Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1895-10-13

Desmond, writer Of some repute, upon
the steps.
oh. said vanbrugh, after greeting
him, what about that man Simmonds
you sent 10 Mailing
"Simmonds, my dear boy? Capital
fellow, very clever, died year and
hall ago"
"Eh?'
ooh. I see" said Desmond falling
into a roar of laughter. I've heard
something Of this kind before. There S
a man going round begging under that
name, isn't there? And you've been
hit? How much did he get out OF YOU
Motley gave him So
Il didn't lose so badly as that, said
Vanbrugh, trying TO laugh, too, but he
had me. [ must confess. Then he didn't
come from Malling?'
BLESS your innocence. no. He's
swindler, my boy. downright swim
der"
And a very clever one. I wish I
could get hold Of him again. said Van
brugh. grudgingly. ~ clear case Of
the worst kind Of theft
He had his wish rather sooner than
anticipated.
A few weeks later in the season he
was taking a short cut TO the Strand
through some Of the narrower and less
fre0uented streets near Drury Lane,
when his attention was caught by tlg-
ure on the pavement which seemed
vaguely familiar. Where had he seen
/ before that shabby. jaunty figure, with
the soft felt hat, the indescribable air
I anpEEF
Vaubrugh had an eve for likenesses; in
another minute he had the man by the
arm. 1t was the swindler, indeed-the
so-called Charles Simmonds himself
But the man was more agile than
Vanbrugh thought He turned
white. terror-stricken glance at his cap
tor. then wrenched himself free and
dived down q narrow lane On his right
I hand. Needless of consequences, Van
brugh plunged IN pursuit through the
crowd. but the man was evidently well
acquainted with the maZes Of the streets
and was speedily lost to view. Van
brugh. perceiviug his pursuit to be
useless. stopped short, and found him
/ self in a narrow alley, which his in
S.inct told him was dangerous" The
sinister folk who lounged about it be-
/ longed Enthusiastically 10 the criminal
I classes. As he had no mind 70 be de-
/ spoiled Of his watch or his purse, he
F shrugged his shoulders and prepared TO
depart: but at that moment his eye was
caught by q face which peered al him
from an upper window and retreated-
the very face, with rs long, black mus
tache. Of the man Of whom he was in
/ search. Vanbrugh, as Will be evident
TO every reader Of these pages, was not
a prudent man. In at the open door
Of the house, and up the common stair
he dashed, quite Needless of the prOba-
bility that he was dashing headlong
into a den OF thieves. He had as quick
an eye for locality as for Ekenesses, ana
knew at once The exact position of the
room at the window of which he had
seen the pseudo Simmons. He went
/ straight to the door. threw It open, and
walked in.
He looked round and stood aghast.
No man was in the room at all. It was
+ tenanted only by black girl in black.
who sat o. q table on which stood
sewing machine
As soon as Vanbrugh looked at her
and met her eyes he felt vaguely start
led and taken aback. Why. this girl
in spite Of her s3bby clc.hes. her sew
ing machine. her poor surroundings
this girl was lady. Her pale face
was exQuisitely 4 refined. He hair
Shone like spun gold above her CON-
! mon gown He eyes were 50 proud.