Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1909-10-01
A Missionary
Appropriation,
BY EDITH MORGAN WILLETT
Copyright, by J. B. Lippincott Coz

ley on Saturday night just as tn
clock in the waiting room struck nine
Clang went the brakes, out flew tn
mail bags and finally down the step
,, OF the end car came the passengers.
There were five in cadet uniform
, and the Burglar.
J No one, however, who was not pei
sonally acquainted with this last in
: dividual would have suspected an al
!, fist Of his profession in the spare
dapper, overcoated figure, carrying
suit case, who walked briskly up tn,
platform.
Past the waiting room he sped will
hurrying feet, for there was house
IN the neighborhood to pull off, with
In the next two hours and no time tt
lose
He had just let himself quickly ou
OF the station door and was Fastening
down the steps, grateful for their OBJ
security, when there came heavy foot
falls behind him and a hand was
suddenly clapped on his shoulder
| We'll! WE'LL" said loud cherry
y
never going to catch you!"
The Burglar faced about like shot
cycling, with growing alarm, the burly
individual in the fur overcoat
Detective" flashed through his
mind as he began stiffiy: Il think you
have the advantage of me- sir!'
"Of course l have!" laughed the
genial stranger, taking him warmly
by both hands. my dear sir, let me
assure you that you are very we'll
known character here and that Wheat
ley is delighted to get hold of you at
last"
Icy shivers crept clear down to the
| Burglars shoe laces at this ominous
declaration, while for moment near
prospects of Jail and handouts OBJ
scured his mental vision. Yet he
pulled himself together and, with a
last feeble attempt at dignity:
Look here!" he clustered, you've
| made mistake; let me go, please;
| I'm in hurry; friend is expecting
| me-"
But the other only smiled know
ingly.
That's all right" he said, "just let
me explain, sir. DR.. Delano hoped to
meet you himself at the train to take
you to the rectory, but circumstances
that is to say, measles in the fam
ily-made it impossible, so I am to
have the privilege Of entertaining you
during your stay here. My name is
BoylestOn - Josiah P Boyleston =
senior warden of All Angels Now,
Mr.. Swift" taking his bewildered vic
tim firmly by the arm, "just step this
way, sir. my teams waiting right
around the corner
Mr.. Swift" At this magic word a
sudden light dawned in the. Burglars
troubled brain. "Old party's spotted
the wrong cove" he told himself be-
tween gasps as he was hurried breath
lessly along the platform. Takes me
for pal; now how'm I going to get
out of this without fuss?'
At the corner of the station smart
mail phaeton was drawn up and
groom in livery stood at the horses
heads
Here, Smithers," Mr. Boyleston
called to that functionary, take this
gentleman's grip-well, sir" with a
genial smile, won't you step on
board?' His supposed guest hesitated
a moment
And, indeed, why not?" he argued
with himself with lightning rapidity.
An explanation would undoubtedly be
risky at this late hour, while-after
ail-the Davidge house could Just as
well be operated on another night. Be
sides, since the real Mr. Swift was
not on hand to be entertained, why
should not he, the Burglar, take adj
vantage of this tempting invitation?
So with almost instant decision he |
stepped nimbly into the trap and al |
lowed himself to be covered by the |
buffalo robe. His host took the lines. |
The groom swung himself up behind.
They were off at spanking trot. Be
fore them stretched a broad, asphalt
avenue. The lights of pretentious resi-
dences cleaned through the trees on
either side.
MY house amt block from the
church." Mr.. Boyleston informed his
guest smilingly, right handy for you,
sir
A bit mystified by this announce
ment, the Burglar nevertheless ac-
guessed, cycling the good man be-
side him critically from his astrakhan
10 fho oil |
it.
plain sort of customer was his
mental summing up. Not much on
polish, made his own pile-and pref
ty stable one, l guess"
well! Well! Here we are al
ready"
The Burglar peered sharply round
as the trap swung up a pebbled drive.
drawing up with a flourish beneath a
gigantic porte-cochete. Within, all
was blaze of lights, and the strange
guest, as he stumbled up the wide
marble steps, had foggy impression
Of red plush hall adorned with
palms, and then of a stout lady in
black silk and jet, who rushed to- q
wards him with Outstretched hands
I'm real glad to see you, SIR she
said heartily, "and l assure you it's
IN honor to welcome you to our
house."
Thank you, madam" he responded
my stay with you
promises to be one not only of pleas
Ire, but err" his voice shook, doubt
ess of profit to mel"
'My man will show you to your
ooln' SIR went on Mrs. Boyleston,
luch impressed by her visitors man
ers.
Dlnner's over, but We'll have a lit
e bite of something, Mr.. Swift, as
BON as you're ready, sir!"
When the Burglar at length found
lmself alone in the magnificent guest :