The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1913-12-19

young couple, and / amt one to spoil
sport. If you want to skin out Just as
you are now, inside of sixty seconds,
l don't know but I might-look the
other way, see?"
We don't wish anything of the
kind said Miss Evangeline haughtily.
The young man merely stared; he
was evidently preparing speeches for
her father. Tom edged toward the
door.
We'll. l dunno as I need to wait,
then. Family rows is for the family
only, say. l done my job, and"
Hold up!" commanded the young
man. II wish you to stay Here!"
Three swift steps had taken Tom to
the front door. He clutched it open
and nearly landed in the arms of Miss
Eyangeline's mother and father. Their
portly presence left no loophole, even
for the thinnest. Directly behind him
was the young man, cutting of pas
sage to the dining-room window. Tom
clutched at his nerve and jerked out
q bow.
Thought I'd save you finding your
key, SIR" he said. II done my job
but the young folks is pretty mad"
When it comes to shadowing us
with detective, SIR the young man
began imposingly; then temper over
threw diction. I'm hanged il I'll
stand for it, he burst out.
Detective? Are you crazy?" he ex-
claimed.
Tom fell. back a step toward the
dining-room. "Oh, if you want to go
back on me, sir, amt nothing to say.
But stopped this here elopement and
I've earned my pay I'll call for it to-
morrow"
He achieved another step. Mr..
Whittimore seemed short of breath.
Elopement? Detective? Good
God. Vangy, never hired a detective
in my life. It's some internal blum
der."
We'll, here he is said Miss Evan
geline coldly. "If you will let us get
married, We'll overlook IT. Other
wise
She drew herself up, and Tom
achieved another step. The old gen.
tleman's temper began to show signs
of wear
Marry any one you please! But
for mercy's sake don't say L"
A scuffle and crash interrupted
A whirling heap on the floor resolved
itself into Tom Patterson on his back,
with Miss Evangeline's lover kneeling
on his chest, hand at his throat
Sorry to make a row." apologized
the young man breathlessly, but
caught on Just in time. He's a sneak
thief"
You seem to be "a fairly up-and
coming young fellow" stammered Mr.
Whittimore.
Look a here, Mr.. Whittimore,"
broke in Tom peaceably, you don't
want all this in the papers"
"All what, you scoundrel?'
'Elopement in the Four Hundred
Miss Evangeline Whittimore, daughter
of-see? Now you got the swag, you
got the girl; what more d'you want?
Outside a police court, | amt likely to
talk. You think about it."
His captors did think about it, with
dismayed faces. The two women on
the stairs exchanged Mortified glances
Mr. Whittimore pinched his chin,
scowled. sighed, then nodded heavily
Slowly and reluctantly. the last pocket
emptied. the young man arose from
Toms chest.
Two minutes later Mr.. Thomas Pat
tereon. hurrying through the dark,
smiled to himself as he inserted care
full fingers into remote crevasse of
his structure. where the contribution
from Mr. Whittimore's desk still
lurked in a compact wad.
They didn't know l had that he
reflected, but I guess I'll keep it for
hush money. Two hundred dollars is
more'n that young dude earns in an
evening, anyhow"
(Copyright Frank A. Munsey Coz