davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27

Il certainly am surprisedr aaid
MRS. Sanddinger Harry has always
oeen like ono OF the familyi He has
perfect manners and is SO Jolly and
he's not bit sentimental over Marvi
They're Just good friends who.vs
grown up together!"
DO you know how old Mary is7-
demanded her mother. Twenty her
last birthday"
Twenty" scofed Sanddinpsr
That's mere childI There are an.
tirely too many young men hanging
around here! I've been roine to
speak about that young Hinkle for
some time. He always acts as though
he supposed ] was glad to see him
gives me handshake that a promoter
might use when planning to steal
your eye teeth! ! don't like his atvIs;
And this Min pif- Birkirk-I'm goin.
right out now and call Mary mi She
can send him home"-
Samuel" said Mrs. Sanddinrer q,
cool. clear tones, you sit right whera
you are! I've Just decided what's ths
matter with you! Most fathers ara
that way. know mine was Tho
trouble with you Is that you're tnas
plain 1eaious!? That's 1t! You're zeal.
GUS for fear Mary will like some OF
them better than she does you! And
she wili-you can bank on that! 80
you might as well swallow your medi.
cine gracefully and retire 20 a hao-
seat! They're all perfectly An. go
lows and you're simply jealousv
I'm mott" growled Sanddirss
sinking back Into his chair. "The iSssi
say. It's fierce having q dauehts.
grow up"
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27
r. ON AMERY sat in ecstatlc con.

f" ON AMERY sat in ecstatlc con.
tentment On the rustic, ram.
: bler-shaded seat In the garden
Of Clematis Cottage.
The sun had set In riot Of red
over the smoke-wreathed roofs of the
transporting shipping town, leaving
In its twilit wake tho silyern evening
star; fllmy wisps OF haze settled on
the river below; the refitting yards
on the opposite bank had sunk to
silence; far down the river the bright,
blush lights Of the decks sprank into
being like magic stars
There were other reasons for
Toms contentment While the
nightingale in" tho silver birches on
the slope below throbbed out bars
Of liquid song his right arm was
round the slim waist of the almost
girlish widow to whom Clematis Cot
tage belonged.
For the second time in Ter short
life Winnie Lillywhite had consented
to yield her freedom into the hands
Of man. The banns had been "put
up" and duly called; the marriage
was to take place in two days from
now.
Winnie's first husband, Percy Lilly.
white, had had the double misfortune
to be an invertebrate ships steward.
and to possess an hereditary thirst.
In the words OF an old couplet:
HE lived on water whilst at sea;
On land he never touched IT."
When the news had come, four
years age. that after leaving his ship
Percy had been killed In railway
accident near Melbourne, she had
dutifully mourned him. bought
Clcmatis Cottage in the semi-rural
suburb OF Perleigh, and settled down
to a second spinsterhood-untilT Tom
came.
When the falling dew and increas.
ing chill cried cease to the heavenly
lovers meeting. Tom Amery did not
enter the house. but escorted by his
flnancee through the rose-arched
alley. passed out OF the white wicket
into the road. With the closed gate
between them their farewells took
long In the saying
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27
THE MAN in WHITLEY Vernon Ralston

aware OF q shadow over lunch. For
a moment felt that there had been
some tragedy In the kitchen. yet the
cooking seemed perfect. And then
realized that the gloom emanated
from Annie. She looked like lady
undertaken. or a woman who has
Just realized that she is voteless.
l pushed away my book-books
are allowed at the lunches which
Annie supervises-and said: What's
the trouble. Annie?"
1t is, know, indecorous, improper.
and lowering to converse with ser.
wants. but after all 1t is human.
Excuse me. sir. but it's John, SIR
He's missing. went to meet him
last night as usual, sir, and I'm sure
that wasn't more than twenty min.
utes late by the kitchen clock. and
waited till half.past nine. but he
never came"
"Ah." ! said, mo doubt he was
ouuoSuiy CdAicO upOu 10 WOTH OF6T-
time at his business, and dare not
risk offending his employer. He'll
write to you. expect. Annie. or e@se
you must ask your mistress for q
couple of hours off and run round
and see him."
"But don't know his address.
sir He always said that his mother
was 30 jealous Of all young women
that he daren't risk having them
hanging round-not that / was likely
to go where I wasn't wanted, sir.
He's got delicate chest, sir. That's
why he would never stay out very
late. and I'm SO afraid It's turned
to pneumonia and he'll be gone with.
out me knowing"
Don't worry" said, consolingly.
He'll turn up all right, else you'll
get letter"
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27
The Lost Papers x
n HR. HENRY FLUSHING, president
MI of the Hilton National Bank,
= and .Iohp Doeckar tbo 10,

