously with Miss Harriet Beverton
the new parlor maid. He arrived by an
earlier train The first duty imposed upon
him was an agreeable one to a gentleman
of the gallantry of Mr.. Chivers. He had
to meet Miss Beverton and conduct her to
Templeton Hall.
Chivers could not help glance of adj
miration at Miss Beverton. If he, Chivers
was smart, she was decidedly smarter. She
was dressed with scrupulous neatness, and
a we'll knit figure set OF her attire to the
best advantage.
sAny box?'' he asked.
'tNo; sent it off yesterday
"Did you-haw9 That's a good thing
because-haw-we can walk-haw-com-
Portable like Would you-haw-mind
taking-hRw-1ny armr'
What could Miss Beverton do? She
could only do what, in fact, she did-place
her arm coyly and confidingly within the
gallant arm of Mr.. Chivers. He was very
proud of the honor, hawed and hawed
more than ever, twirled his side whiskers
more than ever and glanced at her with
more and more admiration.
Miss Beverton had been installed in her
new duties under the critical eye of Mrs.
Perkins and had been SO busy that it was
| past o. IN. and quite dark without when
| she assembled to her room for the purpose,
as she explained to her fellow dolnestics,
| of turning few things out of her box"
She unlocked her box with curious
| smile. She lifted up a quantity of straw
! and took from under it a jimmy, mum
Der of skeleton keys, a revolver and pair
| of shoes with india rubber sOles. She
| quickly slipped off her own boots, threw
/ them in the box and put on the shoes.
| Then she took from her pocket plan Of
Templeton Hall and scrutinized it closely
''That's the room; no doubt about it.
must commence operations as soon as pos
| sible. -
| She locked up her box again and put the
! jimmy the keys and the revolver in -
large leather pocket secreted under her
! skirt.
AS she rose she caught sight of herself
| in the glass and laughed softly.
! "What would that idiot Chivers think
if he could see me now? 1 believe he was
quite gone on me. The way he squeezed
i my arm and the spoony looks he threw at
me- Are you-haw-Miss Beverton?' -
she said, initiating "that idiot Chivers'
and laughing outright at the recollection.
She made her way to Lady Templeton 5
| chamber. The door was locked, but she
found little difficulty in opening it. Then
she locked it on the inside.
''May as well guard myself against in
! corruption. The job may take some little
| time
She produced piece of candle from her
pocket and lit it, then examined the plan
again.
Window overlooking the lawn, she
read. Eyes, that S the window Safe on
1 side opposite the window, let into the wall
] Perfectly concealed by what appears to be
the wall itself. 1t is covered by a fresco.
| Find the figure of a Cupid yard from the
ground and press hard the small space
represented by it's heel. "
! She pressed hard and in an instant a
| door few noiselessly open, revealing a
small safe. Ingenious, .very!'
The task was a difficult one, and fully
/ an hour had elapsed before the exertions OF
Miss Beverton were rewarded.
''At lastp' she exclaimed, wiping the
| perspiration from her brow. Then she
opened the door and drew from it large
case full Of jewels and diamonds. She
could not repress an exclamation of adj
miration and delight.
She blew out the light, went to the win
dow, opened it slightly at the bottom and
whistled softly. In a moment or two her
whistle was answered by another.
[ 'An right!' she whispered, and figure
mounted up ladder. He-for it vas a
Tnan-Qu1ckly reached the top and IN q
1Qoment or two was inside the room.
@'IEasy job?"
'NNo; beastly tough. Is the trap wait
ing in the road, Danvers?''
90 Tes There's not much time to lose.
But YOU might as well let me have a look
at the sinners before we go.''
She struck a light and lit the candle
again.
7 She Esa1 lifted the case and placed it in
his hand before she saw his face. It was
not Dan-ve1-s, but that idiot Chiversi''
'sThank you, Miss Beverton. Sorry to
have p1ed you, but you've done your
work well''
''Who-yyho, are your she stammered.
"Pardon me- but the question rather is.