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

'hN Noiht bdNh anu lOiu us ne ndO
settled
But" he said, "do you know I'm
nervous! What Seymour said is true,
and it might happen that the same
kind of thing occurred thereh What
should 1 do If there were a robbery
there. too, tonight why, I should
be taken up; ! am certain should"
Sure thing!" said Seymour, explod-
ing afresh. Console yourself by 1e-
membering that condolences like that
don't happen!"
He was very amiable to Lambsworthy
that evening, pressing him to try bis
tobacco after supper, and shaking
hands with him warmly when they
said Good night" He, however, did
not want to so to bed after the others
departure; he said he should sit up and
smoke, and begged me to do likewise.
IT'S quite early" he said, mot II.
SIT up with me, and well turn in. if
you want to. as soon as I've finished
this pipe"
consented AS a matter of fact, he
had never been better company. and
was just laughing heartily at a story
he was telling me when
Good heavens!" exclaimed, turning
pale, that can't be Lambsworthy come
back again tonight? Who is IT,"
Better open the door and see," re-
piled Seymour philosophically
1t was being beaten wildly as bolt.
ed into the passage. Another instant
and my worst fears were verified.
Lambsworthy stood before me with
chattering teeth, the portmanteau-the
aocursed portmanteau-by his side.
Mot"
De- ~Ia.- r..
the Lords sake, give me some whiskey,
old man, I'm feeling III"
He followed me into the sitting room
and fell into a chair.
1T Is the same thing" he muttered,
'just the same thing. The house had
been broken into when got there, end
no clue--no clue. The man showed me
the room; everything scattered and up
side down. Seymour I shall go mad"
He seemed in measurable distance Of
it--even Seymour was concerned. 1t
certainly seemed like fatality. Where
ever the poor fellow went there was a
burglary; his name would be one the
tongues of all WiclSetsfield directly.
There was never anything known like
it,
We gave him whiskey and more
whiskey, and after that whiskey again.
Whether he slept when we left him at
last on the couch / do not know, but
his face was as white as a sheet in
the morning and when Mr.. and Mrs.
Cardonnel called with their daughter
they were aghast at his appearance.
1T Is perfectly extraordinary" ex-
claimed Norah, "and as to the police,
who can allow such things
Words failed her to express her con-
tempt for the stupidity of the police.
II tell you what" said Mr.. Cardonnel,
II should go to the station myself If I
were you. Confound it all, we will go
at once. Something must be done. and
without delay"
1 noticed that In a moment Seymour
was almost as pale as Lambsworthy. I
was even prepared to hear him offer an
objection.
II should not do that, sir--if I may
presume to advise" he said. II should
walt a day or two"
And why, sir?" demanded Mr.. Car
donnei, peremptorily; why should we
walt an hour?"
Yes" echoed Norah, haughtily;
why should we wait Ave minutes. MI.
SEYMOUR"
I'VE will go now" cried Stephen; II
tHdHh you lot tne SuBSeStlOH we
will go at once. and I will see the in
spector myself"
Seymour sat playing nervously with
an ash tray on the table. He seemed
to be trying to speak. and to have lost
his voice. At last he said jerkily, and
with an attempt to laugh.
ITO tell the truth, everybody, you are
spelling practical joke of mine,
Lambsworthy was so very concerned
how extremely funny 1t would be II
the same thing occurred In the next
house he tried. The landlord is my to-
bacconist, and-well there wasn't bur-
glary last night at all; 1t was just ar
ranged between us for lark!-that's
ALL"
II 1 live to be a hundred l shall
never forget Miss Cardonnel's look of
contempt as he finished speaking; and
don't think Seymour will forget 1t
either Her papa's violent opinion Of
practical jokes and jokers paled into
insignificance beside 1t, and Lambs
worthy's good-natured assurance that |
mo harm was done" fell perfectly un-
needed In the room.
Yes; Norah became Mrs. Stephen |
Lambsworthy, and refused to Invite |
Seymour to the wedding. Whether af |
fairs would have ended like that In the |
ordinary course. I don't know; but that |
Is how they did end, and Seymour. at |
least, has always been convinced that |
he has only himself to thank for 1t.