Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1895-06-16
JUST IN TINE.

At the main entrance of one of the
chief London theatres stood two menu
hers of what is known as the light in-
gered fraternity" that is to say, that
they-Mr Callaghan, known among
his friends as Cally, and Rabbit, whose
real name was not known even to him~
self-were pickpockets.
4 think" whispered Cally, that
we'd better remain as near together as
possible. If the police get one Of US
we can start up a row and get away"
Here and there among the dispensing
crowd they found no difficulty in ply
ing their trade.
Suddenly Mr.. Callaghan stopped with
a half smothered exclamation, and,
leaning toward Rabbit, whispered in
lis ear:-"Great guns! 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, I'm
going TO have her handkerchief or
something from her if ! have to do
time for it,"
(Which girl?" asked the Rabbit
"The one that is escorted by that hand
some fellow who looks so pale-looks a
trife like me. Ten to one she has jus.
rejected him. All, Molly, if it were noC
for you / might be rejected by that fair
being myself Rabbit, as she comes
down to the carriage you take the left
side. I'll get behind and on the right
which will be more difficult, the the
pale fellow will be on the right
Mr.. Callagher's undertaking was
both difficult and dangerous, but he
had the courage born Of a long list Of
successes. He edged his way up and
slipped his delicate left hand cautious
" between the girl and her escort.
A singular thing occurred just then.
He was close beside her He noticed
that she bushed very violently all at
once and looked at the ground. just as
his own Molly did the first time he
kissed her.
Then Mr.. Callaghan was conscious
that she held something out timidly in
her glOved hand. bending her wrist
just a little. Mr.. Callaghan looked and
saw something glitter.
He reached for the glittering object,
intending to snatch it from her. when
to his intense establishment, just as
his hand touched hers she placed the
object carefully in his palm
He looked at her just for an instant
She was still looking down and away
from the pale fellow, and blushine
even more violently.
MIR. 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 a solitaire ring,
He and the Rabbit met but a few
streets away. Mr.. Callaghan was
flushed with success, but pensive. The
Rabbit was hilarious with success, and
not at all pensive.
"Cally," said the Rabbit, we're rich
for a month.
What did you get from that grip"
asked Mr. Callaghan in a rather pre-
occupied manner.
"Aw. nothing from her that was
worth anything -nOthing but little
note. What did you get?'
This" said Mr.. Callaghan, holding
up to the light the solitaire ring.
Great guns, said the astonished
Rabbit.
let me see that letter" Callaghan
said abruptly. The Rabbit handed II
to him. 1t was a note, written in a
mans strong hand and read as fol-
lows
Nell hand you this in your box
because / cannot wait any longer. Ten
years ago tonight / asked you to
marry me. Your parents have never
consented in all that time, and they
never will. Do You love me 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 me
enough to do this l shall know what you
mean and l shall start for the Cont
nent tomorrow, never to come back.
JACK"
Mr. Callaghan was silent
well" said the Rabbit we've made