The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-08-26

more. But he didn It say a word about
the stolen kiss, for which I think none
the less of him.
"Who wore the women?' asked.
|. He looked at me for space, as if
deciding. Finally he made negative
sign.
"Don't know who they were, eh9''
He shrugged, laughed and drew on
II always knew that I was the
iackass Of the family, Chuck, but ]
never expected to do it so we'll. Let Is
get out Of this hole. I wonder who
can have paid that fine. \ = No
that would not be possible!'
'"What would not be9'
"Nothing, nothing, ''-laughing.
But I could see that his spirits had
gone up several degrees.
the evening papers, said. He needed
little worrying. And I knew his hor.
ror of publicity.
"The newspapers In the newspa-
pers? Oh, say, Chuck, can It you, use
your influence to suppress the thing
Think of the girls.
III do the best I can. And there s
only one thing for you to do, and that
is to cut out Of town till your beard has
grown 1t would serve you right, how
ever fyer : i if the reporters got the true
II IN for getting out Of town.
Chuck; and on the next train but one. -
Here our conversation was inter
rupted by the entrance Of policeman.
IA note for Mister Osborne, ''-iron-
ically. He tossed the letter to War
burton and withdrew.
Mister Osborne eagerly tore open an
end of the envelope-a very aristocrat-
ic envelope, as I could readily discern
and extracted the letter. [ closely
watched his facial expressions. First,
there was interest, then surprise, to pc
succeeded by amusement and certain
exultation. He slapped his thigh,
"Do it? Now what?'
''Listen' to this He cleared his
throat, shifted of the family scented
paper and cleared his throat again. He
looked up at me drolly.
"Well9" said I, impatiently: I was
read f. I Believed that the mystery
was about to be solved.
James Osborne, Sir: I have
been thinking the matter over serious
ly, and have come to the conclusion
that there may have been a mistake.
to blame. I have discharged him for
neglecting his post Of duty. I distinctly
recall the manner in which you handled
the horses last night. 1t may be posi-
BILE that they ran away with you. How
ever that may be, find myself in need
Of a groom. Your horsemanship saved
us from q serious accident. If you will
promise to let whisky alone, besides
bringing me recommendation, and are
without engagement, call at the inclosed
address this afternoon at 3 o'clock. |
should be willing to pay as much as $40
a month. You would be expected to
"She must have paid the fne," said
7. "Well, it beats anything I ever
heard of. Had you arrested, and
now wants to employ you! What name
did you say?' I asked carelessly:.
II didn't say any name, Chuck =
smiling. "And m not going to give
any, you old duffserr;'
"And why not?'
"For the one and simple reason that
I am going to accept the position -
with GOODNESS that staggered me.
"What9' I bawled. .-
"sure as life, as the policeman said
last night
"You silly ass, you! Do you want to
make the family a laughing stock all
over town. was really angry.
"Neither the family nor the town
will know anything about Tim
: "But you will be recognized! re-
monstrated. "It's clear case Of in
sanity, after what has just happened
'sI promise not to drink any whisky"
-soberly.
''Not the littlest bit, Chuck. I've
worn a beard for two years. No one
would recognize me. Besides, being a
groom. no one would pay any particular
attention to me. Get the point7''
tBut what under the sun is your OBJ
iect9n I demanded: "There's some
thing back of all this. It's not sim
pie lark like last night It's
ttPerspicacious mani railingly
Possibly you may be right. Chuck,
you know that I we just got to be doing
something. I've been INACTIVE too long.
I am ashamed to say THAI I should tire
of the house in a week or less. Change,
change, Of air, Of place, Of occupation;
change must have it. It's food and
drink
"You We met this woman before,
somewhere
1T neither acknowledge nor deny. It
will be very novel. shall be busy from
morning till night. Think of the fun
of meeting persons whom you know, but
who do not know you. ] wouldn It give
M this chance for any amount of