Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-07-28

stealing milk from baby to accept his
offer to bet A man more honorable
than Blue Thompson would have hesi-
tated to take advantage of his unsophis-
ticated innocence.
When the bet was all arranged, and
the stakes properly deposited, Joe said:
Now, how and when is this thing to
be decided?"
Bob looked up at Thompson, trust
ingly, as il inviting him to answer. The
latter, assuming an important, swag-
gering, arrogant air, and ignoring Bob
entirely, said:
"A week Is all the time want for
marrying the widow. You can prepare
to hard over the stakes to me by that
time
And If you don't marry her" Bob
said, questioningly, II get the money"
"Of course" Thompson answered,
condescendingly But, IL were you,
would not lay awake of nights, plan
ming out how to invest 1t. =
s'Oh, won't" Bob replied. Il never
lose sleep over th;@gs like that. But,
why should we wait week to decide this
thing? why not decide it right now?'
Thompson laughed and the crowd
joined In Bob was certainly very
funny.
''Do you think man can decide d
thing like this in two mifutes?" Thomp-
son asked.
81 cam" Bob replied.
''You can? HSx?'
'I'll show you"
In d flash Bob had pulled his gun and
held 1t pointed at Blue Thompson 5 head.
The latter started back, with surprise,
and the crowd began to move restlessly.
''Be quiet, gentlemen, everybody"
Bob said, and the softness and gentle
ness was all gone out Of his voice, and
the smile had left his face. This Is a
little matter OF business, and 1t is all
quite regular, assure YOU
ssBut, there shall be no murder here"
Joe interposed! You shall not resort
to that to win your bet. Men, disarm
him"
Several or the spectators started to-
ward Bob, but before they could lay
their hands on him he threw back the
lapel OF his coat and revealed . de-
tective's badge. Those who had started
10 lnLerIere Ieil Dack
There will be nobody hurt, Bob said,
unless some of you try to interfere with
me in the discharge of my duty. AS
said, this thing is all proper and reg
ular.'
There was long and death-like ST.
lence. Bob, calm and cool, looked at
Thompson, and the latter, gloomy and
covering, looked at Bob. The specta-
tors, their faces pictures of astonish-
the other. Finally, Joe broke the silence
by saying:
What does it all nean?"
"It means, simply" Bob replied, that
Blue Thompson is not Blue Thompson
at all, and that instead of being braves
bad man he Is only common mrr-
,derer. He killed an old man, stole that
$1,000, and then ran away and changed
his name. have been looking for him
fur about year, for he is badly wanted"
Iii the hearts OF some OF those who
were admirers of the widow glad feel
ing began to creep up It would not be
such a bad thing TO have SO formidable
Il rival as Blue Thompson out of the
way. Some of them, who had felt their
chances of winning the woman as hope
less. took fresh courage, and resolved
to rs-entef the contest. On the morrow,
they told themselves, they would lay
fresh siege toher heart
Presently, the door opened and d man
came In. without d word he walked
over to Blue Thompson, snapped d pair
Of lahdcuffs on him, and relieved him
Of his pistols.
To the men In the saloon there was
something familiar looking about this
man, although they could not remember
ever having seen him. He was
stranger Id the fiat. beyond d doubt, yet
somehow, they felt that 1t had not been
long since they had looked on his fea-
lures. s'But, where?" they asked them
selves, "and when?"
The man looked around on the crowd
and saw the puzzled look on the faces.
He understood and burst into loud,
hearty laugh.
For shame, for shame!" he cried.
''1'm disappointed in you all TO think
that not one of you recognizes me, when
you have seen me every day for weeks,
and some of you have protested to adj
mire me greatlyi It seems cruel and
disappointing that men should SO soon
forget the loved features of the one they
profess to adore!'' 81
There was long and awkward pause
then some one said:
''It is the widow
The man looked up with smile.
Yes" he said, Il was the widow, but,
now, am detective. I'm sorry If any
of you feel disappointed, and / trust
that shall leave no broken hearts, here,
when | go away You have all made IL
very pleasant for me, and to show that
/ am not ungrateful want you all to
come UP and have one with me-
At first there was some hesitation for
the disappointed lovers felt sore, but,
presently, they thought better Of it, and,
treating the matter as good joke, lined
up at the bar and had, not only one, but