Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1895-10-22

eleven. Sit up with me, and we'll turn
in, if you want to, as soon as I've fin
ishcd this pipe"
consented. AS matter of fact, ho
had never been better company, and I
was just laughing heartily at a story
he was telling me when
"Good Heavens'' exclaimed, turn
ing pale, that can't be Lambsworthy
come back again tonight? Who
is itp"
"Better open the door aud scc," re-
piled Seymour, philosophically.
It 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 accursed portmanteau-by his
side.
MOT"
''Burglars" he gaspcd; "ycs! For
the Lords sake, give me some whisky,
old man, I'm feeling I'LL"
He followed me into the sitting
room and fell into chair.
ut is the same thing" he muttered,
"just the same thing! The house had
been broken into when got there, and
no clew-no clew. The man showed
me the room; everything sea tered and
upside down. Seymour, l shall go
mad!''
he seemed in measurable distance of
it-even Seymour was concerned. 1t
seemed like fatality! Wherever the
I poor fellow went there was a burglary;
his name would be on the tongues of
all Wicketsfield directly. There was
never anything known like it!
We gave him whisky, and moro
whisky, and, after that, whisky again.
| Whether he slept when we left him
ct last on the couch do not know, but
his face was Us white rs sheet in the
morning, and when Mr.. and Mrs. Car
donnel called, with their daughter,
they were aghast at his appearance.
ut is perfectly extraordinary" OK
claimed Norah, ''and as to the police,
who can allow such things" Words
failed her to express her contempt for
the stupidity of the police.
II tell you what" said Mr.. Carbon.
mel, II should go down to the station
myself if were you'll will go with
you. Confound it all, we will GO at
once. Something must be done, and
without delay!"
Noticed that in moment Seymour
was almost as pale as Lambsworthy;
was even prepared to hear him offer an
objection.
II should lot do that sir, tiff may
presume to advise" he said. 81 should
wait a day or two"
"And why, sir?" demanded Mr. Car
donnel, peremptorily; why should VIC
wait an hour?'
YES" echoed Norah, haughtily
"why should we wait five minutes, Mr.
SEYMOUR"
"We will go now!' cried Stephen; '1
thank you for the suggestion. We will
go at once, and will see the inspecto,
myself"
Sey mour sat playing nervously with
an ash-tray on the table. He seemed
to be trying to speak, and to have los
his voice. At last he said jerlsily, ant
with an attempt at laugh:
ITO tell you the truth, everybody
you are spelling practical joke O
mine. Lambsworthy was SO very con
cerned at the first burglary that
thought how funny it would be if the
same thing occurred in the next house
he tried. The landlord is my tobac
conist, and-well, there wasn't q. bur
glary last night at a y; it was justar
ranged between US for a 1arkt-er-
that's all. y
If live to be hundred shnll neye,
forget Miss Cardonnel's look of con
tempt as he finished speaking; and
don't think Seymour will forget i
either. Her papa's violent opinion O
practical jokes and jolsers paled int,
insigniiicance beside it, and Lambs
worthy's good-natured assurance t ha
sno harm was done" fell perfectly un
needed in the room.
Yes; Norah became Mrs Steple.
Lambsworthy, and refused to invit,
Seymour to the wedding. Whether
affairs would have ended like that il
the ordinary course, don't know; bu-
that is how they did end, and Seymour
at least, has always been convinced
that he has only himself to thank TO,
| it.-St. Paul's.