The Forrest City times., 1899-05-12

GNN bP ut oliG Ol IllG pest hotels
 and spent freely, and the cash began
 to give out, so l had to think of busi-
 ness again. l looks round and I spotted hne house near the West cliff-two old maids, as rich as Rothschilds. I was told. They'd got a fine lot of jew elry, l got to know, but they'd never wore it.; they lived as plain as if they'd
 only $500 year. They kept one man. who was gardener and coachman, and two girls. The cook was about 50. I should say, big Scotchwoman; but the
 housemaid, Lizzy Leeds. was young and
 pretty and innocent-looking. You'll do
 for me- l ses to myself, and one even
 ing when she went out goes up to her an raises my hat as polite as a duke. Excuse me, says, but am speaking to Miss Mordell, I believer
 "No,' she says, but I could see at once she was taken with my grand ways. 1 turned on the sentimental ian. you bet, sir. Well, she swallowed ii all
 like jam, and told me she went to the
 post office nearly every evening. "The next evening l was waiting for
 her with a fine bokey, and I got on first rate. She stopped five minutes at the gate while l told her how pretty
 she was, and kissed her hand on part ing. Before the end of the week I'd
 kissed her in the proper place and given
 her bracelet. pumped her all could, and she answered as inocently as a lamb.
 "The next Wednesday was her after noon out, and l took her for sail, and
 gave her good tea afterwards. went
 ahead like an express; 1 told her all about my estate in Cheshire, and bought her ring, and we fixed that day three
 months for the wedding day. "The next Sunday evening I found out she would be all alone, for the two
 old ladies and the cook were going to church. Then I'm coming in to see you, my dear says |; I'm sure it's
 lonely for you in that big house by yourself. You shall show me round the house-it puts me in mind of my cous- in's house in Yorkshire, where I've
 been staying. I'm rather poor now, but when my cousin dies
 "I stopped, for she was laughing. Now, look here, major, dear says she,
 don't suppose l don't know your little
 game. You want to have a look round
 the house, and pick up little thing or two in forgetfulness. We'll, I've no ob-
 jection, for the old ladies are too mean for anything, and it'd serve them right.
 But you must pay my price-it's $10O down-that's the price of a ticket of
 admission. Buy ticket, and I lets you inside, not without "A baby could have knocked me down
 at that minute, and she laughed till she
 was tired.
 'What-what do you mean, my dar- ling" 1 stammered
 "'There, that1l do,' she says, still
 laughing; don't think I'm a born idiot. You can take what you can. There's plenty of things upstairs, and lot of
 silver; but my terms is $l0O down. If you marries me, of course it'll come back to you
 "'You're a clever girl, my dear says I. Wild as felt. couldn't help but ad- mire the way she'd fooled me.
 "'Well, what do you say?' she says. II saw it was no good to soft-soap her any more, but l said $100 was oceans too much-Td give $25.'
 "'One hundred; not farthing less, major,' says she.
 Well, we haggled bit, and at last she agreed on $50 down, and the rest by post not later than Sunday morn ing.
 "'Fll remember says, but you're clever girl, my dear,' and kisses her. l couldn't help but admire her. But, deep as she was, was bit deeper. As I went back wondering
 where the other fifty was to come from, I suddenly recollected I'd got two or three flash bills in mybag at the hotel I posted them Saturday night. But I was going to be a bit deeper still. On the Saturday l bought some chloroform, for l didn't intend to lose
 what I'd given her. As soon as I'd got in I meant to get close beside her and make love to her bit, and when she was enjoying it I should put hand kerchief over her nose and mouth-and there she'd be. But meant to leave her ten dollars if the swag was up to the mark, for she was a clever girl. Just before six I set off and watched the house from some trees not far off. It was all right; about 6:30 the two old
 ladies, with big prayer-books, came out, and ten minutes after the cook followed them, in big hurry. Liz was l waiting for me.
 "'Good evening, major, she says, laughing. You are come, then" ".Of course. my dear l says, kissing her. You don't think 1 could stay away from you. You got the notes all right?'
 "'Yes, thank you, major, she says, still laughing. You are brick. "'And so are you, my dear and l put my arm round her and made her sit down beside me. All the time l
 was getting that handkerchief ready, and when she was off her guard just slipped it over her nose and mouth and
 held it fast.
 "My poodness! but I couldn't have