n mr. HENRY FLUSHING, president
MI of the Hilton National Bank,
and John Doecker. the famous
private detective. were sitting In the
formers private office.
Then 1t Is your wish. Mr.. Fussing,
that the whole matter be kept secret,
no matter what we find out, and that
II Is to be kept entirely out of tho
hands of the police?"
Exactly" President Fussing re-
Piled. You must understand that I
do not wish 1t to become known that
1t Is possible for important papers to
disappear from my private office. 1t
would hurt the reputation Of the
bank"
'"I promise you 1 will act with the
utmost discretion"
II feel sure OF that, Mr.. Decker,
or I should never have spoken so
openly to you. But do you think you
will be able to recover the papers?"
"Of course can promise nothing
beforehand. but you may feel quite
sure / will do everything within my
power to get them back"
President Fussing was anything but
pleased. More than week had
passed since he had called tho detec-
tive. and still he had nothing from
him.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27

We'll. he never has written to me
yet sir. He always said that II by
chance letter went wrong and got
into his mothers hands!"
He's much too cautious a young
man to worry about, Annie. Cheer
up and forget about him. Perhaps
he'll turn up next week"
She frightened a little afterward,
and on the next Wednesday seemed
positively gay. However, on Thurs.
day the gloom had returned. l could
not ignore 1t.
Didn't you see him, Annie2" l
asked.
mo. sir, and l feel quite sure that
something terrible's happened to
him. I'm going to Madame Berthas
as soon as can get out. sir. It's
always comfort. sir. to know what
they've died Of"
"Who Is Madame Bertha?", I de.
manded.
she looks In a crystal ball. sir.
for shilling, and tells you all about
things"
Don't waste your money on any
such foolery," said. peremptorily.
mo, sir, certainly not. sir"
And, Annie" added. with
humane desire to give comfort, Il
have no doubt that your mistress will
give you an advance at the end Of
the MONTH"
The gloom continued for a day or
two and then there came a sudden
CLEAN Of brightness.
I'm glad to see things are all
right again. Annie" l said. you've
met him again. see."
mot exactly, sir, but I've heard OF
him. and that's the next best thing"
ooh, he's written. That's all
right"
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27
Settling Her Future
A STORY WITH
A PROBLEM.

the first place and his mother Is a sec.
father"
Harry Thompson" breathed Sand
ginger, dilating his nostrils and glar.
ing a. his wife as though he had de.
tected her In the act Of poisoning the
FAMILY. who Is Harry Thompson
that you should take his word as
eospei law In conducting the affairs
OF this household? I've never liked
the way his eyes are set, anyhow. and
the way his father acted In that law
suit was enough to stamp the whole
Thompson family as"--
~ hy I've heard you praisIne up
Harry many time!" protested Mrs.
Sanddinger in surprise. you ALWAYS
said he was such nice hoy when
he'd come over with messages from
his mother"
well: that was ten years aro"
said Sanddinger when he was a
mere child. You can't tell at ali how
a boy Is going to turn out when he's
thirteen and wears fioppy tic and
saint-like look. I've had NV sus.
picions OF Harry Thompson ever since
nos been hanging around SO much
the last few years ! wouldn't trust
MIN around the block. Why.
wouldn't be surprised to hear that
Harry THOMPSON had absconded with
all the banks funds. leaving a trail
OF weeping widows and orphans he
nind MIN! don't believe he's above
II at ALL"
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27

