Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-01-09

care a parcel which he called for early
the following morning-which parcel
was supposed to contain chalks-I be-
gan TO feel that tie case was develop
ing.
'Enery-did tell you his name wos
'Enery-Mr. Emery Talbot-lives
long way hoff," she said. 80, e sed,
wot'S the good of is luggin' his chalks
along with i'm hevery time? So e
just leaves 'em for me TO take care of
at the harea door of a night, and as
I'm up fust in the mornin' | gives 'em
i'm out again when e calls. But IL
amt so much to save ITSELF trouble
as to ave word with me as he does
it e as good as told me so last night.
though e is mighty particular about
his ole parcel all the same"
was beginning To- set interested in
that passel; though l am free to con-
feSS, that had l known, during the
three nights l had already passed un-
der Lord Cranthorpes roof, that his
hospitality had been extended by proxy
to articles in the possession of my
friend Number Three, my slumbers
would have been less childlike and
peaceful.
My foot was practically healed, and
l was only hanging on as Lord Gran
thorpe's guest for my own purposes.
But now that l knew that the base
ment of his lordship's house was be-
ing used as a sort of cloak room for
the storage of parcels containing a
deadly explosive, my natural delicacy
made me feel how very desirable it
was that l should not outstay my well
come, or trespass unduly upon my
hosts hospitality.
Hence l decided that the following
morning should witness my departure,
but as | preferred making my exit by
means of my legs rather than with the
assistance of dynamite, and as l pro-
posed moving only to the next street,
and notion this occasion at least
right away to the next world. came to
the conclusion that 1 should sleep more
peaceably if, before retiring to rest,
l could satisfy myself that on that par
tcular night, at all events, Mr. Henry
Talbot's parcel contained nothing more
dangerous than chalks. So, instead OF
hobbling of at nine o'clock into the
little room where my bed had been
prepared, | remained chatting with
Amelia By-and-by she began to get
fidgety, being, as I could see, impa-
tent for the moment when by carry
ing lighted candle three times past
the window, she could let her lover
know, according to the signal which
had been arranged between them, that
the other servants were at supper and
the coast clear.
The signal had scarcely been given
before there came a gentle tap at the
area door, and leaving me in the inner
room, hurried out Juliet-lize to greet
her Romeo.
Here's the parcel of chalks, pretty
one" | heard Mr.. Talbot say. Put
them away carefully for me, darling,
and III call for them as usual in the
morning"
Amelia had left the door leading into
the passage slightly ajar, so that had
been able to play the eavesdropper
without leaving my chair, which was
fortunate, for the next instant she
stepped coquettishly into the room with
brown paper parcel in her hand.
which she popped into an open drawer.
and then, with a saucy nod To- me.
popped out again.
Her lover seemed to be in a hurry
this particular evening, for heard
Amelia say, "Wot, you amt goin' yet?
Put down yer at and coat and give us
n kiss
Presumably the obedient Henry put
down his hat and coat as directed.
whereupon Amelia snatched them up
plaYully and running once more into
the room where | was sitting, threw
them upon chair, and returning TO
Henry said triumphantly:
There! you shan'L ave 'em back
again till you beave yerself. A nice
young man you are to walk out with
a sal, and never even want 10 give her
a Kiss"
That's soon put right" was the re-
ply, and from the sounds which reached
my ears, have cause TO suppose that
Henry was as good as his word. Pre-
sumably, however, preoccupation OF
some sort tended to make him less
amorous than usual on this occasion.
for when Amelia next spoke there was
a ring OF disappointment in her voice.
Dye call that a kiss? Why don't
yer give MS real 'ug?"
An ardent lover, when the object of
his alteration thus coyly capitulateS,
and gives him to understand that the
favorS she has 10 bestow are his for
the asking, might reasonably be eX-
pected to snatch her pasSionately to
himself, snd TO cover her lips, hair
and cheeks with burning kisses, but
Mr.. Talbot'S reply to Amelia's tempt
ing invitation consisted, Sc Ia, as |
could gather, of a mumbled protest
about having TO be going now.
Very well, Mr.. Emery Talbot"
snapped the sighted maiden, III give
you yer old parcel back and wish you
Sood-hevening; and perhaps you'll
find another young woman to walk out
with another time"
20 Lord love us, what lot you wom-