Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-01-12
The Burglar and the
Bridegroom.

nOOu, WuSu souAS man WIN q ""' ~
mustache and glasses, who had evil
IDENTITY just boarded the train, walked
down the car aisle and paused In
Quiringly at the vacant seat by my
side. The train was we'll filled, ana
after pausing for an instant as If to
see whether / objected to sharing my
seat with him, the stranger planted
himself at my side.
Finally he leaned over to me. and,
touching my arm, said:
II trust, sir, the arrangements will
be satisfactory"
Il beg your pardon, sir" ] replied.
Il am Miss Celeste's man. was
sent to meet you"
never neglected an opportunity to
take advantage of circumstances, and
I merely replied;
Indeed"
We are due at Providence at 1922,
The ceremony will take place at s, he
went on, ignoring my noncommittal
replies.
IF you will please to give me your
baggage checks" he continued, Il will!
have the servants attend to it when
we arrive"
Il have nothing with me but this
satchel," | replied,
"Ah, you have sent 1t on ahead
That is good. But he said, you arc
perhaps wondering how 7 recognized
you?"
II am not remarkably well known, >
! replied, and my pictures"
'Ah, you look just like them Miss
Celeste allowed me to look at one. |
am gratitied that you did not forget
a suggestion | made 20 Miss Celeste
that you wear a fedora and a pink
rose"
so that was your idea was it," |
said.
The train commenced to slow up for
Providence. My companion arose
and | followed him when he Ieaped
upon the platform.
A carriage attended by two footmen
was in waiting and my companion
guided me to it. was IN such a
strange position that would have
preferred doing without footmen at
this particular time.
In few moments the carriage
drew up at the door of a large, we'll
lighted house, with broad veranda.
From the parlor laughter and CONVEX
sation indicated that a large COM
pany was present. As We alighted an
other carriage, which had been just
ahead of lis, turned from the curb and
a solitary gentleman walked up to the
house
I'VE are Just in time. That is the
minister" said my guide. Il Will
show YOU to your room, II you please,
and you can join the company in the
parlor as soon as you are ready. II
you need me you can ring" The
broad staircase was at hand, and |
was saved the embarrassment OF meet
ing any of the guests whom might be
expected to know. Celeste. also, ] es
capped
My room was large, and upon the
bed n number OF packages were spread
out. opened one OF them. 1t was a
dozen silver spoons. A small card
read: TO Mr.. and Mrs. George Mo
part Congratulations" Evidently
the package was intended for me. |
opened several others. One was Il
handsome diamond pin. Just as
took 1t NO | heard the knob OF my door
turp and unconsciously | slipped it in
to my pocket.
Ny companion OF the train entered.
Miss Celeste desires me to say that
she will meet you at the head OF the
stairs in 10 minutes, and will descend
witt YOU for the ceremony.
ION, ,nank You, William. Is your
aame william? ] forget.
James, sir.
Very we'll. James that will do.
retied my cravat and then took an
other look at the presents. ! remem-
bered afterward that l failed to return
that pin. Several other remarkably
costly presents of small size were als6
missing afterward, though | remem-
her perfectly seeing them on the bed
while | was in the room
| had just six minutes In which &c
keep my appointment with Celeste
Had il not been for the ceremony
which was scheduled TO take place i'm
mediately afterward. believe | shout
have allowed my love OF adventure tc
lead me To the head of the stairs. Ce
!este, Nice name | wondered wha
she was like, as I softly opened tht
door and looked out into to the hall
WAY. She was not there yet. Neither
were the servants. | left the room
closing the door tightly behind me.
The hall was deserted. At the heac
Of the stairs could hear laughter ane
conversation. ] had my hat in my
hand, but in order not to excite com
ment had left my small satchel be
hind. strolled ont onto the veranda
Just at that moment down the stree
I heard the rumble OF cab. In an
other moment a four-wheeler driver
furiously hauled up and Young NAL