The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1907-10-05

And too crippled TO be able TO come
down himself, he had sent his nephew
in his stead to offer his services to
the ladies', and to stay in their house
If they would permit it-as long as
they needed a mans assistance. or
until the burglar and incendiary should
be caught.
1t is very thoughtful and kind of
your uncle said Angelot; but he did
not know that | was here"
The young nan looked at her with
amusement in his eyes. "Of course
not, and perfectly understand that
my services are not needed-now.
Still, may | ask if you will kindly de-
liver my uncle's messenger"
Most Willingly" said Angelot.
In the silence which followed her
departure he could hear a faint voice
overhead saying: "Who is it An
gelot?"
My lord, the ambassador" the
girls gay voice replied. Then he
caught no more except once when he
thought he heard the mad words, Gu
pid's messenger"
Five minutes elapsed before Angelot
returned. There was a queer. bewild-
cred expression on her face, though
her eyes danced merrily.
MY lord" she began, but checked
herself with a little laugh. Mr.. Per-
cival Lestrange, | mean am hidden
to tell you that my Aunt Penelope
not only appreciates the thoughtful
kindness of your uncle-her old friend
John Delaney, whom she regrets to
hear is so far from well-but she &C
eepts you for his substitute and will
be glad of your presence and protec-
ton for a night or two, at least And
had no idea until just this minute
that Aunt Pens nerves had so entire
ly gone to pieces" Angelot ended quite
simply.
You must get a detective and clear
up this affair to the entire satisfac-
ton of my aunts-or they will never
close their eyes again at night so long
as they liye!" she said. They i'm
agine it a plot against their property
and personal safety hnt ! think rs
something quite different. can give
you the clue, but you must follow it
up and convince them with indisputa-
bic proofs
She then RECALLED him with a piquant
story of poor Bridget's handsome,
nice young man.
Percival Lestrange's stay at the Vel
low Cucumber vas five nights in dura-
ton. And to Angelot's amusement il
was an evident relief to the minds Of
Miss Penelope and Miss Anne to have
him there. They made no stranger of
him-was he not John Delancey's
nephew? And after all, it was a com
fort, Miss Penelope reluctantly admit
ted, to feel that there was a man
in the house at night. At least she
could go to bed and sleep without be-
ing in fear of life.
On the fifth evening Percival Lee
strange brought in the detective, who
had gathered conclusive evidence
against the suspected party. Ange-
lots Intuition had been correct. Act
ing on her suggestion, the doings Of
Bridget's nice young man" had been
investigated, and it was found that on
the night of the burglary and fire he
had left the place on the midnight
train, and the following day had been
married to a young woman in an ad-
Joining town. He not only seemed to
have plenty of money and was spend
ing 1t ~recklessly, but he had given his
buxom bride a handsome dress and
cloak-the fac-simile Of Bridget's
missing garments, and several trink-
cts and bits of jewelry, including a
watch and chain, all exactly answer
ing the description of Bridget's a n
ished treasures.
Poor Bridget, unconvinced till then.
wept loudly when the extent of her
lovers treachery had been revealed
to her.
And now that the mystery had been
solved and the ladies' minds set at
ease, Percival Lestrange felt that he
had no further excus for prolonging
his stay. John Delaney had sufficient
ly recovered to drive over the next
morning and make a call upon the
ladies, and Percival had been quick to
note the little flush on Miss Penelope's
cheek when she welcomed her old ad-
mirer as he came in, leaning heavily
his nephew's arm, and he knew
well how to interpret his uncle's I'M
usual courtliness of manner. He
caught himself wondering If time and
circumstances could aver change him
into an Uncle John-and saucy Ange-
into a likeness of her Aunt Pen.
but he smiled at the odd fancy and de-
cided Immediately against it.
And so an hour later when the uncle
took his departure the nephew went
with him; and the daily life at the
Yellow Cucumber took on its normal
Poor Bridget was beginning to feel
that there was no such fool as an old
fool and that 1t had been ridiculous