Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-01-07
A * SINGULAR X GUEST.
She beckoned to the gondoller.

She beckoned to the gondoller.
+ "Captain Norman and | are great
friends" she said, in an explanatory
way. He has not been long home
from abroad, and he knows scarcely
anyone.S
Not blessed SOUL" echoed Mr.. Apps.
You must let me show you around Il
bit, Captain Norman said the Condo
licr, with determined gentility. Can
you come around to my club one night
this week?'
"Whaffor?' demanded Mr.. Apps sus-
piciously.
why, to dine, Say, Thursday"
"'Evens knows where l shall be on
Thursday" said Mr. Apps. Il don't"
You must consider me at your dis
posal if you require any introductions.
l know a lot of good people, and to any
friend of Lady Staplehurst-"
"Oh, come off the roof" said Mr..
Apps, with much discomfort. Watts
the use of torking."
isn't it captalI" asked Lady Staple
hurst of. the gondoler delightfully."-.
"How much more interesting it would
be If everyone would only talk to me
in their character"
Lady Staplehurst arose with some
thing of haste in her manner and spoke
to Henry VIII.
What regiment do you belong to,
Captain Norman" asked the gondolier.
Find out" said Mr.. Apps.
Am | too curious? l know very lit
tie of the army, l am afraid" The
gondolier was resolved to be agreeable
to Lady Staplehurst's friend. 81 always
dodge the army nights in the house. l
suppose you know several Of the SER
vice memberS?'
Il know as many of them as l want
to know" said Mr.. Apps, evasively. "A
man in my position in life as to be bit
careful who he mixes up with"
The hostess returned from Henry
VIII.
Il can make nothing out of this man."
whispered the gondoler to her, as he
arose. II think he's silly"
"If you knew his qualities you
wouldn't speak of him like that" She
resumed her seat by the side of Henry
Apps.
"Well, blow me!' said Lady Staple
hurst, screwins her pretty mouth in
her effort to initiate the cockneys ac.
cent; blow me if this amt fair take,
| mean tike dahn," she laughed ITS
of no Use, Captain Norman, l can't
talk as you can"
ITS a gift" said Mr. Apps, that's
what it is"
you don't want to be introduced to
anybody here, suppose"
"NOt me-
"You have heard"
She pointed in the direction of tho
gondolier.
"All want to-
Hes really making big name in the
house, you know. l watch his career
with great interest"
Thinks jolly lot of hisself."
"Oh, | think lot of him, too" re-
marked Lady Staplehurst pleasantly.
"And is that a jimmy sticking out Of
your jacket pocket? This is indeed
realism. You don't know how it works,
l suppose:"
well, I've got kind of hidea," said
Mr.. Apps. "Lookee ERE. You put this
in and"
Mr. Apps found himself getting quito
excited in the explanation that he gave,
1t was new sensation to meet one who
showed an intelligent interest in his
profession, and he could not help feel,
ing fattered. Looking up, he saw thu
gondolier gazing at him.
"'E don't look 'appy, that chap" said
Mr.. Apps
"Will you excuse me for one mo,
ment?'
"Wot are you up to, miss?" he said
apprehensively.
Il want to speak to him."
"Oh' with relief. II don't mind
that"
While Lady Staplehurst was MAKING
the gondolier resume his ordinary eX.
preston Mr.. Apps thought and thought,
The couples promenading after thu
waltz looked curiously at him.
Its the funniest show you was ever
in, 'Enry," said Mr.. Apps; you're 'av.
ing 'em on toast, you are; but you'll be
gled to get upstairs agen. You want
them diamonds, that's wot you want
Time means money to you, 'Enry."
Lady Staplehurst hurried toward the
doorway. murmur of amusement
went through the room as the guests
saw n new arrival i'm fhp costume of a
police constable, accompanied by man
in plain clothes. Mr.. Apps, thinking
over his exploit, gazing abstractedly at
his boots, regretting their want of pol
sh, did not see them until the plain
clothes man tapped him on the snoul-
der
What, Apps again?' exclaimed the
man.
"Yus," said the burglar, Disconnected
ly. "Yus, it's Apps again, Mr. Walker.
And vurry glad you are to see him, I've
no daght."
always pleasure to meet gentle
nan like YOU" said Mr.. Walker. cheer
fully, as he conducted him toward the
doorway. I've wanted to run up
against you before"
Much commotion in the ballroom at
the diverting little scene. General
agreement that Lady Staplehurst was
perfect genius at entertaining.
but, loveliest girl" said the Condo
lier confidently to Lady Staplehurst.
isn't this carrying a joke rather too
far! That's a real detective"