Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-06-29
MY THIEF.

brain, so much did its tones resemble
those of one long dead and gone; yet,
when / turned round, the face OF
total stranger confronted me. He was
a very young fellow, barely eighteen,
[ Judged, not good looking, but with a
genial. frank expression that was quite
prepossessing.
''How did you guess my name?" an.
swered, rather irrelevantly.
ooh I've been near where you and
your pupils have been picnicking this
afternoon, but I didn't like to ask be-
fore those youngsters. I'm glad they've
outwalked you"
had been botanizing with several of
my scholars on what our people call
F'Bay roa6"-a fine, dunsely-shaded
promenade which winds lovingly
around the beautiful Bay of Mauvila.
We had taken some refreshments with
us.
When he said this I looked at him
rather sharply, for it flashed across me
that he belonged to the genus tramp"
and the twilight was rapidly approach
ing. But, somehow, found it hard to
distrust his honest-looking face, which
now wore very doleful expression for
one so boyish.
He interrupted this train Of thought
by repeating his request.
Il intended what was left for poor
widow" said /, moving little away
from him, for this sounded very tramp
like.
Yes, I heard you talking to your
sells about it just before spoke"
Talking to myself, indeed! l have
loud -
l answered, with dignity, I hope.
Really, this boy was too presumptuous
Good evening"" said, as l turned
TO leave him.
'Now, don't be offended, Miss En-
ma. That was what l meant I'm al
awfully unluclzy man lately. really
am hungry and in lots of trouble be-
side, but I'm not a beggar, as you
think" He pulled out some money.
''Take whatever you like for the
food, but please let me have it.
l felt ashamed of my suspicious when
he did this, and babe him take it all
and welcome. How he did eat! All the
time, however, we proceeded toward
the town, he keeping as much in the
shadow of the trees as possible. We
were on the footpath that bordered the
drive, and not very visible from the
numerous equipages that were pass
ing.
What is your trouble?" / asked.
Its mostly my own foolishness and,
until l saw you just now, felt desper-
ate, but you had such friendly look
that made up my mind to tell you the
whole story, especially as something
you were talking about let me know
chat you could help me If you would.
I'm an undergraduate of Columbus col
lege and l spend my vacations in the
neigh boring country, as my father
travels around great deal on bust
mess, and I've NO mother. During va
cation do as please and can go any
where, provided l do not leave the
state without permission from the
president. Expulsion is the penalty
for that offense. This year l came a
long way from the college and stayed
not far from the Esmeralda river,
which is the boundary line between
that state and this. I was fishing here
yesterday afternoon, when I suddenly
took a notion to cross on the ferry
boat.
mo sooner thought than done.
They'll never be the wiser, said to
myself. So 1 thought I'd go little
further and have look at the town.
There was famous circus performing
that night, and / made up my mind to
stay all night and go, for 1 had plenty
of money with me. Fathers always so
liberal about that. 1 had a jolly good
time and nice supper at the hotel.
The waiter was very friendly and in
telligent, and l confded to him my
little escapade, as well as the fact that
/ had registered under an assumed
name. lie said boys would be boys
and he'd wake me up early SO that
could recross the river as soon as
liked. / noticed two men as / walked
out before breakfast standing in front
OF the hotel They nudged each other
as passed, and one followed me at
distance, while the other reentered the
house.
when / returned and entered the
7breakfast-room, my friend the waiter
gave me peculiar look, and motioned
TO me to follow him into the pantry.
Very much mystifed I obeyed, and he
then led me into small room adjoin-
ing and locked the door.
Mr.. Digby,' he said, those men
have warrant for your arrest for
horse stealing. They say they've
tracked on this far and have photo
graph that's your mortal image, sir,
I'm bound to confess
"a horse thiefr I laughed. OF
course you said l was a student-no!
,confound it! Cbeg pardon, Miss Emma)
you couldn't do that after your promise
to me-
What was / to do2 I didn't know a
soul in the town who could clear me,
nor could help myself without tele-
graphing to the college. for had been
in the village across the river only a
few days, and my landlady had only
my word for it that was student.
YES said the waiter, noticing how
aglum looked, it's rather serious for
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