, 1904-03-23
THE TROUBLE WITH DAN
[copyright. 1908. by t. C. MoClure.l

night, deceptive to the eye and bring
ing woe to those unguarded souls VINO
braved it's seeming mildness scorning
umbrella or macintosh.
In the house of Finch Macomber all
was hospitality and cheer. The volume
| of many cordial voices mingling with
the strains of the city's choicest orches-
ira poured out into the gloom as the
doors opened to admit well covered
figures whose somber wrappings gave
little hint of the rich apparel beneath.
She who a half hour ago was JUS
tina Macomber, now to be known as
Mrs. Almon Hartwell, stood, bright
eyed and smiling, by her husbands
side. Her hand ached from many fer
vent grasps; her round cheeks blushed
from many kisses, welcome and other
wise. She longed 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 lull had come between
general arrival and departure. At first
his broad, clean shaven face had borne
a 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 go wrong?'
mo, mum; but there's a-many people
here. Most of 'em l know. Some of
'em l don't. I'm frettin' lest you may
have somethin' stole, num-"
Mrs. Macomber chuckled. There
isn't the slightest danger, Dan. What
with an officer watching the presents
and a detective keeping his eye on
things, we needn't worry, l guess.
Why don't you go now and get a bit to
eat and a cup of coffee? You haven't
sat down since morning. I'll tell Mary
to take your place.
mo, HULL. NOt I'll lnCJ lC aA SUM-
num-"
you're foolish" said the lady and
moved away.
"Maybe!' muttered the old man,
leaning one thick shoulder against the
wall. "The bobby's a weary boy he's
told me. Three nights now and not
sleepin' well. Dam he says to me
this noon, 4 dread the evenin'. TITS
hard for one pair of eyes to cover a
mob. Two of us is n too few says
he, but Mr.. Macomber gives me the
grand laugh, and I'll have to tend bar
alone And it's so.
''The detective? A needle in a hay
stack! oh, well, there'll prob'ly be
nothin' happen. All, but to think of
Miss Tina a-layin' 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 l
first come twenty year ago to work ON
the bosses. Liked me, she did, and
twas Dan, DanH till was like a nurse
gal and in the house helpin'. And me,
three months after a ring fight. Twas
time l quit; too old, too old. Lucky
I've been to get where l am and no
one suspectin'. Still, twas an honest
trade, and only now and then I'd meet
a man. A waiter, a coachman, a train
er, a fighter, a hostler, a nurse gal-he
-he-and now a nice respectable old
butler man mindin' the door and every
thing else. Sure, it's a curious round,
a bloomin' queer one Father a 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 a bad sort to do SO well
by your gray hairs"
These reflections, cut short by a
burst of shouting mirth, a rush of feet,
a shower of rice and a flying slipper,
changed to 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
rapid dispositions. A heavy set man,
with his overcoat collar high turned to
his ears, pressed close upon the heels
Of the Drayton party. There was a
sudden %stoppage. Dams watchful eye
narrowed sharply. The old servants
hand stole cautiously up the back Of
the overcoat beside him to touch the
hair and lift it slightly with an unfelt
finger.
wig" he growled to himself, land
cropped! By
Fright along!' sounded his pleasant
call, and with the movement his foot
went out. The gentleman beside him
stumbled and clicked his teeth with
an exclamation.
beg pardon!" said the butler and
caught him gently around the body,
but with hands that ran searchingly
and pressed on curious hard knobs.
go on, please" entreated Dan calm
ly, dropping his right arm and slipping
fo tho loft aud forpaN 1Not hurt cir