The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-11-26
lines with the heroine, and the audi.

exception of the friends OF her lady
ship and the other actors, who soon
joined them, without changing their
apparel, eager to receive their share Of
the well-earned praise.
Suddenly O man, bare-headed and
breathless, rushed into the room, and
straight to Lady. It was the
butler. Tom reeled, and prepared to
leave.
"My lady! my lady" the man
shouted; "the diamondsl Where are
they?"
Every one ceased talking and stood
aghast.
"The diamonds ~ hy?-What did
you do with them, Mr.. Thompson9"
she said, turning to Tom.
Cool and collected, now that real
danger menaced, he replied: 81 gave
them to this man."
"To me? You are mistaken!" yelled
the butler. "Good heavens, my lady,
you have been robbed"
II certainly saw you on the stage"
one of the actors said.
"Saw me!-me!-on the stage!-
never! Oh, your ladyship, I see it
ALI I have been personated. I was
drugged, and the diamonds have
gone," replied the butler, in ritiable
manner.
Conviction rang in his words, and
horror. stricken silence prevailed. The
loss was truly terrible. The door of
an ante-room opened and q constable
entered and proceeded to cross-exam-
inc the butler. 1t was rather coin
cidence that he planted himself next
to Tom. Otherwise he took no notice
of him.
The door opened again, and an
other person entered. The spectators
gazed at him and at the butler in as
constituent. They were identically
alike. "Two butlers" they ejac-
ulated. The personation was so COM
plete it was hard to tell the real one.
But the comedy was not yet fin
ished. Two policeman led in yet an
other butler. The ludicrous turn Of
the situation was too much for the
risibilities of the younger portion of
the spectators, and when some wag
among them in an audible whisper
said, "Still they come!" they shrieked
with laughter, needless Of her lady
ships loss.
Tom in the meantime was Mortified.
He never for moment anticipated
failure, and had therefore made no ar-
rangements for flight. To escape now
meant suspicion and exposure. He
resolved to brave it out, confident that
Shady would not give him away.
A few more constables now appeared,
and one Of them took the precaution
of locking every door in the room. The
suspense was fearful, and curiosity
alone kept some Of the ladies from
fainting.
Her ladyship, faint with her loss,
and almost dumb with surprise, looked
at first, one butler and then the other,
and at last gasped out for an explana-
ton. For reply butler number two
rapidly Invested himself Of beard and
wig, and iolly-looking, yet cute face
appeared. It was noticed that Tom
made an effort to move, but the COM
panionable policeman seized his arm,
an ominous clip was heard, and he
caved in.
my lady," commenced the jovial-
faced personator, "you will kindly ex-
cuse me keeping you in suspense-it
was necessary-and I hope you will
pardon me saying I trust this occasion
will be lesson to you not to trust
every genial faced old man you me ct.
Mr.. Thompson, as you know him, is
one of London's smartest crackmen,
whom have wanted some time. But
Ter No. She one between the two
policemen-is his accomplice.
"Disguised as woman, I followed
him here, knowing he would, sooner
or later, join his pal. Unknown to
him stayed at the same tavern as he,
and this afternoon did a little burgle
on my own account. That's, Ientered
his room and searched his effects,
among which I found this letter, which
explains q hidden plot. Entering
early in the evening recognized Gen
tleman Tom, in spite of his disguise.
"My next move was to procure a
disguise, and I thought I could not do
better than adopt the lead I had given
me. Returning with some constables
7 managed to arrest Shady without at
tracing attention, and it was I who
received the jewels, and not him. I
have them here, and I trust your lady
ship will find them intact. Consta-
bles, remove those men,"
AS they did so, Tom was heard to
regretfully remark that he wished his
first effort in the literary line had been
declined with the editor 'sregrets, ETC."
Tit Bits.