Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-01-05

Of it; and | shall give him in charge
the moment we get to Rugby
at was clear that i must bolt from
the carriage the instant the train
reached the Rugby platform, and be
fore policeman could be called. The
train was already slowing, and l hastily
gathered up my rug and umbrella and
prepared TO move toward the door.
"'No, you don't, my mani said Mrs.
Scoble, rising and taking possession OF
the door by the simple process of
thrusting half Of her ample person
through the window.
II saw at once that the game was
up.
THAT man has picked my pocket,
said Mrs. Scoble, as soon as the police
man opened the door. Search him and
you'll find my purse in his possession.
1t is marked "A. ID. S. and has four five
pound notes, two sovereigns, and some
change in it, besides my ticket
What do you say TO thisY the po-
liceman asked me, evidently impressed
with the certainty of my guilt.
Simply that it isn't true | replied.
4 know nothing of the lady's purse,
and | can easily convince you that l am
respectable person.
My goodness" exclaimed my ac
cuser. Why, the fellow isn't deaf and
dumb after all! Constable, he pre-
tended 10 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 car
rage. l stopped and picked il 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 out
of my window
81 wouldn't advise you 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 your
self in trouble. You'll have to give me
your name and address, in case any
thing more comes Of this
IL gave him my address as soon as
l could get away from the carriage,
and at the same time gave him sur
reptitious five shiIings and asked him
not TO give my name to Mrs. Scoble.
Il saw Scoble on the platform as the
train drew up at Greencroft but he
did not see me, for ] had concealed
myself behind the curtains Of the car
riage. l watched him until his back
was turned and then sprang out and
bolted into the cloakroom, which was
close at hand. l had hoped TO remain
there until Scoble had left the station,
but | was disappointed. The porter in
attendance, finding that l had no par
ticular business with him, Immediate
ly suspected me Of designs upon the
property under his charge and told me
that l must not stay in the cloakroom.
l tried bribery, but the action only
confirmed his suspicion, and he rough
~ ordered me 10 60 about my bust
ness or he would have me arrested.
just then Scoble spied me.
Why, here you are, after ALI he
exclaimed. Where on earth have you
been?'
The niece had returned, and was
standing looking in bewilderment, 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? burst into uncon-
trollable laughter.
There never was anything so con-
tagious and irresistible as that laugh
since the world began, and the fash
nf ha RI icn oh
have made John Calvin smile even in
the act Of burning a hereto. l could
not help it, but in another moment
found myself joining in the girls laugh
ter, while -Scoble stood and gazed at
US with an almost frightened express
sion.
The niece was the first TO speak
Uncle she said, there has been mis-
take that would have been perfectly
awful if Mr.. Johnston had not been
a real humorist and seen the funny
side Of it, Auntie has driven home,
for she could not wait any longer, and
we will all three walk home together,
and you shall know all about it.
IL hesitated for second and then
said to myself that l would meet 80
aunts sooner than say goodby TO the
niece before l had convinced her that
| was not always stupid, and that 1
could sometimes be other than a
nuisance. not only walked home with
her and faced the dismayed and re-
pentant aunt, but | staid my full week
at Greencroft. When went away / was
engaged TO be married, and had al
ready begun to call Mrs. Scoble aunt
partly TO show her that l bore no NAL
ice and partly by way of emphasizing
the triumph that the man whom she
had called stupid had won. Pail Mall.
An Indians Romantic story.
a chief of the Omaha Indians died re-
Gently in whose career was wound up q
-