The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-09-02

WdlhSu up JH0 lTOuL steps u. llG lines
house in Castletown. The house hat
been sold a few weeks before to a gen
tlenan in France, and Mr. Enjoys rea-
sons for visiting the place before it:
owner returned from abroad were
known only to himself.
He was a cool man, v taker
unawares, prepared for any situation
which might present itself, and IL or
that dark night he was surprised to see
the door before him suddenly open. nc
n would have guessed 1t. Certainly
the servant on the inside OF the thresh-
hold did not. He started pack in dis
may. believing 1t to be his new and UNI
known master who stood confronting
him.
Good evening"" said Mr.. Finley,
raising his hat.
"Why-h-hy, we didn't expect you for
several days yet, sir" stanmered the
e-vant.
%'Indeed!"
Would you like something to eat,
sir?" suggested the servant.
Il arm hungry, and ah-ah'--
"Jenkinson, sir
Thanks. If you have something to
drink, Jenkinson. It's a trife raw out.
doors. And by the way, has any let
ter come for me lately?"
h was an excellent stroke of diplo-
macy on Mr.. Enjoys part. He was
dIlAlQuS 10 KNOW WIG he WAS. Inc az.
dress on the envelope would tell him.
"a letter came two or three days ago,
Sir, but We forwarded 1t Immediately to
Paris
Il must have missed it. How was it
addressed?"
Just F. NJ. Smith, the Grange. Cas-
tletown.' sir. l think it was an adver-
tisement."
Probably. I'll have supper here"
Yes. sir"
BY % the mex day Mr.. Finley had
in a large degree overcome the strange
ness of his situation. He no longer
had an almost ungovernable impulse
to gather to his bosom all the silver
the sideboard. and noiselessly fit
through the nearest window.
I would be an honest man were l
IN reality MI. Smith," he told himself,
running his hand carelessly over a
jeweled sword hilt that hung on the
wall.
But the sword hi1t held strong at
fractions not consistent with moral re-
form, and Mr.. Finley strolled out Of
doors and down the gravel path toward
the wrought-iron entrance gates.
Through the gates came a messenger
boy with an orange envelope in his
hand.
Good afternoon, my little man."
said Mr.. Emley.
" oAis Sdla lllS .OOys
You have a telegram? Mr.. Emley
open the envelope. The message
was from Paris, and read:
"Bad accident. Return In q MONTH
F. Smith,
sHurrah! Mr.. Finley, allow me the
pleasure of bidding you a long adieu!
Mr.. Smith, make yourself perfectly at
home for a month. and 1 think it's high
time you became acquainted with your
new neighbours"
Mr.. Smith proved an exceedingly
popular man.
The older men said he was "a good
fellow" and the younger men admired
Is, ran up bills. Altogether his path
was n of roses, and he went on his
way rejoicing.
1t was at a ball hat he met the
of1a in the case
And it was no wonder that under the
smile of fortune he forgot he was
wanted by the police of almost every
large town in the country. and walked
through the ballroom with head held
proudly erect.
It was thus that she first saw him.
Who is that?" she inquired Of a
friend.
.Where' Oh, that is Mr.. Smith. of
"oh, the Grange! Up there on the
Yes. Haven't you met him yet?
mo" h answered, looking c%uriously
ut him, II have not"
She was introduced to him as Miss
Lormer.
.She only got back from Paris a few
weeks ago, too" said the friend who
introduced them. How strange you
did not meet me over there, Mr..
Smith"
We'll. ah! Paris is rather a large
place, you know" said Mr.. Smith.
~ only came from London last night.
Have you been there long?"
The earnest eyes We're up1ifted, and
Mr.. Smith was glad he could tell the
truth.
mo, only a fortnight"
How u 1t must seem to you after
Paris, especially as you have no rela-
tives here, nor any n you know very
we'll"
Il don't find 1t dull now" he said
m~eaningly.
The gray eyes dropped, and the petals
OF the rose were cruelty mutiliated.
There was silence for a while.
The third week seemed hardly begun
ere 1t was finished. and he was gazing
with disnaay upon the unavoidable end
Ing OF his adventure. Another tele-
gram. announcing the exact date OF the
real Mr.. Smiths return, threw him into
q momentary whirlwind Of passion and
defiance.
II viii not give it up! 1 will mott"
But things finally r%eadjusted them
selves to their normal condition, and
Mr.. Smith was but a thin mask cover
ing Dick Finley, smartest burglar that
Scotland yard had ever Known.
IL have had my taste of high life,
and 1t has been perfect" he solilo-
quized, and the only thing to do now
is to gain some lasting benefit from it
a sort of interest on my money, as it
were
Castletown was an old little town,
and within it's narrow limits treasured
many priceless ancestral heirlooms.
Family relics were It's great distinction.
chief among these was silver. Ev-
cry housewife recognized in society had
her silverware heavy with age and
tradition.
It was strange no one had thought
OF a silverware exhibition before Mr..
Smith proposed one, but nobody had,
and the idea was hailed with delight.
Having proposed the plan, the very
least / can do" said Mr.. Smith, sis to
offer FOR exhibition the use Of my home
and my service"
As he owned many rare pieces of sill
verware himself, and the public at large
was curious to see the Interior Of his
new home. he vas gratefully thanked
and the offer accepted.
Two evenings this exhibition lasted,
and all Castletown turned out. The
affair was one of great social magni-
ihcence.
He had taken the nreca,tion Of hav.