The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1899-06-08

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. Well, I've no OBJ
lection, for the old ladies are too mean
for anything, and it'd serve them right.
But you must pay my price-it's 500
down-that's the price of ticket of
admission. Buy. ticket, and | let's
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-
lingo | stammered.
There, thatll 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 500 down. If
you marries me, of course it'll come
back to you.
YOU'RE clever girl, my dear says
l. Wild as | felt, couldn't help but adj
mire the way she'd fooled me.
"'Well, what do you say" she says.
Il saw il was no good to soft-soap her
any more, but | said 500 was oceans
TOO much-rd give S25.
"'One hundred; not farthing less,
major, says She.
We'll, we haggled bit, and at last
she agreed on $50 down, and the rest
by post not later than Sunday morn
ing.
"'Tll remember l says, but you're
Il clever girl, my dear and kisses her.
l couldn't help but admire her.
But, deep as she was, l was bit
deeper. AS | went back wondering
where the other fifty was to come from,
l suddenly recollected I'd got two or
three flash bills in my bag at the hotel.
| posted them Saturday night.
But | was going to be bit deeper
still. On the Saturday | bought some
chloroform, for l didn't intend to lose
what I'd given her. AS soon as I'd got
in | meant to get close beside her and
make love to her a bit, and when she
was enjoying it l should put hand
kerchief over her nose and mOuth-and
lllCIC Snt u DS. lOuJ L ulGduJ W ltdNt
her ten dollars if the swag was up to
the mark, for she was clever girl
Just before six | set off and watched
the house from some trees not far off.
1t was all right; about $3.50 the two old
ladies, with big prayer-books, came
out, and ten minutes after the cook
followed them, in a big hurry. Liz was
waiting for me.
Good evening, major she says,
laughing. You are come, them
"'Of course, my dear says, kissing
her You don't think l 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 |
was getting that handkerchief ready,
and when she was of her guard just
slipped it over her nose and mouth and
held it fast.
My goodness! but / couldn't have
believed she was so strong. She strug-
gled, and fought, and kicked, and l
was afraid l couldn't hold her till the
chloroform had worked. But bit by
bit she weakened, and at last she sank
down on the floor unconscious. l
searched her pockets and found the let
ter with the flash notes inside l had
sent that morning. After I'd got the
swag | meant to have look round for
the real money.
Il knew she'd be all right for the
next 20 minutes at least, but | turned
the key of the bathroom to make dou-
bly, sure, and goes to the old danes
dressing room. There was little safe
in the corner, but, bless you, it was no
harder than child's money box, and in
ten minutes | had it open. There were
gold bracelets and diamond brooches,
Is in gold and bills, and a tirst-class
pearl necklace that must have cost
three figures. | had brought leather
handbag with me, and | was on my
knees slipping the stuff into it, when
down | went full length on the floor,
and before | knew what had happened
somebody was sitting on me, and
voice said: Just attempt to get up, my
man. and I'll brain you And then he
got my hands behind me, and in a jiffy
l found darbies on my wrists. OF
course il was a bobby.
Il felt just like a baby. and was near
crying betwiXt rage and shame.
"T must leave you moment, ma
ior,' he says. laughing outright, but I'd
better make sure and he ties my legs
together.
HE goes TO the bathroom and hears
him calling: Lizzie, Lizzie There
was no answer, and then I hears him
put his great carcass against the door
and burst it open.
SIN about half an hour they both
comes in. She looked pale, but they
were both laughing as if they would
never stop
1.-The next time, major he says
when he could speak, the next time
you make love to girl, be sure she
isn't engaged to a policeman. We've
been engaged IS months, major, so you
see you were too late. But we're both
obliged for the wedding present