Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1910-03-11
A Missionary
Appropriation
By EDITH MORGAN wILLET7
Copyright. by J. b. Lippincott Coz

into the trim little station at Wheat
ley on Saturday night just as the
clock in the waiting room struck nine.
Clang went the brakes, out flew the
mail bags and finally down the steps
of the end car came the passengers.
There were five in cadet uniforms
and the Burglar.
No one, however, who was not per.
sonally acquainted with this last In
dividual would have suspected an ar
fist of his profession in the spare,
dapper, overloaded figure, carrying a
suit case, who walked briskly up the
platform.
Past the waiting room he sped with
hurrying feet, for there was a house
in the neighborhood to pull off" with
in the next two hours and no time to
lose.
He had just let himself quickly out
of the station door and was Fastening
down the steps, grateful for their OBJ
security, when there came heavy foot
falls behind him and hand was
suddenly clapped on his shoulder.
well! Well" said a loud, cherry
voice, here you are! l thought was
never going to catch you'll"
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 stifiiy: 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 a mistake; let me go, please;
I'm in a 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 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"
sudden light dawned in the Burglar S
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 a pal; now how'm going to get
out of this without a fuss?"
At the corner of the station smart
mail phaeton was drawn up and a
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
all-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 ad-
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 a block from the
church," Mr. Boyleston informed his
guest smilingly, right handy for you,
sir"
A bit mystifed by this announce
+ha
quiesced, cycling the good man be-
side him critically from his astrakhan
overcoat to the jolly red face sur
mounting it.
plain sort of customer" was his
mental summing up. mot much on
polish, made his own pile-and a pref
ty stable one, guess"
4"Well! Well! Here we are al
ready"
The Burglar peered sharply round
as the trap swung up pebbled drive,
drawing up with flourish beneath a
gigantic porte-cochete. Within, all
was a 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-
wards him with outstretched hands.
I'm real glad to see you, sir" she
said heartily, "and I assure you it's
an honor to welcome you to our
house"
II 10 10 !
appropriately. MY stay with you
promises to be one not only of pleas
ure, but err" his voice shook, doubt
less of profit to mel"
my man will show you to your