The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1904-01-26
.IHE TROUBLE WITH DAN
rcopyrlght. isog. by T. 6. Mcclure

chill. although the me ram barcig
made the cutters run. a saturatins
night. deceptive to the eye and bring
Ing woe to those unguarded souls who
braved its seeming mildness scorning
umbrella or macintosh.
In the house Of Finch Macomber all
was hospitality and cheer. The volume
of many cordial voices mingllng with
the strains OF the city's choicest orches.
ira poured out into the gloom as the
doors opened 10 admit well covered
figures whose somber wrappings gave
little hint of the rich apparel beneath.
She who half hour ago was JUS
tina Macomber. now TO be known as
Mrs. AlmoD Hnrtwell, stood, bright
eyed and smiling. by her husbands
side. Her hand ached from many fer
vent grasps; her round checks blushed
from many kisses, welcome and other
wise. She lonsed for the moment
when escape would be hers, and with
Almon's arm about her they might
hear the shutting of another carriage
door and speed away upon life's happy
journey.
The man at the door was still busy,
although that hull had come between
general arrival and departure. AT first
his broad, clean shaver face had borne
grin of polite welcome. Now it was
grave and worried, and he glanced fire.
quently over his shoulder TO scan the
throng crowding the rooms behind.
Many knew the old family indoor
man and nodded at him Familiarity,
wondering at his perturbed look. Then
his mistress came up.
Whats the trouble, Dan? Tired
out?'
mo. num-"
Anything 90 wrongT
"No. mum; but there's a-many people
here. Most of 'em know. Some OF
EN- don't. I'm frettin' lest you may
have somethin' stole, num-"
Mrs. Macomber chuckled. "rhere
isn't the slightest danger, Dan. What
with an officer watching the presents
and detective keeping his eye on
things, we needn't worry, guess.
Why don't you 20 now and get bit 10
eat and cup OF coffee? You haven't
sat down since morning, I'll tell Mary
to take your place"
mo, muml Not till they're all gone,
S;'ir.'
You're foolish" said the lady and
moved away.
"Maybew muttered the old man,
leaning one thick shoulder against the
wall. "rhe bobby's a weary boy he's
told me. Three nights now and not
sleepin' well. Dan he says TO me
this noon, Il dread the evenin'. 'Tis
hard for one pair of eyes to cover a
mob Two of us is one too few says
he, but Mr.. Macomber gives me the
grand laugh, and I'll have to tend bar
alone And it's SO.
1.-THE detective? A needle In hay
stack! oh, well, there'll prob'ly be
nothin' happen. All. but TO think of
Miss Tina a-lavln us. And TO stop and
kiss old Dan goodby when she starts
for the church. all in her weddin' gown
like the angel she Is. A baby when
first come twenty year ago to work on
the hosses. Liked me, she did, and
twas Dan, Danr till was like nurse
gal and in the house helpin'. And me,
three months after ring fight Twas
time ! quit; too old, too old. Lucky
rye been to get where l am and no
one suspectn'. Still, twas an honest
trade, and only now and then I'D meet
a man. 4 waiter, coacllman, train
err, fighter, n hostler, nurse gal-he
-hc--and now nice respectable old
butler man mindin' the door and every
thing else. Sure. tits curious round,
bloomin' queer one. Father n Yam
kee. mother English, me born in Aus
tralia brought up in Frisco, fit in Kan
sas City and now for twenty year a
New Yorker, decent and layin' up coin.
Dan, you're not bad sort TO do so well
by your gray hairs"
These reflections. cut short by u
burst Of shouting mirth, rush Of feet,
! shower Of rice and flying slipper
changed 10 swift attention. Dan closed
the portal after the fleeing couple and
watched the scattering to the dressing
rooms, for the exodus was at hand.
The crowd began TO thin with Dams
: |
with his overcoat collar high turned &c
his ears, pressed close upon the heels
of the Drayton party. There was q
Sudden stoppage. Dams watchful eye
narrowed sharply. The old servants
: hand stole cautiously up the back OF
the cyercoat beside him to touch the
hair and lift it slightly with an unfelt
finger.
wig" he growled to himself, "and
cropped! By
Right alongr' sounded his pleasant
{ call. and with the movement his foot
went out. The gentleman beside hin
! stumbled and clicked his teeth witt
an exclamation.
:, beg PARDON said the butler ant
!, caught him gently around the body
but with hands that ran searchingly
! and pressed on curious hard knobs.
60 on. please" entreated Dan calm
9 ". dropping his right arm and slipping
] TO the left and forward. mot hurt, sir
i l hopc?"