The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1901-03-13
ever he mad mastereu n1mse1r.

Eli uC SdlQ lightly AXE yOU LIE
boy I've heard him speak SO often
about? How strangely people meet
sometimesi Who could have dreamed
that I 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
1 get you 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
4 turn. need something to still my
futtering heart, and make it rule
never to drink alone when there is
company about"
So saying he handed Wilkins the
/ frothing stimulant, and, filing up his
own glass to the brim, he raised it
4 with:
"Well, sir, drink to you, and sin
cerely hope have not disappointed
you by appearing SO Unexpectedly on
the scene tonight
The STRIPPING drank in silence. For
a minute no words passed.
! 81 suppose Wilkins muttered at
/ last, you will now send for the po-
lice?'' 4ess = "a
The merchant laughed loudly as he
! lay back in his chair.
why policey' he said. "You. have
not robbed me-
81 had that intention" was the re-
ply. But, like most of my other
schemes in life, it did not come off.
/ Eut remember if | had cleared your
sideboard l should not have called my
self robber-not even a lawbreaker
My father has told me that you robbed
him and were the cause of his ruin at
the end
Nedham drew himself up, fdgeting
on his seat.
81 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"
81 disagree with you, SIR" put in
the other, with a trembling lip. "But
] that is all past now and need not be
mourned over. My father is far be-
yond business trickery at this moment.
But candidly | bear you a bitter
/ grudge and ever will do so. So does
/ another-my mother
"Your mother?" queried the old man
in whisper. "She is still alive then ?
All, the mention of her brings back to
me the days Of youth! l presume your
father never told you how he came be-
! tween us and made the only woman l
ever loved his wife? r.
81 am in no mood for sentiment" the
! young man interrupted. "And besides
that, too is a bygone. What do
know is that the terrible crash came
unexpectedly and brought down to the
earth like a card castle all that made
for happiness with us. l had to leave
college, and, though have tried,
never have been able to mend the
broken thread of my life. But all this
does not interest YOU And he moved
toward the door.
do have another drinkr' insisted
the merchant. 1T is bitterly cold out
side, and you may have long way to
walk
/ The offer was declined.
AS the gentleman burglar passed in
! to the hall he turned with a forced
smile and said:
81 came by the back door and will
go by it, presumed"
mot at all!' cried Nedham ELUSIVE
ly. mo visitor at Woodlands has
ever been allowed to do that. Let me
show you out by the front door, anG
when next you come to see me perhaps
you will give me fairer warning thar
you did this morning"
He opened the door and held out his
hand. The youngster took it coldly.
by the way" said the merchant, 'si
your mother in need of, money!
money!" said Wilkins. drawing him
self up proudly on the doorstep. ''Char
ity? And from such as you? Thanl
God. we are not yet reduced to tina
leveln
And, so saying, he passed out into tn,
night. Nedham listened to the re
treating footsteps for some moment
and then quietly shut the door.
Queer fellow certainly!' he chuc
Eled. But boy of spirit-aye. DO.
of spiritr be added emphatically as b.
pulled on the bolts.
The Australian branch of Mr.. Ned
hams business, which he opened a
Melbourne some four years ago, il
thriving beyond all expectations. Blu
when business friends congratulate
Mr.. Nedbam he laughs and says:
Il mustn't take the credit. It's youn,
Wilkins concern. I'm taking him int
partnership with the new year. Chi
cage Times Herald.
Famed In History.
Teacher-Now, will some bright littl
boy tell me what bird is the most ia
mons in 3,icforu Tho