Morris tribune., 1901-03-09

whip handle.
"Now," he said in wonderfully COM
posed voice, 1--we caught you clean.
What in all the world may you want
herew
The youngster removed his battered
hat, and his eyes fell as tinge Of color
rose to his cheek.
"a straight question demands a
straight answer" he replied. 81 am in
quest of so, re Of the silver plate you
! boosted about on the top OF the Hamp-
conversation
Nedham laughed and laid the crop on
the table.
"You young foolv' he said. you do
| not know Tom Nedham, or you would
not have tried this mugs game on"
He rubbed his hands. "Tom Nedham
has never been known to be caught
mapping, never"
II have heard said," replied the bur-
glar nervously, "that you are a smart
man of business-a very smart man OF
business" he added, raising his eyes
and looking Nedham squarely in the
face.
"You fatter 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. NV father was your partner"
And having fired that shot he awaited
results.
Nedham shivered slightly, and his
face changed color. In moment, how
ever, he had mastered himself.
"Eh," he said lightly, 'are you the
boy I've heard him speak so often
about? How strangely people meet
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 a 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
turn need something to still my
futtering heart, and l 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
with:
"Well, sir, l drink to you, and 1 sin
cerely hope I have not disappointed
you by appearing SO Unexpectedly on
the scene tonight
The STRIPPING drank in silence. For
a minute no words passed.
II suppose" Wilkins muttered at
last, "you -vill now send for the po-
lice?'
The merchant laughed loudly as he
lay back in his chair.
"Why policeT' 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,
But remember if 1 had cleared your
sideboard / should not have called my
self robber-not even a hwbreaker
My father has told me that you robbed
him and were the cause of his ruin at
the end"
Nedham drew himself up, fidgeting
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"
II disagree with you, SIR" put in
the other, with a trembling lip. "But |
that is all past now and need not be |
incurred over. My father is far be- !
yond business trickery at this moment
But candidfy 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! presume your
father never told you how he came be-
tween us and made the only woman
ever loved his wife? p
III AO L1OOu lOL Tic
young man interrupted. "And besides
that, too, is bygone. What / do
know is that the terrible crash came
and brought down to the
earth like card castle all that made !.
For happiness with us. l had to leavt
college, and, though l have tried, l
never have been able to mend the
broken thread Of my life. But all this
1oes not interest you" And he moved
coward the door
DO have another drinkw insisted
he merchant. ut is bitterly cold out
'ide, and you may have long way to
walk"
The offer was declined.
AS the gentleman burglar passed in
o the hall he turned with a forced
Jmile and said:
Il came b" the back door and will
70 by it. presume?"
mot at all" cried Nedham ELUSIVE
y. "No visitor at Woodlands has
yer been allowed to do that. Let me
now you ont by the trent door and
when next you come to see me perhaps