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The Tale Of A Telegram

The Tale Of A Telegram image
Parent Issue
Day
8
Month
April
Year
1887
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Maud Estabrook had just turned to rotrace her steps up the avenue, when, glancing round, she saw a young man emerging from theshadowof one of the great willows that guarded the gate. As he pulled off his hat with a low bow, the snolight brought out the burnished black of his close-cut hair, and threw into Btronger relief his bronzed, haudsome face, to which a slight scar on one cheek gave a touch oí the romantic and picturesque. So thcught Maud, af ter her brief, comprehensiva sutvey. "I beg your pardon," said the stranger, fanning himself with his straw hat as he spoke'but can you tel! me if Mr. Estabrook is here? "O," thouuht Maud, "one of Tom's frieiiils." Then, aloud, "Yes - that is, ho lives here, but he is not at home to-day." As the new-comer stood irresolute, Maml save hini another quick look, smnmed up his whole appearance. from liis six feet of stature and the licht pedestrian garb that set it off to the knapsack hansing over his broad shoulders. Then shesaid hesitatingly: "He may be back to-night, perhaps. Won't you come up to the house 'and rest? It is so warm! And my mot.her will be glad to seo any friend of Tom's." The young man returned her inquirmg glance as he answered, also with some hesitation: "Thanks. Ie ia very warm, certainly. I should be delighted to pay my respect3 to Mrs. Estabrook, if she will permit me." With that he put on his hat again; and the two walked along together under the blossoming acacia trees, while he introduced himself as Marston Foliiott, just now pedestrianizing in th.it región. To which she responded with the information that she was "Tom's sister." In this way they reached the house, where Mrs. Estabrook was discovered in the cool north parlor. She received her roii's friend very hospitably, inyiting him to await Tom's return, which was expected by the next morning at latest. Mr. Folliotte's manner was again besitating, as he halfglanced toward Maud. "I really öught not to take advantage " he began. But Mrs. Estabrook, a nervous, excitable woman, given to starts and broken sentenoes, interrupted him: "No, no! Pray don"t aay so. Really it would relieve my inind, now that my son is away; and of coui-se Peter must choose this very Urne - Maud, Peter hasn't come back yet! No, not a man on the place, and this is sueh a solitary neigfiborhood! Burglais and trampa wouid have us quite at their mercy." So the young man accepted the urgent invitación, and the afternoon wore away pleasantly, with miuicand conversation, and strolling about the grounds. It was almost tea-time. The two ladies with their guest were sitting on the breezy piazza when a telegram messenger came up thesteps. delivered his yellowcovered missive, and was off again like a shot out of sight. "From Toni, probably," said Mrs. Estabrook. "Mr. Foliiott, you will excuse me!" . She broke open tho envelope, while the conversation between the two young people went on. Bat it was Biiddeniy interrunted by an inarticnlate sound from, .Mrs. Estabrook, and, looking around, they saw her white and trembling. Maud ran to her mother and put her arm around her. "I hope you have recived no bad ni'ws," llegan Mr. Foliiott. But as he advanced Mrs. Estabrook waved him back with a poor attempt at a smile' "0, no, not bad at all - only a little - a little - unexpected." Then she conveyed a silent summonsto Maud's anxious eye, addlng with the same torced lightnesa: "If you will excuse our leaving you alone for a moment, Mr. Foliiott, I have a little household matter to arrange with my dauahter. That is all indeed. It is only for a moment - only a moment I assure you." As they withdrew she sedulously returned Mr. Folliott's bow, all the while preserving a set smile strangely at variance with her pale face. But no sooner had they entered the house than it dropied away. as she turned to her daughter and said, in a hollow whisper: "Maud, that man is a burglar!" Maud stared at this startling announcemeat. "What man, mamma?" "That man out there- that Foliiott, as he calis himself. He isn't a friend of Tom's. Just read this- from Amelia." Maud took the telegram, which was from her married sister, living some iil'ty miles distant. This was what it contained. "Have just learned Trom nursemaid otasuspicions stranger making her acquaintance. Asking all about The Willows and nmnber of mmates. Seemed to know something of