The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-01-04

fund OF information, relating to bank
affairs. The First Nationals participation
in the Shovel Brothers. payment was of
course well known to its Boston correspon-
dent, and might easily have leaked out
when Reichsmarks Guilders & Co., dis
patched their well-guarded messenger
Powerless against him, the rascal had
turned his attention to me!
Just then we reached the terminus
where l must spend the night before start
ing on forty drive to the construc-
tion camp. AS l left the car, the young man
fingered in his seat fegning to be occupied
with shawl-strap he carried, so that
might 60 first. Looking back, l saw him
spring quickly up to follow.
During the dark walk to the hotel he
kept close behind me, until began to
grow uneasy. / gripped the precious valise
with one hand, and kept the other ready
for action in case an attempt was made to
snatch away my burden. But other pas
sengers were before and behind, and the
chance seemed too desperate for him. He
finally passed me and went on.
| | found the little hotel, which would
have been the worst in the place had it not
been the only one, enjoying an unwonted
rush of business caused by some kind of
gathering then in session. My company
did not appear ardently desired, and adj
vance payment alone secured a shelter
Even then | was told must be doubled
up" with another guest.
This sleeping in the same bed with a
total stranger by no means suited me, but
it could not be helped. After supper |
was shown to 1885," or rather directed
there by boy who saw in me so little
prospect of a fee that he neither took the
journey nor apologized for ordering me,
Go up two flights and turn to the left. "
l entered the room. Before the bureau,
half undressed, stood my late fellow
traveller! gave an involuntary start
"Hello! the fellow exclaimed. "What
do you want in this room?"
dts SO, isn't it," asked I, bound to
stand my ground. "Well, Pm going to
sleep here. Didn't they say you'd be
doubled up?''
"Yes," he rejoined, angrily, but l
didn't know He stopped abruptly and
turned his back.
| Didn't know it would be with you,
he meant to say" thought; "when it
was precisely what he did know and
wantedn'
| rapidly reviewed the situation. If l
refused to stay he would at once be convin-
ed Of my identty-a point on which, had
inferred from his constant staring he was
not yet perfectly sure. Besides, should l
abandon the sole obtainable bed should
have to spend the night on the veranda or
in the haymow-a much more dangerous
arrangement than to remain where could
keep an eye on him.
Nevertheless two things l was firm upon
I would not go to bed before he did, and
l would not 60 to sleep at all.
sat down in one of the two chairs near
the bed with the valise on my knees. My
robber as 1 called him, after tidgeting
around the room for a few minutes, sat
down in the second chair on the other side
of the bed.
Having noticed that he had no visible
baggage except the shawl-strap, fancied
might deceive his expectations by treat
ing my valise as an ordinary one. Opening
it carelessly took out whatever happened
to come to hand, whistling unconcernedly
the while. But the scheme had exactly
the contrary effect to what / intended.
The young man observed my every motion
his whole body stiffened with strained
attention. Then saw what a silly blunder
l was making.
The idea of valise like that containing
a Leaf hair-brush toothbrush and mani
cure set! The toothbrush in itself was
enough to betray me, but the manicure set
was utter condemnation. l crowded the
things back into the valise, and set it down
again.
My roommate had not lost any move
ment of mine-I could see that in his eyes
and those eyes followed the valise to the
| floor, and its key to my pocket | now
looked over and found him perilously
muscular. 81 wish had revolver" |
fretted. "No, don't-he might take it
away from me and shoot me with it %
Come" said the robber, ''aren't you
going to bed 2"
Oh, he was beginning, was he?
mot yet" returned l. care you 2"
sob, l never go to bed early" said he,
casting another glance at my valise.
"You don't, don't you?" l reflected, in
what might be called sarcastic tone of
thought. l continued aloud, "Aren't you
sleepy?'
mot bit" Then, between two tire.
mendous yawns, he added, 'I'm victim
of insomnia ~
Victim of insomnia, indeed !" / in
ternally commented HRut Won want IN