The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1902-04-03
AT NO. 81.


L James had written to me, "or
sire us by what train to expect you,
md we will meet you"
James and Clara were settled at
est, and I was expected to look
lhem mn. So in due time ! got out Of
I he train. and looked round vainly for
James. How like the Indifference of
S brother that was! Trust brother
Tor failing to meet you. For minute
or two thought of going to an hotel,
and giving him the slip altogether.
II would serve him right.
l flung my bag into an open cab,
and flung myself after II.
"No. 81 Ellis street." said sulkily
10 the driver. And in moment the
cab was jolting over the wretched
cobble-stones.
The rain wns falling hard when
Che wheels finally grated against the
curbstone, and the driver opened the
door for me, and announced:
'sIIere you are, sir-NO. 54!"
I saw the figures painted on the
door. 70 I paid the driver, let him
90. and rang the bell.
After q while rang the bell again.
and yet again, with no result. Then
q occurred TO me how strange IL was
that there was no light In the house.
when they must have been expecting
me, too.
Another turn ut the bell. This
time there was some response. A
woman, evidently servant. came
along the garden at the side Of the
adjoining house. and said:
"Thcre amt nobody at home.
They've gone TO the opery. And it's
thc servants night out"
Then she went bnck.
The rain was pouring. Judging
by the distance I had come, must
b. miles from an hotel. i must
make n run for some shelter part
of the house, aud try TO get into a
nrier place.
My run brought me to n little We
randa Mt the side of the house, and
-, ,iher was another door.
I was seized with an inspiration. I
took my home hatchery out of my
pocket, and tried II In the lock. IL
Fitted!
I opened the door and walked in,
and sat my bag down with sigh of
erlief.
"Ahn! James. my boy. you might
have known your brother better than
60 try TO lock him QUIT" I said glee-
fully 10 myself. And then ! struck
match which the wind blew out.
After l had spent several minutes
striking more matches. I finally lit n
hall lamp. and at the same moment
et fire to the shade. ! extinguished
Che hre by putting the shade on the
noor and stamping ON II repeatedly.
Then left Il where Il had fallen. II
would teach Clara a lesson, for a
great frilled affair on lamp is al.
ways exceedingly dangerous.
The high-pitched barking Of a dog
began 20 annoy me, and went In
pearch Of II, lighting another lamp or
awo on the way. passed through
che hall. and into bedroom m The
other side, and there was the dog
. wretchcd little pug.
have always been a man Of ex.
pedients. chased the pug into cup,
board. and. after brief. violent gym.
nastic exercise, succeeded In turning
q waste-basket over the little beast
and then weighted the basket down
with large lump Of coal.
shut the barking and howling lii.
lle brute In the cupboard.
There was neat little dressing
room adjoining. peeped into II. and
found several suits of James clothe,
hanging along the wall. For tn,
Arst time I remembered that my owl
clothes were damp. and 1 hastenet
70 do just what james would bav,
lnnisted ON n he had been there
put ON some dry clothes.
After that ] wandered into the din
1n9 room. and was charmed to oh
! serve that the materials for a post
opera supper had been thoughtful,
(. ~ on the table. and that there wrr'
(. u1nces for three. Aha! So they wer,
G1peetlug me, then. Hut as ] wai
Sovtnous ! decided 10 eat my shar,
nSw. and not whit. Happy thought
ate q very generous meal.
Then went back Ia the bedroom
uokted 0ne Of James cigars, stretched
\ myself out In IN essy-cha'r, with my
~ - the gsnte. where a warm fire
I ~ 01owed. and Smoked and dreamed
a ~ nst aroused until nm agitated
a m ~ trying 20 insert n key into
c& re ~ front door. ! smiled
4 ~ 1Uflap was going 10 give
Cnse. Just then The hal
1noFAed . voice. n