A DETECTIVE
TALE

IF do not get some word from
him to-day" he thought, II will be-
gin to doubt If he Is really as smart
as he Is thought"
Just then there was n knock ut the
door and a clerk entered.
There is man outside who says
he must see you. but he refuses TO
give his name"
Send him in"
An old man, evidently a sailor,
judging from his beard and weather
beaten face, entered tho presidents
office. AS soon as he was inside he
threw himself into a chair, placed his
feet upon another and began to I'LL
the air with smoke from an OBJ.
noxious pipe.
you wished to see me-" Fussing
said. obviously annoyed at the others
free and easy manners.
Yes, that's why come. ] want to
talk to you about some documents
you've lost"
about some documents?" Fussing
repeated.
Yves. here they are"
The skipper unbuttoned his great
coat and handed some papers to the
astonished bank president, whose face
became more and moro annoyed as
he examined them.
"They arc certainly the papers I
lost, but I must say am greatly sur.
prised to get them back in this man.
ner, when Decker had promised Sc
crecy"
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27

prepare her for It," counselled Jim,
for l see Perez Lillywhite myself,
'alf IN hour ago. He's putin up at
the Honest Lawyer. an / heard I'm
arst the landlord where certain
Mrs. Lillywhite was Twin what
come out OF town."
When he had seen Bowden safe IN
his shop, Tom Amery, sick at heart,
made his way buck to the inn. He
had never known Percy Lillywhite
in the flesh. but many time had he
glared surrepitiously at his portrait
in the embossed silver frame that
stood like sacred icon on the top
Of Winnie's plano.
Tom went In at the side door OF the
Honest Lawyer, and on into the pri.
vate room, which he was relieved to
find empty. Winterbank. the land.
lord, gave Tom queer look as he
took his order for small Bass
through a hatch in the wall, but said
nothing.
In the silence Toms hopes that Jim
Bowden had been fooling him re-.
vived; he slipped his drink in hopeful
meditation.
He had been sitting thus for q
space OF Ave minutes when the inner
door opened. A man In checks. evil
IDENTIFY guest Of the inn, came In.
gave an order through the hole in
the wall for glass Of ginger ale, and
took a seat at another table, but
facing Tom. at whom he looked as
though willing to open a CONVEX
sation. In the way of the returned
wanderer.
But Tom sat In q petrified silence;
for, by the portrait on Winnie's piano
at Ciematis Cottage. he recognized
the stranger as Percy Lillywhite. He
was /browner perhaps. and had a
close-clipped beard, but there was no
mistaking his face and lines in
general.
The two rivals sat thus for some
time; the stranger remarked about
the weather, then mentioned that he
had lived in Australia for some years
and had come home to see someone
living hereabouts.
This was bad news. Tom had al.
ways felt contempt for the Percy
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27

You should tell that to Doecker
himself"
In a wink he took off the beard.
his furrowed face smoothened and
Doecker himself stood revealed to the
surprised president.
Il beg your pardon, Mr.. Doecker,
I really did not recognize you in
that disguise" the president laughed.
Il should like to know how you dis
covered the papers and how they dis.
appeared from my office. Who stole
them?"
They were not stolen. And who
except to the bank? Immediately
saw that theft was out Of the ques-
ton so / concentrated my efforts to
find out who had been in your office
that day and carried away the papers
by mistake.
AT half past eleven that day you
received the papers and laid them on
your desk. During the next hour
three OF your employees were In here,
but I left them out Of considerat ton.
as none of them had probably been
close enough to the desk to get the
papers by mistake.
cat half past twelve you locked
your door to take your usual nap
that is to say. You wanted no one to
come in from the outside office BIO.
cause you expected n visit from lady
who always enters through tho door
over there"
"But how the deuce dId you find
that out?"
IAN wrong. then7"
mo. butt
"Yes. how find out things is ono
CopyriEht 10
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27

OF my secrets which never reveal.
but you may trust my discretion. The
lady you expected came In few min
utes early. and. as she Is perhaps a
little more inquisitive than the aver
age woman. you quickly turned the
papers on the desk face down.
When had got that far thought
my task was nearly finished. but dis
covered was following up q false
clue and had to continue my inves-
tigation. Half an hour later. when
the door to the office had already
been locked again, your wife came In
She had been caught In shower and
small parcel she was carrying had
got SO wet that while you were out
for moment she wrapped 1t UP in
what she thought to be couple Of
blank sheets OF writing paper on your
desk. In reality these papers were
the missing documents and you had
TO call me in to get. them back.
And now the papers are once moro
on your desk, little crumpled, hay-
ing been used MS wrapping paper"
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27

