The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-07


and said it was a pretty idea, but had a
preSentiment Slater would go bit wrong.
thought that it would suit his slapdash S.
and Kind of put in his hand what TO write :
Very smart"
YES; but had to cut my finger to stop
him at the right moment, or L swear he'd
have started Scribing."
The colonel gazed reflectvely at his fore
finger, bound round with court plaster, and
his companions grinned with delight at his
story.
Now. then. boys, you know everything. l
have permission to introduce my two
friends at GastOn's tonight, so we will just
look in at your hotel ana make ourselves
respectable. You'd better bring one or two
DTS OF wax, one never knows but what
those little things may not be useful. ana
don't forget the key of the strong room is
the largest, and the safes the two smallest,
on the bunch"
The three men strolled through the town
to the hotel and then towards the bank.
FOR moment. as they crossed the
threshold, the coloneFs face clouded over
gravely, and he whispered: Fail tonight,
and all Is over" but the shadow instantly
passes as he enthusiastically shook the
managers hand and presented his friends
AS they entered the drawing room, Colonel
walton, In the first glance round, observed
upon the little inlaid cabinet in the corner
An hour was passed in conventional En-
gllsh conversation, and then CASTOR Slater,
with an apology to his new guests, sug-
gested to the colonel that they might have
Just one game If his friends would excuse
ana entertain the ladies'.
Colonel Walton protested that his COM
panions We're quite aware of his fondness
for the game. and would be unwilling TO
deny them the pleasure while those gen
tlemen added their words to his ana, TO
prove their veracity, Immediately COM
menced a lively chat with the managers
The colonel suggested that the mellow
ness of the summer evening should not be
spollt by the Introduction of artificial light,
and carrying the table to the open French
window. seated himself facing the room
with his back toward the light.
Notwithstanding the game, Colonel Wal
ton did not seem inclined to allow his
friends to monopolize the ladies' society.
ana frequently interjected a remark when
the conversation allowed him to do so with
out an appearance of rudeness. CASTOR
Slater felt his opponent was terror. In
the middle of compliment to his hostess
ne would turn quietly. make the desired
move ana then resume the conversation
almost without pause, while CASTOR
strove with all his might to break up that
combination which was slowly and surely
uTlVlng MIN into a corner. where mate Law
In wait for the white king. The colonel
chatted OF all parts of the world as one
who had Travelled greatly. seemed to know
the whole of America by heart and was
as we'll acquainted with Australia as with
India In fact. did but the ladies know it,
colonel Waltons travels might have been
traced through the continents of the world
by a series of audacious robberies which
had marked the past dozen years and that
gentlemans progress in his journeyings.
At length he returned to England Ad-
| mired the scenery of Derbyshire, Devon
| shire and Wales. his companions checking
on IN their minds the particular affair of
| each locality. Then there's Bourne
mouth" he continued; pretty little place
| put too new" and the two men grew Wis
IDLY perplexed in trying to remember il
| anything ever did happen at Bournemouth
Your move, CASTOR. Don't let me hurry
you. though; take your time, my boy"
Strange TO say, the locality where nothing
| had happened seemed to please the colonel
more than any other. He dilated upon the
gardens. the walks and drives. and more
than anything, upon the odor of the pines
How sweet and refreshing; give him ma
| lures own perfumes far before the distilled
| compounds of the druggists" And then
his hostess. with bewitchng air of sur
| prise, declared he had reminded her. and
she must show that delicious casket to his
| friends. The colonel deprecated, but she
| insisted, and CASTOR Slater thrilled as he
| saw his opponent make terrible slip in
that last move, and leave his queen fol
the moment unprotected and in danger
| Mrs Slater walked across the room, and
| the visitors followed. Then there was a
great amount of rustling of skirts, a hand
| kerchief was violently shaken, while a
| lady's voice pettishly exclaimed:
How provoking. / cannot have lost it
put distinctly remember .putting-why, OF
| course. CASTOR, you have it on your ring
The hand of Gaston's adversary trembled
| slightly as he made his next move and the
| bank manager absorbed in the game. took
no heed of his wife's remark. and SHARPLY
| followed. The last words We're repeated
accompanied this time by a tap upon the
4
weak move as the thought flashed through
| his head, Would CASTOR leave the game tc
open the casket for her, or give her the
| keys?
Yes, your key is on nv ring
| That is what [ a, ING to impress
upon you. want to snow the casket to
the .eo eoloners friends
Your move CASTOR"
| "Hum-yeS."
With his whole mind absorbed upon the
board, CASTOR drew the keys from his
| trousers pocket. unlocked them from his
chain and handed them to his wife. while
| the colonel softly whistled through his
teeth the opening chorus of '@The Condo
| liers.'
Castor took the colonels queen with q
chuekle. end his sister earned the eternal
| gratitude of the latter individual by walk.
ing to the piano and softly taking up his
| chorus Murmurs of admiration floatef
| across from the other side OF the room
| and the chink of Il bunch of keys as they
were laid upon the cabinet. Then they rat
| tied slightly again; there was a pause: one
OF his friends was talking fiuently about the
| city of Cologne. and a feminine voice
| thanked some one who handed the keys
| TO her again.
| The casket was locked Mrs Slater re.
turned the keys TO her husband, who re-
placed them on his chain. and, with ar
| exclamation of triumph, mated.
Now. do not forget colonel" the man
ager cried. as n, he speeded the parting
| For myself. you may rely upon me, but
L leave my friends in London
Are you sure your friends could not re-
| turn with your
I'm afraid not. my dear fellow; but il
| they can look in later
| ''rhey will be welcome"
| Then that is settled. This day week
| take my revenge. Ha. ha. what a melo-
| dramatic sentence Good night. dear boy
| good night
| The colonel turned sharply upon his com.
| panions they left the bank.
| ''WelI?"
! ''All right, colonel. we've impressions OF
| half a dozen keys between u.s. Your lady
| friend is blind as a bat"
she's deuced fine woman" the colone
| replied. firmly. IT'S the man who's the
| fool.
| ".