Torn. Tall, dark, gentlemanly-looking, and has a scav on one cheek. Look out for him." "Has scar on one cheek!" echoed Maud, faintly, after an instant's blank silence. "0, Maud, what shall wedo"moancd Mrs. Estabrook, sinking back into a seat. "And we have actually invited him to tea - a ourglar! VVell, for a friend, 1 thougbt he seemed very uncertain about Toni." "I noticed that, too," answered Maud, with bent brow, recalling a certain unreadiness of tone and manner which had struck her as stvange at tho time. Mamma," she continued, "wo must eend Bridget or Maggie over to üio villaje for help " "No," almost screamed Mrs. Estabrook. "not another person must leave the house! O, how could Peter chooso the very day Torn was gone? When ho knows how nervous I am, too! - and to think I told that - the desperado out there, that there wasn't a man about the placo! Maud! Maud! what shall we do!" "I thinlc I havo a plan, mamma," said Maud, raising her hf ad fioin her brown study. "Wait a moment." She flow upátaira and down again. "Now come out on the piazza. He mustn't suspect anything. Tho two ladies rejoincd their unwelcorac gueat, and Mrs. Eatabrook rushed into feverish conversation with him. I'.ut her talk was of a eingularly warlike kind, turning mainly upon revolvers, and the profiVienoy attoioed in tho uso oE these deadiy weapons by Bridget and Maggie.two unsopfiisticatod hand-maidens, who, in fact, would not have known a toy pistol from a gatling gun. Maud, in spite of her tensión of anxiety, grew echless willi Iaughter behind her faniisshelistened, turtively watching the stranger's face and noting its just-controlled uneusiness. Pinally, like one who takes a resolution, he bean abruptly, "I really am in a very false position " "0,1 beg your pardon, Mr. Folliott" quickly interposed Maud.fearing that, n bla rising suspicions, slie would lost; her carefuily prepared coup. "If you would like to remove any of thelingering dust of travel, you have just time before tea. The yonng man rose at this hint, and Maud, volunteering to show the way, aecompanied him up the broad staircase, and smilingly indicated the room where his knapsack had been left. No soouer had he stepped within than, quick aa a flash, the elrl shut the door and locked it on the outside, where she had already placed the key. Then she leaned against the wal!, and listened to the movemeuts of the entrapped burilar. For a fow nioments there was perfect stillness, as if he were tryinj; to realize the meaning of that click of the lock; then she heard him po to the door and turn the handle, first softly, then louder and louder. Maud claeped her hands tightly together, feeling almost hysterical betiveen laüghter and nervouness. Then the rattling stopped, and a voice said, slowly: "Miss Estbrook! Areyoustill there?" "Yes," answered Maud, holding her brt?ath. "You are not aware that you have locked me in?" Maud hesitated for an instaat. But since the explanation must come, it might as well come at once. "Yes" she answered, clearly; "I did it inbentionally." "In- deed!" The blended accent of this word made her feel hysterical again. "Perhaps you would not mind telling me Whjr you did it?" "Because you are a burglar," answered the girl, concisely. Thero was an indistinct mutter which might or might not have been an expletive. Then, after a silence, the voice inqnired, quite formally: "And might I ask what you mean to do with me?" "Keep you shut up here until my brotherorthe gardener comes back; and then - " "Yes, and then-" "Then," replied Maud, with a sudden inspiration, "we will let you go if you go peaceably." There was a sound of suppressed laughter at this. Then the voice rejoined politely: "Thanks. I will give you any assurances you require." Maud went down to the diningroom, where she busied herself in packing a basket. After this, returning up stairs, she called to her prisouer: "Mr.- Mr. Folliott!" "Yes?" "If you will open the closet you will find a rope. Please let it down, and we will send you up some supper." The stranger obeyed, ana a wellfilled basket was soon lifted through the window into his room. Maud Hospitably hoped he had everything be wished. "Thanks; not quite," was the delibérate answer. "If I inight ask for a couple of Tom's cigars?" "Torn, indeed! The wretch!" commented Tom's sister to herself. Then, aloud: "Oh, certainly if you will let the basket down again." At this point lire. Estabrook remonstrated. "Really, Maud, that Í3 too much!" "Oh, mamma, anything to keep him quiet and good-tempered," said Mand. "And jou know he was to have taken tea with