The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-01-29

had been an art acquired and not in
herited, a certain dash Of 0bsequious-
ness in his complaisance which hith-
erto / had taken simply as good tenn
per and quasi-carelessness. j remem-
bered his restlessness. his watchful
anxiety when he first came. and those
eager glances scanning the small world
on the platform when he arrived
restlessness and anxiety which ! had
put down to the overstrain OF London
life and the nervousness resulting. But
now i scarce knew what to think. The
story, as he told it, did not explain
things to my satisfaction, and this less
ened glamor gave me a clearer in
sight. But I was in cleft stick and
without grounds for hostile action had
I even the wish to take 1t.
1t was in the bitterest time OF the
winter months when Montgomery one
day said to me quite suddenly: i must
go over to Lancaster tomorrow.
You'll have a cold drive" I said.
He could not ride, so I knew he
would not ask for my pony
How can get a trap?' he asked
"Oh! I'll manage that" answered;
and I'll come with you for the sake OF
the outing"
thought he looked disturbed at this,
sut had an uneasy feeling about this
trip. / did not want to lose sight OF
my charming lodger. who by this time
owed me for nearly three months
board and lodging, and-I wanted TO
see the end Of the drama.
"But l mean to stop few days, NJ
said.
DO you? Well I can come back
before you" l continued. AT all
events the jaunt win not be unpleasant,
even in this bitter weather, and we
shall enjoy it better together"
"All right" said Montgomery, in
tone that suggested 1t was all wrong.
got the trap. and we set out over
the rough road which the winter rains
and storms had made worse than be-
fore. We were a little behindhand to
start with. Montgomery had taken an
unconscionable time to dress, and by
his bulky appearance had stuffed all
he possessed into his pockets. Inis
delay lost US our train, and when we
got to the station there was nothing
for us but blankness and disappoint-
ment. There we're but two trains out
in the day-this at noon which we had
lost. and one at four o'clock to eaten
the up mail train at Lancaster.
What shall we do?" I said, when
our fasco was made apparent
To my surprise and indignation my
lodgers only reply was a torrent Of
about the foulest oaths / had ever
heard from human lips.
Swearing won't help us" ! said,
grayely, "and please remember am
clergyman"
Montgomery seemed TO pull himself
together upon this. and made an apol-
ogy Of a sort.
Let US go for drink to the pub
he said
"All right" / answered. You have
your drink and I'll have some tea"
We turned up to the little village
where the Wheatsheaf held out all
manner OF promises Of good cheer for
man and beast. In the bar parlor we
found among others old Bob Liant,
lounging about as usual. AS we en-
tered and gave our orders-Mont-
romery for his brandy and for my
teal saw the old fellows eyes nxed
on my companion with an anxious
scrutiny. After a minute he went out.
and l could see through a small pane
let into the door what Montgomery
could not-the old constable alter
nately reading a sheet Of paper and
looking at Montgomery.
Then he went into the street, and /
watched him go into the postofhce,
which was also a telegraph Office.
Was there any connection between
this and his scrutiny Of my lodger2
we were lingering about the place.
MONTGOMERY resolute to go to Ian
caster by the four o'clock train, and I
As resolute 20 wait at Fellside VITA
him-I thought to his ehagrln-when
the noise Of an engine painting into the
station was heard. 1t was at an en-
tirely unconveaanted hour, and It
meant a special It meant something
more: for presently two policemen
walked up the cobble-paved street and
( turned into the Wheatsheaf. accom-
panied by Bob Liant Ny lodger and
had gone back there for shelter from
the rain. which was falling steadily.
When they entered saw Montgom-
cry start. turn white, and, as II were,
cover. The elder Of the two came mp
10 him and tapped him on the shoulder.
Il arrest you in the queens name.
he said. "l0r stealing Lady Asplin's
jewels"
stealing I cried; and I knew that
was as white as my friend, my charm
ing lodger.
yes" said the man. st0lidly. This
man. Jim Brown. was Lady Asplin's
confidential butler. and made OF with
her Jewels on October 20 last Since
then we've missed him. and only to-day
came up with him. cot now he's safe.