The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1907-10-24

ward symbol OF their love. 4
It was with a light heart that he
seated himself in the train and spread
open the morning paper. Almost the
first thing that he saw was black
type head in which Sturgis' name was
mentioned. He read it eagerly.
News had been dull the day before,
and the editors had made the most of
the sensational abduction of the we'll
known clubman. The account was
padded to two columns, but the lead
ing facts were easily grasped. Sturgis
had been Wayla1d on his way home on
Friday evening. A cloth thrown over
his head had prevented his seeing his
captors, and after he had been hustled
into cab he remembered no more un-
til he came to his senses in a police
station forty-eight hours later.
One of the park policemen had found
him sitting on bench near secluded
drive and had come to the prompt con-
clusion that the man was intoxicated
When application Of the night stick
to the soles of his feet failed in it's usu-
al effect an ambulance had been called
and the man was removed to the police
station, where the surgeon had quickly
brought him to consciousness, pro-
nOuncing the case one Of opium poi
SOning
A suggestion was offered that per-
haps a visit to Chinatown had been
followed by overindulgence in opium
smoking, but Sturgis declared that he
had never been in the Chinese quarter
but was on his way to his apartments
after an evening at the club. He had
not had very large sum Of money on
his person, nor was it his custom to
carry large amounts at any time, so
that if the object was robbery the alb
ductors had Jared but badly.
The afternoon papers advanced a
new theory based upon Sturgis' slight
resemblance to the head of a large
trust company. 1t was argued that he
might have been mistaken for the
banker, and that it was the idea of the
abductors to hold the man for ransom.
Discovering their error, they had taken
the few dollars found in his clothes
and had turned him loose in the park.
Sturgis was the center of attraction
at the club that evening, and Bowen
was one of those who listened to his
story. 1t was late when he let himself
into his apartment, but Namoto was
up awaiting him.
'YOu had a nice time?' he asked
when Bowen was established by the
window for his good night cigar.
"Fine," said Bowen, wondering at
the question.
''You will be married soon?' demand
ed Namoto.
Bowen stared. What could Namoto
know about Bess? Then he remember
ed his conversation with Mosby. Ma
motto, in the adjoining room, must have
heard them. He was so unobtrusive
that Bowen had forgotten his presence.
II will be married in the fall" said
Bowen. 'Mr. Mosby wants you to go
to him Them
Il got housekeeping account" said
Namoto irrelevantly, presenting a slip
Of paper. It was their custom to have
settlement every Monday.
Look here!' called Bowen. "You
have made mistake. You have
charged the rent to blacking."
II have not paid the rent said Ma
motto. ~ bought blacking"
1.-TWO hundred dollars worth Of
blacking?" gasped Bowen. Namoto
nodded.
1.-TWO hundred dollars" he assured.
"Chinese backing. Very good backing
indeed'
The stolid face did not change in ex-
preston as Bowen stared, and Namoto
repeated the explanation. Bowen gasp
ed. Namoto had also overheard his
wish that Sturgis should not be at
Bayport over Sunday and had engaged
Chinese tong to abduct Sturgis.
Gravely Bowen counted out the re-
quired sum and added another hun
dred.
1T was we'll done," he said gravely,
''but buy no more blacking."
Namoto reflled Bowen's empty glass.
mo more will be needed he said
placidly. II am glad you approve"
Bowen stared after the retreating
form. "Gee," he whispered to himself,
I'm glad I didn't tell Mosby that I
wished that Sturgis was dead"
Press Freedom.