Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1913-01-24

image tat casual glance) SCrOlleu WIFI
bent head, black sombrero, spectacles
and frock coat first through the cold
corridors and presently along the
streets.
The heat Of the pavement striking to
his soles was the first of a hundred
exquisite sensations, but Stingaree did
not permit himself to SAVIOR one of
them. Indeed, he had his work cut out
to check the pace his heart dictated,
and it was by an admirable exercise
of the will that he wandered along,
deep to all appearance in a Camelot
classic, which he had found in the
criminologist's pocket, in reality blind
ed by the glasses, but all the more
vigilant out of the corners of his eyes.
A suburb was the scene of these
perambulations; had he but dared to
lift his face Stingaree might have
water, and his prison eyes hungered
for the sight, but he would not raise
his eyes so long as footsteps sounded
on the same pavement. By taking jul
dicious turnings, however, he drifted
into quiet road, with gray suburban
bungalows on one side and building
lots on the other, No steps approached.
He could look up at last. And the
very bungalow that he was passing
was shut up, yet furnished; the people
had merely gone away, servants and
all; he saw it at a glance from the
pouycpanorc cforinp tho windows
which caught the sun. In an instant
he was in the garden and in another he
had forced side gate leading by an
alley to backyard and kitchen door;
but for many minutes he went no fur
Their than this gate, behind which he
covered, prepared with excuses in
case he had already been observed.
1t was in this interval that Stingaree
recalled the season with thrill, for it
was Christmas week, and without
doubt the house would be empty till
the new year. Here was one port for
the storm that must follow his escape.
And a very pleasant port he found it
on entering, after due precautionary
delay.
Clearly the abode Of young married
people, the bungalow was fitted and
furnished with taste which appealed
almost painfully to Stingaree; the draw
ing room was draped in sheets, but the
walls carried a few good engravings,
some of which he remembered with
stab. It was the dressing room, how
ever, that he wanted, and the dressing
room made him rub his hands. The
dainty establishment had no more lux
uriOuS corner, what with the fitted
bath, circular shaving glass, packed
trOuSer press, a row of boots on trees
and a fine old wardrobe full of hanging
coats. Stingaree began by selecting
his suit, and it may have been his van
ity or strange longing to look for once
what he once had been. but he could
not resist the young mans excellent
evening clothes.
He had wallowed in the highly enam-
eled bath and was looking for towel
when he saw his head in the shaving
glass. He was dry enough before he
could think of anything else. There
was a dilemma, obvious yet unfore-
seen. That shaver head! Purple and
fine linen could not disguise the con-
vict's crop. A wig was the only hope.
But to wear a wig one must first try
it on-and let the perruquier call the
police The knot was Gordian, and
yet desperately as Stingaree sought
unravelment, he was at the same time
subconsciously as deep in a study of
scarcely known it for his own. 1t was
far leaner than of old, it was no longer
richly tanned, and the mouth called
louder than ever for a mustache. The
hair, what there was Of it, seemed
iron gray. 1t had certainly receded at
the temples. What pity while it was
about it
Stingaree clapped his hands. His
hunt for the razor was feverish, trem-
ulous. Such a young man must have
many razors. He had! He had!- Here
they were! Oh, young man blessed
among young men!
1t was quite dark when gentleman
in evening clothes, light overcoat and
opera hat sailed forth into the quiet
road. Quiet as it was, however, a
whistle blew as he trod the pavement,
and his hour or two of liberty seemed
at an end. His long term in prison
had mixed Shngaree's ideas of the old
country and the new. He had forgot
ten that it is the postmen who blow
the whistles in Australia. Yet this
postman stopped him on the spot.
BEG your pardon, sir, but if it's
quite convenient may / ask you for the
Christmas box you was kind enough to
promise me?"
Il think you are mistaking me for
some one else" said Stingaree.
why, SO l am, sir! 1 thought you
came out of Mr.. Brinton's house."
Sorry to disappoint you," said the
convict IF l only had change you
should have some of it in spite of your
k1I~