Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1907-04-25


whip.
"The daring robbers then bundled up
their booty and decamped, the pom
nous butler read very loudly, leaving
| the detective officers bat!led without
c!cw. As there was no evidence that
| the doors had been forced or locks
hammered with. the detectives were at
| first inclined to suspect the servants.
but as Mr. Walcott declared he had the
utmost faith in them the police were
| not allowed To search their rooms.
Mortimer, oblivious of the newspaper
item. did not reply when Evans stop
ped reading as though expecting some
comment
II say. Mortimer. old chap, that isn't
such bad haul Is it? The paper
saws they got away with $1,000 worth
of silver"
| Dad haul" qucried Mortimer.
syyhat are you talking about
| "TaIking about repeated Erdns,
| disguised WIZ, what else should |
| be talking about but the big robbery
| down the street at old man Nalcotts
| house"
| "Oh. I'm sorry. | didn't know you
were reading anything of Importance
Il should say it was OF Importance.
| As the servants there are suspected,
that naturally places us in an awkward
| position
| what do you moan!
aren't we all servants? And if one
of the fashionable families takes up a
fad don't ali the other fashionable fam
| lilies follow suit"
Nonsense. Evans. You're an old
| fool"
Il tell you" persisted Evans. that IL
| the Walcott servants are suspected or
| dishonesty the servants Of every fash
| ionable family in the city will have 10
clear their characters"
| "Why. we are wen known to the
missus | have been with her six
years, yet you dare And Mortimer
rose, fourishing his whip.
Il don't mean you" sneered Evans.
ITS Miss Charlotte who is more like
| ly to be suspected"
| Mortimer resisted The inclination 10
| strike the fellow, though he was strong
| ly tempted. The doorbell sounding
| then, Evans. with Il muttered impreca-
| ton, rushed to Il small mirror hanging
| ON the kitchen wall, primped himself
and disappeared, bowling elaborately TO
| Charlotte, the maid newly come 10
service, who happened to be entering
the kitchen at that particular moment.
| Nov, then, YOU stupid broke in
| Charlotte. you almost made me drop
| the chinaWare'
| Charlotte bowed, without speaking.
| to Mortimer. who commenced to mend
the whip with redoubled anxiety. she
busted herself at the gas stove making
chocolate, and neither spoke word
for several moments Then Evans
| broke in hurrledly upon them.
| TITS Il detective" he cried. rushing
| across the room toward the door which
| led into the front basement. Il seen
1t on the card he sent up TO the missus.
| "A. l.. Walker, Detective Headquar-
ters;' that's what the card said" He
| opened the door into the basement.
| But what does he want?" inquired
| Charlotte.
| That's just what I'm going to find
| out. There's furnace pipe in there
| that Is loose, and it opens right under
| where the detective is sitting | can
| hear every word" And he disappeared
| into the cellar.
I'm afraid Mr.. Evans is not trou-
bled by scruples, Mr.. Mortimer" said
| Charlotte, turning to the gas stove
| again. Il always thought buffers
| bad lot"
I'm glad you think So" began Nor
| timer.
why Mr.. Mortimer, what do you
mean?"
"Of course one can't be jealous of a
butler" broke in Mortimer, dropping
| the whip.
"Jealous? Well, like thatr' with
toss OF the head
, Perhaps | shonldnt say Jealous"
continued Mortimer. abashed But.
| YOU see, | wanted to ask you
| "Well?"
IF you'd spend your next evening
out with me unless you have some
other engagement"
Next week. on ThuIsday?' said
Charlotte coquettiShly NO, don't
think have anything on my card"
Then I'll put you down for next
Thursday. Miss Charlotte. Thanks!"
did you say il was for the grand
opera, Mr.. Mortimer?'
NO, Miss Charlotte; for the coach
mems ball"
The coachmeu's ballf repeated
Charlotte enthusiastically oh how
jolly I've always wanted 10 20 to n
coaehmen's BAN. lists rather ex-
elusive, isn't it,"
4 should say So" answered Morti-
mer proudly only those who drive
for the west end familles arc eligible"
The sudden boiling over Of the mix
interrupted these pleasant anticipa.
tons of future happiness, ana Norti-
mer was dispatched posthuste TO the
dining room 70 secure some chocolate.
Charlotte, left alone reached for bor
handkerchief and found letter IN the
pocket Of her apron Evidently she
was deeply Interested. for sha read
and reread the letter. SayaraJ +f,,,oa