The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1907-12-27

There's nc mistake about that. It's
mine, all right enough. But what is
it doing in Il strange mans trunk:"
Maybe the photographer sold it to
him.
Maybe he did. auntie, but look on
the back: To the dearest sweetheart
in the world-Alice.' That picture
gave to Jack just after we were ell
gagged. The owner OF this trunk is q
common thief. and I'll report him to
the hotel management. Help me fix
my hair, auntie. l am going right to
the Office and have this matter adjust
ed at once"
Kean dropped off the car at Hot
Springs, sauntered up to the hotel and
went to his room. where he lit his pipe
and began walking the floor. A knock
at the door interrupted his thoughts,
and he opened it to let in the men with
his trunk.
That's not my trunk, you mutton
head! Get out of here with it,"
Marked with your name, sir, on the
tag. Just try your key and see if you
are sure it's wrong"
Kean took out his key ring, all the
while talking as he fitted the key in
the lock.
"Sure it's wrong! Why, you thick
headed chump, don't a man know his
own baggage? What is this-a hotel
or a batty house? Holy Noses" he
exclaimed as the key fitted and the
trunk opened upon a large photograph
of himself in a leather frame.
Gall right, boys. my mistake" he
added as he handed each man a dollar
bill.
Left alone. he picked up the photo.
graph and walked with it to the Win
dow, pinched himself to see if he was
alive. then laughed, then swore. Ex-
aiming the trunk, he realized it IA
not his, as he had no use for silk petit
coats and lingerie dresses.
"Ill keep this photo. all right. all
right. but the lady can have her trunk"
he unused as he made his way to the
office. The clerk smiled as he made
the complaint.
GONE right with me-, will you, Mr..
Kean? A lady just came down from
room All who. ! think, can explain
this mistake and give you your right
full belongings"
"All want is my trunk. I'm no
anxious to see the lady"
"But I'd rather you came along to
make it easier for me-" and kean fol
lowed in silence.
The clerks knock at the door of Al!
was answered by Come ill.," and they
entered.
"IIere is the gentleman whose trunk
you have and who can return yours
Miss Buckingham, ald"-
Billy
"A!ice!."
"Mr, kean!!'
"AIiss Buckingham"
Auatie. seemed to have something pri-
vate to say to the clerk, for she asked
him to step into the hall for Il moment
with her, thus leaving the two culprits
alone.
Alice looked like a wiltcd flower. and
tears came to her eyes. What could Il
man do. ever if it was not his fault,
even if be had taken a solemn oath
not to apologize? He reached out his
arms, and she slipped into their
embrace and cried just a few happy
tears on Il shoulder very dear to her.
please don't cry, Alice. Of course /
was to blame. 1t was nasty of me to-
tease you about that Benton girl; but.
really. dear, | only did 1T just to see
how much you cared"
"And l cared so much. But, Billy.
dear. how can you explain about those
trunks? My key opened yours"
easy enough, darling. We bought
those two trunks on that shopping en-
petition when auntie chaperoned us in
Paris at the Bon Marche, and evident
ly the locks were the same. We won't
have that trouble again, Alice. for the
next time we take a trip there will
only be one trunk for both of us.
Where is your ring, dear-consigned
to the ocean Or the ash barrel?"
ooh. Billy. you're horrid to find me
out! Here it is around my neck. You
see. I wrote you saying the engage
ment was all off, but ! kept the ring
just for a day Or two, you understand,
thinking m~aybe-oh. don't he so
meant"
well, I'll forgive you this time, but
don't take it off again until the plain
gold one goes on under it."
And she promised to do as he said.
Fooled Again.
The stout man opened the door of