Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1896-11-21
A SINGULAR GUEST.

chuckled softly as he bent the last yard
of wire.
"a trip in time" said Mr.. Apps, saves
nine"
He threw the rope ladder gently in
the air, and Mt the first effort caught the
projecting nail
"Once on board the lugger," quoted
Mr.. Apps, facetiously, as he mounted
the rope ladder, "and the gEl is mine."
He opened the window very gently
and soon stood inside the dressing
room Near the table in the corner of
the room was an iron safe.
"Well, I'm iiggered!" exclaimed Mr..
Apps. He loosened the flaps of his fur
cap and mopped his brow with the back
of his hand. "Well, I'm jiggered! If
they 'aven't been and left the key in for
me. might have sived myself lot of
trouble if I'd knowed."
Mr.. Apps swung open the heavy door
of the safe and listened to the music
downstairs. Young Lady Staplehurst
was giving(as Mr.. Apps very we'll knew
a dance, fancy dress dance, on her re-
turn from the continent, after her term
of widowhood.
"Tn Jest see, first of ALL" he said,
''that the coast is clear, and then
then for a bagful."
Mr.. Henry Apps stepped out into the
broad passage. He slouched, with his
Jenny sticking out of his capacious
side pocket, q few steps toward the
stairs. Suddenly girlish figure turned
the corner.
''Bless my 'art!" cried Mr.. Apps.
"Why, how do you do?" said the
young lady, stepping forward. She
gave soft laugh that was very pleas
ant "This is really delightful. Do you
know, 1 recognized you at once, in spite
of the costume"
She held the hand of Mr.. Apps for
moment, causing that gentleman to
gasp for breath, and called one of the
maids.
"Just bring me pencil and a card"
she said.
81 must arrange for carriage to take
Capt. Norman back to his hotel in the
morning. wasn't sure that he would
come"
Noll NuiNs iSllhli iNSN AhAA' ~hPPS,
with restored seif-possession.
81 won't hear OF it. When shall we
say, now?"
Say in an hours time" said Mr..
Apps. 81 can go upstairs again alone,
change my togs and do all want to-"
"And can't you stay longer?"
She gave the card to the maid and
ordered it to be dispatched at once.
'I've got busy night before me-"
urged Mr.. Apps, excusingly. He
thought of his dog waiting on the lawn
and feared it might give an inoppor
tune bark. Besides, the safe was still
open and the diamonds were waiting
for him. He had noticed with satisfac
ton Lady Staplehurst was wearing
none.
You were always an active man, cap
tain"
Always ADDING something" agreed
6fr. Apps. IF it isn't one thing it's an
other" He shook his head retiectively.
81 of'en wonder 1 don't write book
about it ALL
"I don't believe you will know any
body here, Capt. Norman" she said, as
they walked downstairs; but l couldn':.
friendly we were on the Peshawur. Do
you remember those evenings on deck
in the Red sea?"
She was really a very fine young wom-
an, and in her costume she looked eX-
tremely well.
"Do not?" said Mr.. Apps, with much
fervor. "Shall ever forget 'em?"
And then the journey from Brindisi,
you know; and that funny little Ger
man--you remember him?"
''He was n Knockout, that German
was"
And the girl who played the banjo,
and"
at was great" agreed Mr. Apps;
'great."
The large ballroom was very full.
A small covey of brightly dressed young
people flew toward the oung,hostess to
complain of her temporary absence
from the room and broad-shouldered
gondolier shook hands with her and
took up her card with some thing of an
air of proprietorship.
"Ithougllt had left the key in the
excuse me-" The young hostess took
back her card from the gondolier 81
am engaged to Capt, Norman. You
don't know him? Allow me-"
PLEASED to meet you," said Mr.. Hen
ry Apps. "Ow's the world using you?"
That's an original costume of yours,
Capt. Norman" remarked the gon-
dolier. 81 don't lonow that I've ever seen
anything so daringly real beforn."
"Well, wot of it?" demanded Mr..
Apps, with sudden aggressiveness;
''wot's the odds to you wot l like to
wear? You needn't think you're"
Capt. Norman" interposed the young
hostess, laughingly, you mustn't over
do the part, Look here, I've put you
down for this waltz, but if you like we'll
sit it out-that is, if you promise to
keep up that diverting East End talk.
like il. Do You think Won can mana ora