The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1908-12-19
A Boomerang.

MY daar," said Tom Weston to bis
wife, II have note this morning from
Jim Attcrbury asking an invitation for
his especial friend, the Hon. Donald
Chesterton, a younger son or some
thing OF British lord. Please send
him n bid"
Donald Chesterton! never heard
Mr.. Atterbury speak of having friends
among the British arlstocrncy."
The function referred to was large
dinner and cotillon to be given by
Mrs. Weston. Atterbury was Mr.. Wes4
toms bosom friend and was privileged
to ask of the Westons for what he
chose. The invitation was sent, and
bury brought his friend to the dinner.
Chesterton had mild blue eyes, soft
flaxen hair parted In the middle and
cameo cut smooth shaved face. He
wore the usual British monoclc.
"My friend Chcsterton," said After
bury, introducing him and at the same
time sapping him on the back famil-
larly, doesn't consider himself n la
dies man. He loves to roam, now
hunting in Chicago-beg pardon,
mean Africa-Tand now doing battle
with the clubbers of Philadelphia
mean the pirates of the Malay archi-
pelago."
whats the matter with your
tongue, JimT asked Weston. did
un tVN of hn ROT h
ment on your way overT'
Nothing the matter, assure you.
only wish TO say that, Chesterton
being more at home in the open than
shut up, even in a fine house. Mrs.
Weston had better take him under her
wing at dinner. He doesn't fly for
young ladies'"
There was considerable disappoint-
nent among the women guests that
the Hon. Mr.. Chesterton should have
been retained by the hostess. But that
lady gave out that, like many men of
the British nobility, the young man
was a sportsman and n mans man
rather than a woman's man. lie said
little and seemed to be keeping his
eye on his iutroducer as though he
didn't feel at ease OH American ground
and among American customs.
"Wake up, Chestorton," said After
bury from across the table. 1--WE
Americans, Of course, are Americans,
but we're not so dreadfully different
from your London smart set"
Chesterton forced smile, but looked
as IL he would prefer shooting lions
to being oggled by women. When
the dinner was over and the guests
were forming for the cotillon After
bury took pity on his protege.
fR"Chesterton." he said to Mrs. Yves.
ton, "hates the cotillon. You see, when
at home he's obliged TO do things he
doesn't like. He's danced so much
at balls In London that he doesn't
want any Of 1t in America. I'm going
to take him up into the den and let
him smoke"
The two men went upstairs. Later
Atterbury went down and asked II
Chesterton was dancing Chesterton,
he was told, had not come down At
terbury said Chesterton had left him
for moment some time before and
had not returned. The missing man
was not to be found. Atterbury seem
ed worried. He finally told Mrs. Wes-
ton that Chesterton, bored as he was
by social functions, had probably TAX
en- French leave. When the guests
were gone Atterbury took Weston
aside and said:
'Do you remember our talk some
months ago about the effect of dress
ON peoples appearanceT
"Yes."
"And / bet you hundred dollars
that before the winter was over I'd
palm off on you jail bird?'
"Yes."
"Well, I've done it,"
"How? WhenT
"This fellow Chesterton is no British
swell at all. His mug is in the rogues'
gallery. | brought him here expecting
TO keep an eye on him. Somehow or
another he managed to give me the
slip and"-
"Tom," called Mrs. Weston, "come
up hero at once. We've been robbed. :"
The two men looked at each other.
Atterbury turned pale. Weston's face
| changed from interest In the story to
Interest in what Mrs. Weston was
saying, then he ran upstairs.
When lie came down he found his
friend walking the floor. you've won
your bet, old man, but at considerable
cost. All the Jewelry that was In a
box on my wife's bureau drawer has
disappeared. 1t couldn't be replaced
for $1,000"
There was n constrained pause.
"Well," said Atterbury as soon as he
could recover from the shock, well
telephone the police. I'll mail you a
check tonight for $1,000. If the stun is
found you can return the amount"
The police were telephoned and soon
got on the track Of the Hon. Mr.. Ches-
terton, alias Foxy Pete, alias Zeb Nip
per and number of other aliases.
He was eventually caught and the
jewelry restored, Mr.. and Mrs. Wes-
ton went to see him In prison garb
and for some time would not believe
that he was the same man who looked
80 aristocratic In Atterbury's cast of
evening dress.
..NI l.