The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1899-09-16

dow
"'He could not have done that, replied
the niece, for l was looking at him at the
time, and he never once took his hands or
his eyes away from his newspaper
MY dear child Do you suppose you
are quick enough to watch the motions of
professional pickpocket? That man has
my purse. | am perfectly sure of it; and
l shall give him in charge the moment we
get to Rugby"
at was clear that must bolt from the
carriage the instant the train reached the
Rugby platform, and before a policeman
could be called. The train was already
slowing, and hastily gathered up my rug
and umbrella and prepared to move toward
the door.
no, you don't, my man., said Mrs.
Scoble, rising and taking possession OF the
door by the simple process of thrusting half
of her ample person through the window.
81 saw at once that the game was up.
"'That man has picked my pocket,
said Mrs Scoble, as soon as the policeman
opened the door. Search him and you'll
find my purse in his possession. 1t is
marked "a. d. S" and has four e5 notes.
two sovereigns and some change in it, be-
sides my ticket
"'What do you say to this?' the police
man asked me, suddenly impressed with
the certainty of my guilt.
" Simply that it isn't true, l replied.
y know nothing of the lady's purse, and
can easily convince you that am respect
able person.
"'My goodness exclaimed my accuser.
why, the fellow isn't deaf and dumb,
after all. Constable, he pretended to be
deaf and dumb. That shows what a
scoundrel he isl
81 rose up to follow the policeman, and
my foot struck against something that was
lying on the floor Of the carriage. l stop
ped and picked it up. 1t was the missing
purse.
" Is that your purse, madam l asked,
as l held it up. You must have dropped
it when you were looking ont of my win
dow
"I wouldn't advise him to play that
game any more said the policeman,
severely. Let me tell you, sir, that if you
travel under false pretenses You needn't be
surprised if you find yourself in trouble
You'll have to give me your name and
address, in case anything more comes of
this
81 gave him my address as soon as
could get away from the carriage, and at
the same time gave him surrepttious
five shillings, and asked him not to give
my name to Mrs. Scoble.
81 saw Scoble on the platform rs the
train drew up at GreencIGft, hut he did not
see me, for had concealed myself behind
the curtains of the carriage. | watched
him until his back was turned and then
sprang out and bolted into the Sloak.room,
which was close at hand. | had hoped to
remain there until Scoble had left the sta
tion but | was disappointed. The porter
in attendance, finding that had not par
ticular business with him, Immediately
suspected me of designs upon the property
under his charge, and told me that must
not stay in the cloak-room. | tried bribery,
Init tha oI Il
ions, and he roughly ordered me to 90
about my business or he would have me
arrested. Just then S;cohe spied me.
why here you are, after all !! he ex
claimed. Where on earth have you been 9
''The niece had returned, and was stand
ing looking on in hewiderment, first at me
and then at her uncle. Suddenly she took
in the full meaning of the situation, and,
after saying to me, 'Is this Mr. Johnston q
burst into uncomfortable laughter.
There never was anything so contagious
and irresistible as that laugh since the
world began, and the flash Of the girls
mischievous eyes would have made John
Calvin smile even in the act of burning a
hereto. / could not help it, but in another
moment | found myself joining in the girls
laughter, while Scoble stood and gazed at
us with almost frightened expression.
The niece was the first to speak Uncle,
she said, there has been a mistake that
would have been perfectly awful il Mr..
Johnston had not been real humorist, and
seen the funny side Of it. Auntie was
driven home, for she could not wait any
longer, and we will all three walk home
together, and you shall know all about it. )
81 hesitated for a moment, and then said
to myself that l would meet fifty aunts
sooner than say good-by to the niece be-
fore l had convinced her that l was not
always stupid, and that could sometimes
be other than nuisance. | not only
walked home with her and faced the dis
mayed and repentant aunt, but stayed a
full week at Greencroft. When l came
away | was engaged to be married, and
had already begun to call Mrs. Scoble
aunt, partly to know her that bore no
malice, and partly by way of emphasizing
the triumph that the man whom she had
called stupid had Won"