The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1910-09-15

The shock almost stunned Bert.
Then he reflected grimly on his help.
lessness to grasp the opportunity
which had SO strangely sought him
out. It was only monetary aberra.
ton, but is cost him dear; for q
sneeze which he had been depressing
got the better of him. There was a
sharp exclamation, mixed with femi.
nine shrek. and Bert emerged to face
a badly-frightened girl. and red
faced. and very angry man. In dead
silence the two men glared at each
other; then the elder spoke.
THAT was most unfortunate
sneeze. my man." he said sharply. Il
suppose you realize that hiding in a
gentleman's room is a serious bust
ness?" Bert continuing silent. he
added impatiently: well. what have
you to say for yourself?"
Nothing" CURLY. "You won't be.
lieve me ii tell you that l had no
more intention of robbing these rooms
than you have"
"You do not underrate my creduli-
ty,;' returned the other grimly. Next
you'd probably be telling me that you
are friend of the man who owns
these rooms"
Bert returned his stern glance with
one Of assumed Indifference.
"You hold the trump, and will, of
course. dispose of me as you see fit"
be said colby He was rejecting
that what the other proposed might,
after all, prove the easiest way out
of difficulty. If Phil would only
delay coming little longer.
But the girl interposed. Her bright
eyes had not been idle, and she had
seen. what her father had failed to
see-that the ridiculous garb and con-
strained manner did not become the
young man.
why don't you let him go, papa?"
she suggested. "He does not look
like thief, really. And you can't
spare the time to appear against him."
Tut. my dear Annie! That's just
like woman. Because. rogue pos
sesses pair of speaking eyes he
must needs be innocent. We would
| be putting premium on robbery and
acting unfairly toward Mr.. Howard
besides, were we to let the fellow go
free. No; much as hate the fuss,
I'm going to call up the nearest po-
lice station" AS he reached for the
receiver the telephone bell rang.
In voluntarily, Bert stepped for
ward. "That call is for me. think"
he exclaimed. But Gordon Marsh, re-
ceiver in hand. waved him impatient
ly back.
Hello! Yes, this is Howard's stu.
do. No; I'm not Bert, whoever he
may be. What's that? Voice doesn't
sound like Bert's? Well, why should
It? Haven't just told you-(dash
the fellow! He rattles right on with
out the least regard to what say).
What's that? You met those people
ami they are not coming here today?
Yes, I'm listening. Go on"
A pause. Then he addressed his
daughter:
Howard, 1t appears, is waiting at
/
er, was by accident delivered to
some one else. And he declares that
If the young imp, his own words, my
dear. isn't back in five minutes he,
Howard, will return to his rooms and
swap clothes with the fellow Bert,
whom, he fondly believes-thanks to
his thickheadedness-he is addressing.
Bert seems to have some sort of ap-
pointment that must be kept-What's
that?" into the phone. Cant afford
to face old March in the buds of the
lamented Captain Binks." Aha! I
see light. No; of course, I'm not
Bert. Didn't try to tell you that in
the beginning? Who am I? Ha! Ha!
Come home and find out. Goodby."
Hanging up the receiver with a
crash, Gordon March turned to the as
founded Bert.
why under the sun didn't you tell
me that you are Robert Hillary?" he
demanded.
"You didn't ask me my name," the
young man reminded him coldly. His
temper was considerably damaged as
result Of the ridiculous position in
which he found himself.
"But why do find you hiding in
Towards rooms? And what Is all
this talk about clothes?" persisted
the other.
Bert, very red as to face, did the
only thing possible under the circum.
stances. When he had finished his
explanation Miss Annie March was
looking vastly relieved. Her father
seemed inclined to treat the whole
matter as joke. but something in
the young mans face checked his
mirth. He laid a fatherly hand on
the blue shoulder.
Bert. my boy, I'm afraid I've been
acting the part of an oflcious fool"
he exclaimed with that ready tact
which made him 80 popular with all
classes. But you'll own that was
| Justified. somewhat, in the suspicious,
which. believe me, heartily regret
My daughter. am sure, is delighted