Tom glared fire. you promised
on your honor he Kissed fierce,v
under his breath.
The Vicar. perplexed, put down his
pen and faced the newcomer. WHO
are your" he demanded.
MY names Lillywhite, sir" was
the reply. "Tm this lady's"-
Tom Amery clapped a free hand
despairingly over the intruder's
mouth. Wretch! don't say it."
Lillywhlte stepped back a pace, and
went on
I'm this lady's brother.in-law," he
finished, casting smile at Tom. II
regret II I'm at all late for the cere.
mony, but come with a certificate
of my late brothers. death. in case
there should be any question, a false
report OF his being killed in rail-
way accident having obtained cur.
rency, 1t seems. The poor fellow
died at my farm twelve months ago."
When Winnie, with the aid OF the
vestry water-bottle, had recovered,
the ceremony been gone through,
and the registers signed with Garth
Lillywhite as principal witness. Tom
Amery invited him to return with
them to Clematis Cottage.
Since you ask me, I'm not break.
ing my world" grinned the Austral.
ian. ~ must give due return for
that money"
1t was in the front parlor, fragrant
with Summer flowers. that he handed
a sealed envelope to each Of the
happy pair. In Toms envelope we're
the notes with which he had bribed
Garth, supplemented by others OF
equal amount; Winnie's contained
paper to the value OF $500. her
brother-in-law's gift.
with all good Wishes" said Garth
simply. And when the honeymoon's
over. and you can descend to earthly
concerns, there's the matter came
home about to be settled. For Percy
made good while he stayed with me
Winnie; he worked like a true man
looking forward to day that, alas
never came for him! It's a proud
woman you'll be when you know
what he achieved for your sake"
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27
asked him

wears blue overalls. asked him
particular ii
"Well. keep your eyes open Tor
him and don't waste any more money
on Madame Bertha She might see
the man in white coming from a
steamer bearing treasure"
Then kindly providence took a
hand in the game. My wife detected
false entry in the milkman's book.
In spite Of his plea that the mistake
was caused by over-anxiety for
large wife and a larger family, my
Wife resolved on change, and
bought our milk elsewhere,
A week later ! passed couple
IN the dusk outside, and heard
the well-known voice OF Annie say.
Eyes, ten Is my time, bu, she never,
says a word so long as 1t isn't past
half-past. and she'll let it be eleven
If she knows I'm going to the theatre
with gentleman friend"
The next day Annie was refulgent
at lunch. u
II beg your pardon. sir. but /
thought you'd like to know that
everything Madame Bertha said has
come true. sir. It's the new milk.
man, sir. never thought Of It being
milkman till this week. sir; but
you see. sir, he always wears a white
smock because his employer thinks,
Sir, that It makes the milk look
cleaner"
And now Annie beams about the
house. ! fear that the milkman Ia
prospecting. owe him no grudge,
but trust that prosperity will creep
OIL him very slowly If surely, so that
we may keep Annie for years yet.
But when the light Of our kitchen
does leave us am prepared to wager
that Madame Bertha gets the largest
slice Of the wedding cake.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27

whether he had gone clear away, or
was lingering. in the throes Of long
deferred debauch, In the lower part
OF the shipping town across the river.
Tom had uncomfortable doubts.
The rumors let loose BY Jim
Bowden were iscredited-Tom took
good care OF that--and the morning
Of the wedding arrived. sunny and
full Of good omen.
Perleigh Parish Church Is a small,
simple. whitened.out fabric, with
tombs and brasseB dating from the
18th century. The vestry in the
southeas, corner is not big enough
to swing cat in-should the Vicar
ever find such recreation desirable
AS Tom ruminated while that
reverend gentleman opened the safe
and withdrew the duplicate registers
that were so rarely used a sprink.
ling of neighbors and friends formed
a meagre congregation in the body OF
the church.,
The bridegroom, spick and span in
his smooth black Sunday suit, had
truly stated his name and all the
particulars required by law; then
Winnie, child she looked in filmy
white. gave her name. her age ct
was only twenty-fve), and was on
the point of describing her condition
as widow. when the sound OF the iron
latch on the west door being lifted
echoed through the church.
Winnie. standing near the curtained
entrance from the chancel, woman.
like, could not resist peeping between
the hanging folds to see who the
newcomer might be. She paled, gave
a little scream. and collapsed into
Tom Amerys arms.
Holding her thus, the bridegroom
saw through the gap In the curtains:
and nearly dropped his burden.
Dressed in smart new clothes, a
carnatton in his buttonhole, Lilly.
white himself was stalking up the
aisle!
Tom Amery was shaking like a
birch leaf, his brow beaded with cold
dew, when Lillywhite pushed his
way into the CONSTRUCTED vestry and
bade a pleasant good.morning to all
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27

