Year: 1871

chief will blow all over creation. Thunder
and guns My reputation is ruined. Don't
you put this in the Budget Thought it
don't matter much, as nobody reads it.
What the deuce did the blackguard mean
by his hang-dog skulkingP I believe he
has been sheep-stealing any way"


The major was excited


you're smart detective if you can't
see through the fellow said, not sorry
to take revenge upon him for spelling a
nice series of murder trial sensationals, for
the Budge!. "It's plain as the nose ON
your face; only it is y pity you have
blocked his little gamc.'


"Out with it, shall resign tomorrow"


"Well, then, it appears that this mag
unanimous young rascal was too generous to
restore Miss Gordons property by marry
ing her and making everybody happy-some
people enjoy being miserable-and as he
could only restore it in one other way he
chose this alternative and resolved to die
for her. Or what is much the same ap-
pear to die. He set his boat adrift upon
the lake and made his way to the city, in
serted the intelligence of his death in the
most popular sheet of the town and pro-
ceeded to secrete himself. Tho scheme
would have proved complete success but
for your untimely and obnoxious inter-
ference. Now this plan has failed l think
he will accept the other alternative"


"Confound the scamp, of course he
will ~


But if this is Britton, where is Grent-
ham, and what is he hiding for?"


"Ah my amateur detective is now at
fault" said the major frightening up
little. "Allow me to enlighten him. Mr..
Frank Grentham sailed for Liverpool on
the day after the Greyville tragedy. Tho
man who arrived at the Mountain House
late at night was the sheriff come to settle
little account with this young man on be-
half of his creditors. He wisely thought
discretion the better part of valor and
quietly absconded, took the Greyville stage
eight miles below the Mountain House, and
discreetly left the country. There's an item
for the Budget."


The major had conducted his case with
so much secrecy that no one but the chiefof
police could know the real euormity of hia
blunder, and az he was man of honor. he
never revealed it. Major Keene soon after
resigned his Office, with the satisfaction Of
knowing that this was the only official mis-
take he ever made, which was not so bad,
! since the wrong man was not hung. He
began to feel Ieconc led to the situation,
| when he came out of the Rnte-rOom and
looked upon the glowing faces Of the happy
pair, who had been so suddenly translated
from the depths of despair to the very
pinnacle OF bliss.


They were SO absorbed in the unutterabls
worship of each others gaze that our en-


"Why, Helen, don't you know have al
ways loved you?"


And she leaning nearer and looking.
archly into his face, replied
How could yOu expect me to know il,
when you never told me, Edward?"
A consumptive cough from the major
brought them to their senses, and checked
a mutual impulse toward some warmer
demonstration.


Brtton received us with gentlemanly
courtesy and expressed his gratitude for the
majors prompt interference in his behalf
in terms Of good-natured raillery.
! Idrew him aside to invoke his secrecy
upon the majors blunder, and he replied
with some little haughtiness that he 'com-
pretended the situation"
| Miss Gordon was all aflush with tremu-
lous happiness and could only cling to the
strong ann of her friend, who was now 80
much nearer than brother


A minute description Of the wedding fes-
tiviiies would no doubt be highly accept
able to my female readers of tender years
but that sort of thing does not come
within the sphere of my prosaic pen, but q
/ glowing account may lie found in the Bud
get of that date, done ty my irepiessibls
female reporter who is quite al fat in all
the uupronounCeable and incOmpTehensibla
te chnicalities of Paiisian bridal toilet


Mr.. and Mrs. Britton are pleased to con-
slider the major and me their most paitis-
ular friends, and we often dine with them
in quiet but magnificent way.


But If We want to see the major in a
furious lassion, We ask him ifhe everknevS
a man by tho name OF Wilkinson.


ES'- A snuff-taker's nose, gentsely blows,