The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-12-06
LAMBSNORTHY'S BURGLAR

It did not end happily-not for Harry
Seymour, that is to say; but IL provided
some excellent entertainment while 1t
lasted and is talked about in Wickets-
field to-day. We We're all of us staying
in Wicketsfield. and Seymour had fallen
q victim to the fascinations of Miss
Norah Cardonnel. possibly because
Wicketsfield is a dull little watering
place and there was nothing else to do;
possibly because he knew, or at least
suspected, that she was worshipped by
Stephen Lambsworthy, and stephen
Lambsworthy was his especial bette
noire.
l don't want to attribute unworthy
motives to him. AS matter of fact.
liked him very much: so let us give
him the benefit of the doubt and say
he had grown to adore Miss Cardonnel
because Miss Cardonnel was adorable.
Anyhow, 1t was plain that he was hope
,essly in love, and though l had been
honored by Lambsworthy's condolences
In the matter 1 personally did not give
up much for his chances.
No two fellows could possibly have
been more unlike than Stephen and
Harry Seymour. Harry, dashing, good
humored, high spirited and handsome;
Stephen, meek, nervous and with next
to nothing to say for himself. That
both were very young was their only
point of resemblance I thought had
guaged Miss Cardonnel's character suf-
ficiently to prophesy which of her ad-
mirers would be accepted, presuming
they both proposed, and 1 confess l
was startled when Seymour displayed
such strong irritation at the news that
Lambsworthy was expected on the
scene.
"Confound him!" he said, what does
ne want here? Can't he read in town
Just as well?" eve were supposed to
be cramming for an exam. the three OF
us) What does he want to come both
ering here for?"
well, you forget" I said. Lambs
worthy may be said to be the dlscoverer
of Wicketsfeld. At all events, neither
you nor l would ever have come down
here If 1t had not been that he was al
ways talking about 1t. We should
never even have known the Cardonnels
but for him-remember that"
Seymour growled. II was q fact that
Lambsworthy had introduced us to
them, and Harry never cared to be re-
minded of 1t.
II don't want him." he said. IT don't
get on with him; he is your friend. not
mine. and he bores me. He Is like a
young lady and he wears spectacles."
"He wears spectacles because he is
short sighted" I observed; land as to
being like a young lady, that is all rot,
Seymour! Anyhow, II he is such q COM
plete duffer. why need you mind his
coming?
What do you mean?" asked Harry.
sharply.
you are annoyed at his arrival be-
cause you are afraid you may find your
nose out Of joint when he appears. I
say II he Is such a duffer why need you
be alarmed?'
"Oh! pooh, pooh, rubbish" said sey-
mour. II afraid Of Stephen Lambs
worthy? That is too rich!-that Is
really funny!" He made loud noise.
which 1 understood was meant to rep
resent laughter. You won't beat that
II you talk for a month. Ha, ha, ha!
Why, you don't mean to tell me you
suppose for single instant that a girl
like Miss Cardonnel would seriously
consider throwing herself away on
noodle like Lambsworthy? q fiabby,
inveterate. feeble, faltering bundle OF
nerves like Lambsworthy! Good heav-
ems! Afraid! Afraid Of Lambsworthy!
Ha. ha, hal"
well, that's all right" said. IT
am glad, for your sake. you are 80 con-
hdent. / assume, however, that you
won't deny she encouraged him when
Il
saw her with you. and I saw her with
him, and 1 say she did!"
"She firted with him." said Seymour.
tolerantly; "she firted with him little.
yes! Why not? A girl must amuse
herself. l do not complain of that"
That's lucky" replied; "singularly
fortunate-for your own piece OF mind.
His letter says he will be with us to-
morrow. He wants me TO look out for
a room for him."
Cannot our landlady accommodate
the gentleman"
NO" I said, she can't now with a.
bedroom, that Isl He will come in here
to meals, Of course, but he will have to
sleep out of the house."
Seymour shrugged his shoulders, as
much as to say that he was really indif-
ferent as to the arrangements, and
lounged away in the direction of the
Parade, where. I have no doubt, he ex-
pected to meet the Cardonnels, as was
his daily custom.
am ashamed to say that neglected
TO engage a shake-down for Lambs
worthy that afternoon. and as he ar
rived by an earlier train than the one
he had mentioned on the morrow IT
devolvsd upon him to so around and
explore for himself after he got in.
However, he was quite cheerful when
he returned to the cottage to supper;