Los Angeles herald., 1907-08-04

way" added Thad, perceiving that he hat
produced even more than the desired lmpres
sion, because anybody can see that you don
know very much"
This remark might have been resented on Q
different occasion. Thad had an objectionably
superior air; but it was forgiven now, on &C
count of the comfort which it conveyed.
-, If they really belong to YOU" continued
Thad, II think you might sell them at a
handsome profit"
Thad thought much of handsome profit
Phineas and Mary Olive were conscious that
he felt an unwonted respect for them. in view
of this possibility. 1t was possible that it
might also impress Aunt Mira.
You can't go round with the organ and
monkey" remarked Tbad, meditatively.
Phineas admitted that that seemed imprac-
ticable, owing to the weight of the organ.
Mary Olive and he had talked the matter
over, coming reluctantly to that conclusion 1t
had seemed to offer way out of their diff
culties, and Mary Olive, at least. was sure
that there could be no more delightful career
in life.
Thad wasn't at all sure that it was not their
duty to tell the sheriff all about the matter.
II the sheriff knew about it Aunt Mira would
knew, for the sheriff was Miss Meacham's
brother-in-law..
Mary Olive said almost tearfully, that it
up the very first thing, and she was always
going to, after this; but Phineas, although
he felt his present strait keenly, declined to
commit himself to any such heroic resolve.
Early next morning Miss Meacham ran in,
with her apron over her head, to report that
the escaped convict had been captured at
twelve miles away, but minus the
organ and monkey, which had been seen in his
possession On the outskirts of Alderville.
''Of course it don't matter much what's be-
Miss Meacham, ''but nobody can make me be
cvc that | didn't hear hand-organ playing
Annie Laurie yesterday forenoon"
Perhaps il was fortunate that the new min
stcr and his wife were coming to tea, for
Aunt Mira had keen eyes for guilty looks.
md scented mystery from afar; but now
;he was wholly absorbed in hospitabe prepare
ions.
She was SO anxious about her chicken salad,
hat she allowed Mary Olive to cut the Jelly
AXE, and did not for a moment suspect that
lnything had befallen it during it's sojourn
,oldened by this escape as to make plans for
iaving show with the monkey and Tommy |
1rench's guinea pig, While he ate his supper
n vrtuous silence, and with his gaze carefully
verted from the fascinating excrescence on
he new minister's forehead.
But just as Aunt Mira was pouring the
minister's second cup of tea, there came a
ushing noise of small whirlwind, from
he region of the woodshed
1t advanced rapidly through the kitchen, and
nto the dining room rushed huge black cat,
fistling in every hair, and emitting furious
rowls and Kisses. and clnging to its tail,
little, lean. wzened, brown monkey.
As soon as the monkey espied the table, he |
orsook the cat and leaped upon it, in close |
proximity to the minister's wife, who came
o near to fainting that Aunt Mira ran for
urnt feathers.
Aunt Mira herself was in state of ex-
RENE agitation and dismay. She said she
was sure she didn't know where that mon
ey could have come from, unless it was out
t the woods"
"The-the woods are full of emf said |
'hineas, with a desperate sense of finging
ncrality to the winds, in the effort to escape