us." "But if he ehonld burn the house down smoking them?" anxiously sugjested her mother. "Well, perhaps it's safer to give him something to use his matches with," answered Maud, with a masterly stroke of logic. "And they always do have matches," she concluded, indefinitely. Her reasoning carried the day. so the cigars went up and the rope carne down, for this was a point. on which Maud was firna. She hadno intention of leaving that rope in their burglarious visitor's possession. The evening waned, and still there was no sign of Peter's return. The two ladies did not dream of sleeping, but kept watch throughout the night in the room adjoining that of their prisoner, bracing themselves with strong tea for their task. It was weary workhowever, and the minutes crept slowly into the small hours. The hall clock just stiuck the quarter belore 2 when the silenoe of the house was disturbed by a little sound which seetned preternaturally loud to their strained ears. Mis. Estabrook sat erect to listen, wliile Maud turrted up the glimmering lamp. Asain carne the sound slight but distinct, scratch, scratch - file, file. "Maud, what is that noise?" said Mra. Estabrooke, with the calmness of despair. Maud declined to commit herself prematurely. "Maud," said 'her mother again, "it,s down at the piazza window. It's - it's a confedérate of that man in there! O, don't teil me! I know!" Maud frowned thoughtfully. Her mother'8 idea was only too plausibls. "He'll get in and let the otber one out," pursued Mrs. Estabrooke, breathlessly; "and then go through the house, and rob and murder us all. O dear! Oh-h!" "Don't mamma dear! pray don't!" entreated Maud, as the poor lady, overwhelmed by her own picture, showed signs of becoming hysterical, and uttered several small screams. Upon this, the occupant of the next room, who hitherto had yiven no sign o' life, began to knock on the door between the two chambers. Maud drew near, and the folio (ving con versation took place: "Miss Estabrookl" "Yes." "Excuse me.but is anything wrong?" Maud hesitated. Mrs. Estabrook meantime had checked herself and was holding her breath to listen. Eeceivina no answer he presently spoke again. "What is that noise I hear downstairs?" "We don't know," said Mand; "but i, "But what? Is that what is alarming you?" Maud considered. "We are afraid it is a- a burglar." "What! Another?" exclaimed the strancer. Then he checked himself. "Don't you tbink you'd better send me to dispose of him?" he suggested, with an admirable assumptiou of the boldness of ionocence. "Maud!" harply protested Mrs. Estabrook. "One mot t n iwitna," rejoined j herdaughter "I a; not sure." She turned to ae door again. "You are quite certain he is not an - an - an - assistant of yours?" she asked, in the politest ternis she could select. "Let me out, and you shallseo. Upon my honor-" Here the words wen) lost in a stifled sound. "Is the man laughing?" demanded Mrs. Estabrook, in angry amaze; then, as a new euspicion entered her mind. "Maud, do you believe he is exactly in his richt mind?" "I don't think he can be," Maud anawered, doubtfully; but seeing her mother's growing alarm she hastened to add, "but we evidently havq a certain control over him, and - really mamma, 1 don't know but it would be brtter to let him drive the other away. No, but hear me out. They can't be accomplices, and i we must be in the power of either.why, I would mach sooner trust this one. He is far superior to ordinary burglars," concluded Maud, with a tine air of connoisseurship in this particular branch of the dangeroua classes. Her opinión, as usual, prevailed, and their prisoner was informed that f he wouid not move until a given time he should be released. Aa he feadily agreed to tho conditions, the girl stole out into the passage, turned the key very softly, and thenflew back into her own room, which she locked in hot liaste. Uure sheknocked on the inner door.and at the appointed eign heard the young man dash through the corridor and downstairs. There was a sound of rattling glass, an altercation of voices, a pistolshot, and then n brief period of suspense, iuring which the hearts of the two woinen stood still. Then steps returned along the passage, crossed through the next room, and stopped beside the door of communication, where a rap resounded. "Miss Kstabrooke, I have come back," said a quiet voice. "And the - the - man?" nsked Maud, breatbless. -"O, I faney he'll give you no more troublo. Judging from the groan I heard as he beat a retreat, he won't fc9l in sprits for any more of this business tonight. "We - we are very much obliged to you," Btammered Mand, rat her at a loss what to say under Uie eircumstances. Not at all. It was a pleasure to me. Ile was infringing on my rights you know." Silence followed, broken by another rap. "Miss Estabrook, I aro waifaug to be locked in again." "Do you really mean " began Maud. "Certainly, I must insist, if you please. 