Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1895-07-26

Y
he received q sudden and violent push
from behind, which flung him forward
gut on the doorway into the room, the
| uoof was instantly locked upon him,
ana ne was a prisoner.
Smythe luck!" said the poor man
az ne tried in vain to open the door,
ana knew by the rumpus he could hear
| outside that the house was In a state
OF excitement; II suppose they will
thInk l was trying to steal something
| Ihen frightened thought took pos
session OF him, which caused cold drops
| OF anguish to stand out on his gaunt
| cheeks. Did they suspect him? Had he
Deen observed? He opened the envelope
IN ms hand; 1t containd a five-dollar
hote. That was generous, and he was
sure his host had suspected nothing.
put the mere thought of the situation
IN which he was placed drove him to
the verge OF distraction.
AND to add to his terror, he heard
the alarmed household coming upstairs,
and the next moment the door Of his
room was opened, and his host, backed
by all the male guests, stood in the
open doorway.
What are you doing here?' was the
the truth now as you would hope for
mercy"
came here to get my hat and
coat" said the professor, the dignity of
ali the Smythes since Mount Ararat in
MS thin, rasping tones.
"a likely story Turn your pockets
inside out" commanded the host.
Il refuse to do it,
Then r will sand for tba yoloa =
was willing. to give you chance, but
II you refuse to be searched, you are
guilty."
L am not a thief
1 do not know. Your actions are very
suspicious. You can explain matters to
the chief of police. There must be
reasons why you refuse to be searched;
II you are honest, you can have moth
ing to conceal"
Watt" cried the unfortunate profess
sor, Il came here tonight at your ear
nest solicitation to do you a service,
and you trap me as If I were burg
lar,
GU are caught prowling in a dis
tant part of my house-you refuse to be
searched-an innocent man would be
glad to clear his name from suspicion
now do l know what valuables YOU
nave secreted about you?"
a hollow laugh rang through the
room. Was it possible the bold intrud-
ef dared to laugh at them. 1t was the
laugh OF despair, and as such it smote
upon the heart of the host, who looked
troubled and perplexed. His enforced
guest saw the look, and it suggested
line of action to him.
Send those men away" he said, |
pointing to the group OF alarmed guests |
crowding in at the door. He was glad
the women had remained below stairs, |
and not come to gaze unon his discon-
future. He did not know that they were
locked up in fear and trembling in a |
distant parlor.
We won't CO." chorused the group;
he may want to murder YOU"
don't think he WILL" said the host,
who was really soft-hearted. "I'll trust
him, and you fellows can go to the Ia
dies. I'll call if 1 need help"
They went, rather glad to be out of |
it, and the two men. left together, eyed |
each other, one waiting for the other
% speak. They We're exactly opposite in
one rosy and rubicund, the
other thin and anxious-a meager
travesty on a successful man.
Il refused to let you search me- said
he professor slowly, "because-oh, my
God, how can I acknowledge til am
.hiefr-
The other man started and moved
,oward the door. Then he waited.
Il have stolen from you-here let me
show you, and you will know why I
could have died easier than to have
hose people gloating over me. See here
-and-here and here
He took the valuables out of his
'ocket one by one. They made strange
xhibit as he piled them up on the table
II front of him. They We're roll of
Inner bread, plate, sweetbread
oiled in q leaf of lettuce, a chicken
'reast, bit of toasted bread. and a
aware sandwich. He brought them out
0 the last crumb, with a manner
f sacrifice.
Great heavens, man, what does this
lean?" asked the astonished host.
1T means, replied the other solemn
Y, that my sick wife and my little
hildren are starving, and that / pill
cred from my food at your table to
i've them, for my rent is overdue, and
he money / earned is already spent"
But what did you eat yourself?"
more than have eaten for MANY q
ay. But now do with me what you | ,
i'll"
Would you mind putting these things
ack into your pocket?" inquired his
ost vaguely. Now come with me-" S
e took him by the arm and led him /
own stairs and into the presence OF :
le shaking guests. II made bad
istake, my friends" he said, this
antleman has proved himself perfectly | =
nocent of any attempt at crime, and ! g
must beg you to remain silent as to v
lie events of this evening. He is I'M /
IT my protection from this time, and h
III will all agree with me that we are
,tremely sorry that such mistake
ould have occurred
OF course they all agreed with the
ntiments of their host. whatever they t
ere, and Prof. Smythe was allowed to a
Ike his leave amid profuse apologies @
PRETTY FAIR =