Smyrna times., 1907-03-27
Q 70 00 o Q oe o Q
Below Stairs ;;
By Will A. Page.
Copyright, 1907, by C. H. Sutcliffe.
By Will A. Page.
Copyright. 1907, by C. H. sutclire.
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Evans, the butler, was industriously
reading the newspaper out loud. On
the other side of the kitchen table Nor
timer, the coachman, was mending his
whip.
'The daring robbers then bundled up
| their booty and decamped," the POM
pous butler read very loudly, leaving
the detective officers baff1ed without a |
clew. AS there was no evidence that |
the doors had been forced or locks |
tampered 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.
81 say. Mortimer, old chap, that isn't
such a bad haul, is it? The paper
says they got away with $1,000 worth
of silver"
''What are you talking about?"
Talking about?' repeated Evans
disgusted. "Why, what else should
be talking about but the Ibig robbery
down the street at old man Walcott's
house?'
"Oh, I'm sorry. 1 didn't know you
were reading anything of importance"
81 should say it was of Importance
AS the servants there are suspected,
that naturally places us in an awkward
position"
"Whdt do you mean"
aren't we all servants? And if one
of the fashionable families takes up a
FAD don't all the other fashionable fam
lilies follow suit?''
Nonsense, Evans. You're an old
fool''
n Il tell you" persisted Evans, that If
u the Walcott servants are suspected OF
dishonesty the servants of every fash
ionable family in the city will have tC
clear their characters"
{. "Why, we are we'll known to The
missus. 1 have been with her sil
years, yet you dare And Mortimel
M M rose, fourishing his whip.
81 don't mean you," sneered Evans
M 'It's Miss Charlotte who is more like
. ly to be suspected"
~ Mortimer resisted the inclination t
" strike the fellow, though he was strong
M ly tempted. The doorbell sounding
" then, Evans, with a muttered impreca
ton, rushed to a small mirror hangin
on the kitchen wall, primped himsel
Tia and disappeared, bowling elaborately t
Charlotte, the maid newly come
service, who happened to be enterin
,-. the kitchen at that particular moment
''Now, then, you stupid" broke
- Charlotte, "you almost made me dro
~ the chinaware."
III Charlotte bowed, without speaking
III to Mortimer, who commenced to men
III the whip with redoubled anxiety. 81
III busted herself at the gas stove maxim
III chocolate and neither spoke a wol
for several moments. Then Eval
broke in hurriedly upon them.
"Its a detective" he cried, rushiI
III across the room toward the door whiC
led into the front basement. 81 see
II it ON the card he sent up to the missu
III ters;;' that's what the card said" 4
III opened the door into the basement.
III But what does he wantY' inquir
III Charlotte.
III That's just what I'm going to fiji
III out. There's furnace pipe in the
that is loose, and it opens right und
where the detective is sitting. l C
hear every word" And he disappear
into the cellar.
"rm afraid Mr.. Evans is not trC
bled by scruples, Mr.. Mortimer" Sc
Charlotte, turning to the gas sto
again. 81 always thought buffers
ii bad lot"
'I'm glad you think so," began Nj
timer.
E "Why. Mr.. Mortimer, what do J
/ meanT'
5 "Of course one can't be jealous o.
| butler" broke in Mortimer, dropp
: the whip.
: jealous? Well, l like thatr' wit
toss Of the head.
III Perhaps 1 shouldn't say jealor
continued Mortimer, abashed. It
III you see, l wanted to ask you
"WellY
-''if you'd spend your next even
out with me, unless you have sc
other engagement"
Next week, on Thursdayw s
- Charlotte coquettishly. mo, / d.
think l have anything on my card.
- "Then I'll put you down for 1
Thursday, Miss Charlotte. Thank
"Did you say it was for the gr
opera, Mr.. Mortimer?"
Inown NJ, MISS ShdllVlle, LUZ Tue GU
nyrna, mems ball.
make ..rrt ,1t,~,x,, to1ro,, 1870,
of the iHe eoaehnich pai lepe'
ounty, Charlotte enthusiastically. "Oh,
Il ,fd anu on jollyl I've always wanted to go
in the coachmen's ball. lists rather
ven y norn ,Dr elusive isn't it?'
x liq- ~"I should say so, answered Nj
!. 70 oolo De mer proudly "Only those who d
ra,,eo- - for fla xuoct and Families ara a1fpil