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

and half dozen times wondered if it had
stopped.
Quarter past chimed.
Now. if all were well they were in the
strong room.
Check. colonel
'Ah, yes; beg your pardon. I'm playing
a philosopher. decided that ii was useless
worrying himself, and settled down to the
game i'm real earnest. and, presto, before he
knew Ii the hands OF the clock pointed TO
9:15 An hour gone 1t impossible. he
thought. that the whole affair could really
go through so smoothly SO quietly, and. as
if in answer TO his thoughts, his hostess
rose.
You will excuse my leaving you. Colonel
Walton" she said: our maid has been
called suddenly to her mothers by tele-
gram, and am sure you are dying for
some coffee
The colonel smiled consciously when the
telegram was mentioned. and protested at
the trouble he was occasioning, but as the
ladies still moved towards the door be in
stinctively sprang up to open IL for them.
He turned the handle and pulled the door
sharply forward. but as it came it met his
outstretched foot. then suddenly rebounded
and fastened with a snap, leaving the china
handle in his grasp.
Nine thirty.
He looked towards them with a conical
air of despair, and then attempted to fit
the handle again, but clumSily that
the shaft was thrust right through and
fell upon the mat without. while he stood
the picture of gentlemany embarraSS-
ment-with the handle in his hand.
You've done it now. colonel" cried Sla-
ter, looking up from his study of the game.
Thirty feet from the ground. we're prison
ers until some one releases US from the
outside
What is to be done?
Finish the game, at any rate" suggested
CASTOR, who perceived the victory rested
with his side: and the colonel. with profuse
apologies for his clumsiness, walked
towards the window and gazed down into
the street.
The music of 1.-THE Gondoliers' seemed to
have caught very strongly upon the good
people of Durnstabe. A man passed below,
whistling Il Stole the Babe" and the
colonel turned again towards the room, and
as he did so an idea seemed to strike him.
He walked over to the fireplace, picked up
the slender FURNISHED steel poker, and, in
serting the end into the aperture where the
shaft of the door handle fitted, used il as a
spindle. and with a dexterous twist turned
the lock and opened the door.
"Ah, Got it,
Colonel Walton, you are an inventive
genius.
Mrs. Slater many people have done me
the honor to make a similar observation"
Castor won his game, then coffee and mu-
sic. permission to smoke for the gentlemen,
and time that once dragged, was now fleet
footed. Never before had the colonel shone
so brilliantly or been so full of anecdote
AT last Il struck, and he rose.
"One more game before you co. colonel,
CASTOR begged, as the ladies left them.
Well well, as you like. But be careful;
I'm in winning mood now"
Come along. then; 1T Is your revenge"
1T is. and I'll have it,
The pieces moved silently for half min
ute, and then the manager gasped.
'Confound it adj. What's that?"
THAT, CASTOR, my dear boy" the colonel
replied, as he rose. with grim smile, that
| is what every man gets once or twice in his
| lifetime and never learns to like-'FOol's
Mate. Good night. dear boy good night"
-Huan Nee, in Casselrs.