The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-06-18
JUST IN TIME.

Two pickpockets, Mr.. Callaghan and
Rabbit, on the war path.
Suddenly Mr. Callaghan stopped, with
half smothered exclamation, and leaning
toward Rabbit, whispered in his ear:
"Great gunsl Look at that girl, Rabbit
Isn't she an angela queen-a princess
-a-Rabbit, if it were not for my undying
love for Molly would adore that girl
Rabbit, am going to have her handker-
chief or something from her if have to do
time for it,
(Which grip" asked the Rabbit.
''The one escorted by that handsome fell
low who looks so pale-looks trihe like
me. Ten to one she has just rejected him.
All, Molly, If it were not for you, might
be rejected by that fair being myself. Rab-
bit, as she comes down to the carriage you
take the left side. I'll get behind and on
the right, which will be the more difficult,
as the pale fellow will be on the right.
Mr.. Callaghan edged his way up and
slipped his delicate left hand cautiously
between the girl and her escort.
a singular thing occurred just then. He
was close behind her. He noticed that she
blushed very violently all at once, and
looked at the ground just as his own Mol
ly did the first time he kissed her.
Then Mr.. Callaghan was conscious that
gloved right hand, bending her wrist just
little. Mr.. Callaghan looked and saw
something glitter
He reached for the glittering object, in
tending to snatch it from her, when, TO
his intense astonishment, just as his hand
touched hers she placed the object care
fully in his palm.
He looked at her just for an instant.
She was still looking down and away from
the pale fellow, and blushing even more
violently. =
Mr.. Callaghan did not stop to ask any
questions. He got out of the crowd as fast
as he could well aware that he held in his
hand solitaire ring
He and the Rabbit met but few streets
away. Mr.. Callaghan was flushed with
success, but pensive The Rabbit was hi
larious with success and not at all PEN
sive.
"Cally," said the Rabbit, "we're rich
for a month";
''What did you get from that girl9''
asked Mr.. Callaghan in a rather preoccu-
pied manner.
CAV, nothing from her that was worth
anything-nothing but little note. What
did you get?"
"This, - said Mr.. Callaghan, holding up
| to the light a solitaire ring.
''Great gunsl'' said the astonished Rab-
bit
''Let me see that letter." Callaghan
said abruptly. The Rabbit handed it to
| him. 1t was a note written in a mans
strong handwriting, and read as follows:
NELL hand you this in your box because
| cannot wait any longer Two years ago to-
night asked you to marry me. Your parents
have never consented in all that time, and they
| never win. Do you love enough to marry
| without their consent? If you do hand me your
solitaire ring. will come round at the close
| and take you to your carriage You can give
| it to me then. If you do not love enough to
| do this shall know what you mean and will
| start for the continent tomorrow, never to
| come back. JACK.
Mr. Callaghan was silent.
"Well,'' said the Rabbit, "we've made
a pretty good haul tonight, haven't weS''
Eyes, and we've broken mans heart"
said Mr.. Gala CHAN.
whats that?" asked the Rabbit, I'M
concerned.
''That girl was giving this ring to the
fellow with the pale face. It was telling
him she was willing to marry him wheth-
er the old folks were willing or not, just
as Molly is going to marry me. Now, he's
going off with a broken heart, just the
way I'd have done If Molly hadn't con-
| sented"
Very early the next morning Mr.. Gala
CHAN stood at the door of certain jeWelry
establishment that is known all over the
world. He was just beginning to get
sleepy, for it was about his usual bedtime.
Callaghan's proverbial good luck, to say
nothing of his good judgment, did not de-
sert him. He had picked out the right es-
tablishment, and ten minutes after it had
opened its doors Mr.. Callaghan was racing
up Bond street in a cab. The driver stopped
at fashionable boarding house, and Mr..
Callaghan, jumping out, ran up the stairs
to the third floor.
Out of breath, and with a lump in his
throat from the fear of being too late after
all, he pounded on the door in no gentle
manner. A voice told him to "come in. ,"
He did so.
'Well, what do you want?' asked the
pale faced man.
can invitation to your wedding said
Mr.. Callaghan.
The pale faced fellow looked up from
the trunk he was packing and mildly in
Quired if Mr.. Callaghan was crazy. Gala
CHAN held the ring aloft, as he had seen
tho actors do with similar things in the
theaters, and said, behold your ringl"
'How did you get that ring?' asked the
other, his pale face becoming suddenly
flushed.
''Stole it," said Mr.. CaIlaghan prompt
ly; "stole It as she was trying to hand it
to you. The fact is she thought my hand
was yours. I have rather fine looking
hand myself, I've been told.''
"What9'' asked the other in astonish-
ment
''It's fact" said Mr. Ca1laghan. 81
stole it just as said I did. Wanted some
thing to remember her by, she looked 50
pretty. Don't blame you for loving her,
not bit. I'm in love myself, and fancy
pretty girls great deal.
Luckily for you my side partner nabbed
.. your note out of her pocket at the same
time. Wouldn't spoil your happiness for
anything in the world hunted round
and found out who you were and where
you lived. Here am, Mr.. Callaghan, at
a your service, and here's your ring"
"Mr. Callaghan," he said, 'you are an
angel"
'FThey don't Sex N to think so down al
q Bow street. - replied Mr.. Callaghan mod.