OF drunken memory; but Percy alive
and apparently Of sober habits was
another matter.
Any one I'm acquainted with.
wonder!" he ventured.
IA lady OF the name Lillywhite-
Mrs. Winifred Lillywhite." said the
returned prodigal
And who the devil may you be?"
demanded Tom unnecessarily, in his
wrath.
The amused twinkle in the others
eyes did not allay Toms irritation.
MY names Lillywhite. too," he
said. I'm her-her nearest relative,
though I'm not so sure she wants
to see me-"
The two antagonists looked into
each others eyes for a tense mo.
ment.
Good God!" exclaimed Tom, hold.
Ing himself In. $50 you've come
back to torture herl And we thought
you croaked and cremated these four
years"
I'm able to deny that!" said Lilly.
white with a grin.
And she drew your club money
and insurance." said Tom.
Good grill" retorted the unwel.
come stranger.
You're legally Dead" pursued
Tom. land you'll be liable to prose.
cution for fraud II you show upI"
You don't say SOL" returned Lilly.
white. That's how she came by
that cunning little cottage. !
shouldn't wonder"
You must go back to Australia"
said Tom.
Sea travel costs CASH." objected
Lillywhite glumly.
Work your way out, like you did
before" suggested Tom.
you seem to know all about met"
said the ex-steward caustically.
whats your name. may ask?"
MY names Amery-Tom Amery;
I'm coppersmith by trade!"
Then you're the happy bride.
groom! Congratulations" said Lilly.
white, with what sounded to Tom
like hooking laugh, as he held out
his hand.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27

He's not precisely written. Sir,
but know just what he's doing. 1
went to Madame Bertha, SIR"
Annie paused, remembering that
had strictly forbidden resort to this
modern warlock.
For moment thought OF re-
proving her for wasting her money
on frauds. but after all It was no
business Of mine how she spent her
wages.
And what did the wonderful
woman say. Annie?" l asked. curl.
ously.
She just looked in that crystal
ball Of hers and she saw such
things! She said there was money
coming to me shortly. You see. sir,
she knew was to get rise at the
end Of the month"
yes. yes" l said, with a twinge
Of conscience, as l remembered that
had not as yet suggested to my wife
that she should advance Annies
wages. / resolved that this predic
ton at any rate should be verified
And she said. sir. that John was
on the water. sir. She saw me dis.
tinctly meeting him at steamer with
his arms full Of treasure. 1t was
John right enough. sir. for she said
he was wearing pot hat, and that's
what John always wears. He can't
abide soft hats. Then she saw q
man in white standing by me. but
she couldn't say whether It was q
second husband or an angel watch.
ing. or a dead relation. though, OF
course. sir. there's nothing 10 pre-.
vent a dead relation being watch.
Ing angel. Is there, sir?"
reflected that this depended a
good deal on the quality Of the dead
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-27

relation, and then asked, did John
ever talk to you about going to the
colonies?"
mo. sir, not exactly. He talked
mostly about Margate. But he's just
the sort that would be likely to get
on in such places. And Madame
Bertha only charged me a shilling.
sir. though she said 1t was usual for
ladies who got good news to give
her another shilling. gave It her
and welcome she was to it."
We'll, Annie, should not go to
Madame Bertha again. You've got
your good news and paid for. 1t.
Don't try and get any more. It
might be bad news next time, and
she may charge half q crown extra
for bad news"
Certainly not, sir" said Annie,
and l have no doubt that for tho
moment she meant It.
For weeks Annie seemed more
cheerful. / noticed now and then
that the large atlas in my study
had been moved out OF It's place, and
argued from this that Annie had
been selecting colony for John.
However. at last the blow fell. !
noticed the flrst sign when Annie
came and called me to lunch when
was In the midst of a thrilling
episode and writing fast. Then
when got to lunch the plates were
cold and Annie actually dropped the
potatoes.
"Whatever's the matter with you
to-day?" inquired, trifle irritably.
III you please. Sir, It's all come
true--every word that Madame Der.
tina said. 1t was my day out yes.
terday. sir. and went up the river
to Hampton with my friend and hsr
young man. and gentleman friend