The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1901-07-11
and looking Nedham squarely in the

and looking Nedham squarely in the
face.
''You f1atter me, young man." chuc-
kled the portly merchant. "And who,
may I ask, reported SO favorably Of
mew
"My name," replied the STRIPPING,
leaning over the table-"my name Is
Wilkins. My father was your partner"
And having fired that shot he awaited
results.
Nedham shivered slightly, and his
face changed color. In a moment, how
ever, he had mastered himself.
"Ah," he said lightly, "are you the
boy I've heard him speak so often
| sometimes! Who could have dreamed
that should have had the pleasure Of
seeing you at such an unlikely hour
and place? Sit down, sir; sit down!
1t is cold as an iceberg here. Let me
get you q whisky and soda" And he
| passed over to the sideboard.
The housebreaker protested, but the
old gentleman insisted.
ITO tell you the TRUTH" he said,
laughing, you've given me quite a
turn. 1 need something to still my
fiuttering heart, and I make it rule
never to drink alone when there is
company about"
So saying he handed Wilkins the
frothing stimulant, and, filling up his
own glass to the brim, he raised 1t
with:
"Well, sir, drink to you, and sim
cerely hope 1 have not disappointed
you by appearing so unexpectedly on
the scene tonight"
The STRIPPING drank in silence. For
a minute no words passed.
last, "you will now send for the po-
liceT
The merchant laughed loudly as he
lay back in his chair.
"Why police?" he said. "You have
not robbed me-"
II had that Intention" was the re.
ply. "But, like most of my other
schemes in life, it did not come off
But remember if l had cleared your
sideboard l should not have called my.
self robber-not even a lawbreaker
| N
him and were the cause Of his ruin al
the end"
Nedham drew himself up, fidgetine
on his seat.
IL do assure you," he said soothing
ly, there is no vestige of truth in the
accusation. You may not know that
your father was subject to hallucina
ton long before we parted company"
II disagree with you, SIR" put II
the other, with trembling lip. "Bu
that is all past now and need not bt
mourned over. My father is far be
yond business trickery at this moment
But candidly 1 bear you a bitte
grudge and ever will do so. So doe
another-my mother"
"Your mother? queried the old mai
in whisper. "She is still alive, then
All, the mention of her brings back t
me the days of youth! presume you
father never told you how he came be
tween us and made the only woman
ever loved his wife? p
81 am in no mood for sentiment" tn
young man interrupted. "And beside
that, too, is a bygone. What 1 d,
know is that the terrible crash cam
Unexpectedly and brought down to tn
earth like a card castle all that mad
for happiness with us. l had to leav,
college, and, though l have tried,
never have been able to mend tn,
broken thread Of my life. But all thi
does not interest you" And he movet
toward the door.
"Do have another drink!' insisted
the merchant. ''It is bitterly cold out
side, and you may have long way t.
walk"
The offer was declined.
AS the gentleman burglar passed in
to the hall he turned with force'
smile and said:
81 came by the back door and will
60 by it, presumew
"Not at ALP cried Nedham effusive
ly. mo visitor at Woodlands ha
ever been allowed to do that. Let m
show you out by the front door, an
when next you come to see me perhap
you will give me fairer warning thai
7 you did this morning."
He opened the door and held out hi
hand. The youngster took it coldly.
"By the way" said the merchant, 81
l your mother in need of money"
"MoneyY said Wilkins, drawing hin
self up proudly on the doorstep. "Cha1
r ity? And from such as you? Than
God, we are not yet reduced to tha
3 levelw
= And, so saying, he passed out into tn
t night. Nedham listened to the re
' treating footsteps for some moment
:. and then quietly shut the door.
e "Queer fellow, certainly" he chut
kled. But a boy of spirit-aye, bo
!, Of spirity he added emphatically as b
: pulled on the bolts.
The Australian branch of Mr.. Net
hams business, which he opened q
=, Melbourne some four years ago,
e thriving beyond all expectations. Blu
1 when business friends congratulate
Mr.. Nedham he laughs and says:
c II mustn't take the credit. It's youn
! Wilkins concern. I'm taking him int
4 partnership with the new year."-Ch
. cagO Times Herald.