Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-08-11

time ago" she went on, ''and as |
entered the door | heard the sound of
a soft step. thought that Fitine had
come I'm before me. Strangely enough,
l did not even glance up at first but
stopped there by the door to arrange
those orchids While | was bending
above them a voice spoke Imagine
my start when | heard Il mans voice
saying, ! have stolen your handker-
chief | repressed scream and look
ed up TO recognize in this creature the
man whom | have lately employed as
my servant"
The man stood quietly before her
while she went on with her story.
The policemen kept n wary eye upon
him, but relaxed their grip as they saw
his submission.
"What came next on the programme,
mumI" the officer pursued
Il cried Base wretch" and seized
the whistle that summoned you. He
made no reply TO me, but sat down
calmly as II waiting TO be arrested"
And, faith, what did he do with the
handkerchiefT
He was putting it into his pocket at
the time he called my attention"
(which one"
The right waistcoat pocket"
Two great hands of the law prepared
10 search.
The man spoke gently, Don't trou
bic, gentlemen" he said. Il can get It
for you easier" One of his hands was
freed, and he produced an exquisite
. handkerchief of cobweblike lace. And
there's another thing l want TO do"
He started TO reach for a hip pocket
when a rough hand stopped his.
"None o. that" snarled the officer.
''Then I'll thank you to reach In that
pocket for me, sir"
The policeman did SO. There was no
revolver In ii. He gave q grunt of
chagrin.
ITS the money I'd like to have you
get out, SIR. amt armed. Please give
Mrs Van Worst $5 Thatll pay for the
little perfumery bottle | just broke
while l was getting the handkerchief"
Mrs. Van Worst stared IN astonish-
ment. Page was very unlike the bur
glars Of stor1ed fame You do not look
for courtesy from the man who robs
you, and she felt for the first time in
her life Ill at ease She was supposed
to be mistress of any situation. Her
own butler, a common thief, was baf-
ding her.
The policeman took five jingling dol
lars from the mans pocket and laid
them on the table.
Sure. and it's a polite burglar he Is,
mum" said he. THE judge II give him
q chance to show his manners at an
early date Well trouble We no more
now. mum. Good avenlh to ye"
AS the officers marched their victim
from the room he turned and spoke to
Mrs. Van Worst
II beg your pardon, ma'am, for the
trouble and scare I've given you, and
LIN much obliged to you for fixing 1t
all up for me so easy"
Leaving her to ponder this puzzling
remark. he disappeared with the Off
GERS.
From the light and warmth of the
luxurious house the three hurried into
the bleak rain without The patrol
wagon backed up to the sidewalk, its
step conveniently ready for the guest
The horses fidgeted impatiently The
restless driver changed his gong
Hustle up there, your politeness,"
Rrowled one Of the officers.
AS the man started to enter the wag
on he was met by Costello, a police
man who had been waiting on the
wagon.
"The divvil and allr cried Costello
'"Sure and it's Bill Page
Its me all right" answered the man
with friendly smile and entered the
wagon
Costello followed to act as guard, the
gong changed, the horses started Off
with dash, and the assembled small
boys scattered, their show being over.
Faith and I'd like to know what ye
mean by stalin' a handkerchiefY' said
Costello after the story had been told
"Bill Page nivver saw the insOide of
the station In his life for anything but
a dhrunk Why. you're honester than
a barrel OF good whisky"
didn't | make n pretty honest steal
Of itp Page said evasively.
"Ye made the quarest stale in all me
acquaintance. Afther takln' pleasure
In announcIn' to the lady that her
handkerchief was to your loikin' yc
sits peacefully down TO wait for us, with
an open window and fire escape be-
side ye. Did ye think ye'd wait for
an umbrella before venturin' forth in
the inclemencyW
Page lodged the questions good
temperedly. An hour later found him
housed In the station
1t was an astonishmcnt to every one
who knew him when it was told that
he had been stealing. He had been
known to the police for long time as
q topper, but no one dreamed that he
had any vice more serious than love
for the bottle He had paid the pen
atty OF being found drunk a number
OF times and was known to the force
as a thoroughly good fellow when
sober. Judge Marvin had given him
long sentence the last time hoping TO
work reform, and he had endeared
himself to everybody about the Jail,
where he was intrustcd with the care
of the flower beds.
The formaltics of another sentence
passed quickly. Page was strangely
cheerful about it all Judge Marvin
reprtmanded him severely, all the time
feeling that his words made no i'm