The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-02-26

the dainty lace she had so carefully
concealed about the upper part Of her
person. It was silently confscated
and stiff fine imposed. which she
paid without half the regret she felt
at parting with her precious lace. The
odious informer was walking about on
the platform with an air Of conscious
rectitude and carefully abstained from
even glancing in her direction.
The train had gone some miles on the
Journey toward st. Petersburg. Some
one paused at her side. She looked up
and beheld the young man who had 50
neatly tricked her. He had an apollo
getic air.
sDo not presume to speak to me"
she exclaimed hotly. "You have done
all the evil you can. wish you were
a gentleman, that it might be possible
to make you feel the contempt you de-
serve"
Madame" he said very gently, 81
only ask one word of explanation. Be-
lieve me, / think I can dispel the mean
opinion of me which I admit you have
every right to entertain. You told me
you had scrap Of lace; not much,
but choice Around my legs-pardon
me for alluding to them-are a hun
dred yards Of a very expensive lace.
Not that alone, but there is a senti-
mental reason attaching to its safe
delivery by me which would have
ade its seizure the keenest disap-
pointment. The officer showed such
suspicious and implacable attitude that
saved my lace at the cost Of yours. l
shall be glad to give you as much Of
this as you lost-you said you had
only "a scrap'-and defray all expense
you were put to-
Ire lady was somewhat Modified by
this respectful and reasonable explana-
ton.
81 said a scrap. It was really ten
yards. AS matter Of fact, it was e3-
ceedingly expensive
He laughed heartily. ga mere baga-
telle. Just so my friend is satisfied"
s'Who is your friend?' she inquired
impulsively.
soh, pardon me! I have sense of
honor"
AS soon as he arrived at his friends
in St. Petersburg he told him he had
been able to bring him only ninety
yards of the lace he had specified.
Prince Murianoffsky laughingly said
that there was no doubt that would be
enough. He unwound it with gleeful
care from his guests legs and they
chuckled over the duties that had been
lodged.
When Thorwald was dressing for
dinner that evening, the prince looked
in on him and said with mock solemn
ty: ssMy aunt viii dine with US to-
night. Don't say word about the
trick with the lace. Her husband is at
the head of the customs, and she would
be terribly scandalized. I don't know
that she would not feel constrained to
report it, although she is so fond OF
Olga that she would not like to spoil
her wedding present. and she knows
couldn't comfortably afford the money
for it and the duties"
Thorwald smilingly promised not to
breathe word about it.
When Prince Murianoffsky went to
the salon, his sister ran up to him and
exclaimed:
isn't it odd. Aunt Feodorovna has
sent me some lace, and it is just the
same kind you got for ne! And
measured it, and it just makes hun
dred yards with the other. You tried
to get hundred yards, you know, and
Mr.. Thorwald could only get ninety"
Just then the Countess X. was an
noruced,
Not a word about the smuggling"
whispered Olga to Mr.. ThoTwald, be
fore Aunt Feodorovna. Mon Dieu. she
would be horrifed."
Thorwald nodded his head, and as he
turned his eyes to the redoubtable
aunt who was entering the room in
magnificent toilet he recognized his
companion in crime Of the railway. She
gave a half start as he was presented
TO her, but instantly rallied and, fixing
her bright eyes on him, said meaning
", 81 am glad to know you, Mr. Thor
wald.''
AS he was taking her into dinner she
put up her fan and whispered impress
sively:
'.Not syllable about the lace' They
would be awfully scandalized.
''Not a word. countess muFnured
Thorwald. ..Only-my lace was for
your niece too"
BaIeful 1Sneracce.
Little WiHie-Paw. where is th' 18TH
mus Nv Panama?
Father-Th' isthmus Of Panama?
Willie, do you mean to tell me that you
have been studying grammar two
years and you don't know where the
isthmus of Panama is? If you amt
able to conjugate the isthmus of Pan