Year: 1870

bout him often, and do believe that man
was telling the truth.


''Pooh ~ said Ben, incredulously,
such story is easily manufactured; it is
very natural for people to have brothers,
and | suppose that was the first idea that
presented itself. -


well" l replied, my conviction grow
ing stronger from opposition you must
go with me to the station-h house to NOR
row morning and if | can identify this man
as Mr. Esselton, from the photograph that
Mrs. Beverley has shown me, of course
they will let him go. As | have gotten
him into scrape, the least l can do, if
he i, Innocent, is to get him out again.


''Well, go to bed now" said Ben, whose
thoughts reverted to first principles, and
talk about the station house to morrow.


Lets 20 to bed.


Said sleepy head, )"


was my retort hut Ben was in earnest,
this time, and to bed we accordingly went.
[ was visited by such troubled dreams,
though, in which Mrs. Beverley's brother
climbed into ou window, and tried to
strange me, that l gladly welcomed the
morning sun.


gave Ben no peace until he had agreed
to accompany me to.the station house and
packing up my head and face in a double
green veil, [ started bravely for the scene
of action


The premises were not inviting; and Sc



bout awaiting their sentence. Sitting bolt
upright IN very uncomfortable chair. with
an air OF injured innocence. was an extreme
ly handsome. gentlemanly- looking young
man, whose features seemed familiar


''The burglar, whispered Ben, by way
Of introduction


''Oh Ben - exclaimed, quite conscience
snitten, do make them let HIM go ! | am
sure he is Mrs. Beverley brother -


Does he look like the portrait ?'' asked
Ben with considerable interest.


Yes, ~ Ireplied, scarcely daring to look,
Il am almost sure j, is the same face. But
let me get outside, and then tell them that
we made mistake -


did not know what was passing inside,
b ut my face burned painfully and when
Ben joined me, | walked away at race.
horse pace.


That was great idea of yours" said
my brother laughing, and placed me in
rather queer position = just the next
thing to apologizing to a man for shoot
ing him because you took him for some one
else He really is nice fellow, though,
and shook my hand as greatefully as though
| had never disturbed his slumbers. He
said that, in future, he would never enter
his own home unless he could go in through
the door, and at an orthodox hour. He is
coming back with his sister in the autumn,
and then l hope we shall see something of
Kim"


s.I never wish to see nor hear of him a
gain 2" said | wrathfully, 'and | only wish
he would go somewhere among the canni-
balls, and be eaten up as soon he landed -


Ben offered me his knife in default of
tehpenny nail but the condition at which
had arrived demanded a two hours crying
in my room, before was sufficiently COM
posed to tske up the burden of the day.


Of course, | wrote Immediately to Mrs
Beverley, telling her of my ridiculous mis-
take and intense modification, and beg
ging her to explain to her brother just how
it had all happened and | soon received a
reply that was characteristic of her own
sweet SELF


IF could put good, hearty laugh on
paper, she wrote, you should certainly
have it as some faint representation of the
cachinnations of Harry and myself over
your proceedings To think that one whom
| have always looked upon as a we'll dispos.
ed young lady, should make such an unpro-
voked attack upon such an inoffensive young
man, and actually lodge him in the station
house oh, Minnie Minnie | could
not have believed it ofyou


But, seriously, my dear child. beg
that instead of giving yourself any un-
easiness, you will accept my greatful thanks
for watching my premises so faithfully and
you certainly had every reason to suppose
that man who would enter my window at
two clock in the morning, could not pos
sibly be respectable member of society
/ really did send him, though, to spend the
night there, and to get some valuable pa
pcrs and told him, moreover, how to un-
fasten the window. Harry seems far more
impressed with your kindness in getting
him ont Of the station house than with
unkindness in getting him in +; and he is so
anxious to express his thanks in person,
that am afraid he will succeed in worry
ing me home some weeks sooner than in
tended


Now, I had not the slightest desire to
see this injured young man and when the
time of his arrival came, like all other
things we dread, with amazing celerity, |
called up all my powers of strategy for de-
cent excuses to avoid the evil moment.


But that provoking Ben must needs
take" to him wonderfully and somehow
or other, | always found myself doing what
ever Ben did. 1t all seemed like dream;
my introduction to Harry Esselton, engage
ment, and marriage; but the affair of the
burglary has furnished the whole family,
bimself included with so much amuse