Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-18


the paper. which he had seen and l had
not. Clever Presidio'
When Tommy, the hallboy. on the night
Of Mr. Hollis first Tenderloin assignment.
looking about the apartment to discover
the extent Of his loss found on a table
letter superinscribed Before sending for
the police, read this" He read:
Dear Mr., Darlington: Since we met in
Manila have been to about every coun-
try on top Of the earth where white
mans show could be worked. It's been
up and down. and down and up, the last
turn being down. In India l got some
sleight-of-hand tricks which are new to
this country; but here we land. wife and
me. broke. Nothing but our apparatus,
which we can't eat; and not able to use
il, because we are shy on dress clothes
demanded by the houses where could get
engagements. In that condition I hap
pened to see you on the street. and
thought to try a touch: and would. but
you might be sore over the little fun we
had in Manila. 1 heard in South Africa
that you wouldn't let the army ofiicers
start the police after me; and wife says
that was as square a deal as she ever
IL,
we will make forced loan. and repay out
of our salaries. We hooked our appa-
ratus to get me suit of clothes wnlch
looked something like those you wear. and
the rest was easy; finding out Tommy's
name and then coming him. I've taken
some clothes and jewelry, to make
front at the booking office, and some
cash. You should empty your pockets OF
loose cash; I found some in all your
clothes. Give me and wife chance,
and we will live straight after this and
remit on installment. You can get me
pinched easy, for we'll be playing the con-
tinuous circuit in week: but wife says
you won't squeal. and I'll take chances.
Yours sincerely as always, Presidto.
So Darlington told the superintendent
to drop the matter.
The Great Courvatals. monsieur and
madame, showed their new tricks to the
booking agent and secured a forty weeks
ENGAGEMENT at a salary which only Pre-
sidio's confidence could have asked.
Preside liked New York, and exploited
it in as many directions as possible. With
his new fashionable clothing and his
handsome face, he was admitted to re-
sorts of character his boldest dreams
had never before penetrated. He es-
pecially like the fine restaurants. None
so jocund. so frank and free as Preside
in ordering the best at the best places.
Mrs Preside did not accompany him:
she was enjoying the more poignant
pleasure Of shopping. with a responsible
theater manager as her reference! AT q
restaurant one midday. as Preside was
leisurely breakfasting. he became aware
that he was the object OF furtive obser-
walton by young lady seated with an
elderly companion at a table somewhat
removed. Furtive doings were In his line,
and he made a close study of the party,
never turning more than scant half-
face to do SO. The manner of the young
lady was puzzling. None so keen as Ere
sidio in reading expression. but hers he
could not understand. That she was not
trying to f1irt with him he decided prompt
~ and definitely; yet her looks were IN
tended to attract his attention. ana TO DO
so secretly. The elderly companion, when
the couple was leaving the restaurant,
stopped In the vestibule to allow an at
tendant to adjust her wrap. md Preside
seized that chance to pass close to the
young lady, moving as slowly as he dared
without seeming to be concerned In her
actions. Her head was averted. but Pre-
sidio distinctly heard her breathe. rather
than whisper. Pass by the house tomor-
row afternoon
Preside pondered. He was supposed
to know where her house was; he was
unwelcome to some one there; he was
mistaken for some one else-Carrington!
When he told his wife about 1t she was
in a fever of romantic excitement. Bruis-
ing knocks in the world. close approaches
to the shades of the prison house. hard
ships which would have banished ro-
nance from a nature less robustly ro-
mantle, had for Mrs. Preside but more
glowingly suffused with the tints of ro-
nance all life-but her own! "Mr. Car
rington has done us right, Willie she
declared; 'once in Manila. when we sim
ply had to get to Hongkong: and here.
where We wouldn't have had no show on
earth il he hadn't lent you the clothes
and cash for the start. There's something
doing here. Willie; and I'm all lit up with
excitement
Preside. who. of course. had followed
the young lady to LEARN where she lived,
passed the house the next day. the Sc
datest looking man on the sedate block.
Presently maid came from the house.
gave him reckoning nod, and hurried
on round the corner. There she slipped
him a note, saying as she walked on, Il
was to give you this. Mr.. Darlington
Preside took the note to his wife, and
she declared for opening 1t. 1t was seal
ed. and addressed to another person: but