111 stay here until you give me the word." "Be quick, Maud," whispered Mrs. Estiibrook, very distrustful of this extraordinniy burglar. "The man is either a criminal or a lnnatic. Kun and turn the key child before he changes hia mind." Thus urged, the girl madi another sor Me. Once more the key clicked in the look, their prisoner was heard to cross the door and then all was silenes again. Not for long, however. Suddenly there was a coníused clamor at tho outside door, while the bell pealed londly through the honse. Maud and her mother sprang up and faced each other. "That man back again?" faltered Mrs. Eastbrook. "O mamma, nol" said Maud reassuringly. "A burglar would neyerring the bell. Why ït'.s Toni!" she cried, withsudden couviction. "It's my brother come home," she repeated, as a voice from the next room was heard, with renewed profïers of assistance. Torn it was indeed, and vory anxious about the safety of thehousehold. As the brother and sister met in the gray of the early dawn he hastily explained how, having cnlled in to see Amelia, she had given him no peace until he promised to return at once to The Willows; how he had done so, in some vexation at what he considerad her fussiness, until everything had suddenly been driven out of his tniud by the sight of a blood-stain on the piazza. At which Maud sshuddered, and was about to relate her version of the night's adventures, when Mrs. Estabrook's voice was heard in reproachful accent8 from above. They hastened upstairs, and found the poor lady inclined to hysterics at being left alone. She began an incoherent story in whioh Peter and the burglar were jumbled, to Tom's bewilderment. "But who winged the burglar, then?" heasked. "Was it you, Maud?" "Hush - sh!" breathed his mother, with warnlng iinser upraised. "He's in there, you know." "In there! why, I thought you said he was gone? And what on e.arth is Píter in there tor? ".No, no, not Peter, the- theburplar "The burglar!" Tom jumped up. "You don't mean you've trapped the fellow? B ra vol" And ho was hurrying to the door, when his sister laid a hand on his arm. "0, wait, Tom," she said. "Thatis the oddest part of it all. "And she told the tale of their strange guest. "It doesn't seem like his being a burglar, but I don't think he can be in his right mind," she concluded. "By Jove! I should say not! Wante 1 to be locked up again? Why, the man must be a first-class crank. Well, I'll have a look at him." Ile left the room, and the two women heard the key turn in the lock. They held their breath to listen, but all they could distineiush in the next room was a confused sound of voices and laughter. Presently Tom came back, accompanied by the suppositious burglar. "My mother and sister, Mr. Folliott," said Tom, with a wave of his hand and a twinkle of his eye. "Mother, this is my friend Mr. Folliott, who seems to think there is some mystery that needs clearing up üo nhead, Folliott, your turn first, concluded Tom, with i. grin, as he dropped into a seat. Thereupon Mr. Folliott e.xplained that, in the conrse of his pedestrian tour, it occurred to him to look up a friend who was making a short stay somewherein thatneighborhood. This friend's name was Estabrook - George Estabrook, not Tom - he had not known that Tom Estabrook lived in that locality. '!But you'd be likely to know it another time," put in Tom, with great enjoyment. Mr. Folliott, continuing, said that his happening to mistake the place had led to the whole subsequent comedy of errors. He apologized for having acreptüd their hospitnlity under false pretenses, and remarked that he had made several inefïectualefforts to place himself in histruecolors. When he reali.ed the poaition, after being locked in, as he feit convinced that his explanations would not be credited, he thought he might as well accept the situation with what philosophy he could muster, until the niarch of events should right him again. "Now forour side," said Tom, when thestory was finished. "Mot her, where is the fatal telegram?" The telegram was produced and read aloud araid much laughter. "How about tliat scar, Folliott?" said Tom, with mock cravity. "Doesn' that need some explanation?" "The scivr," answered Folliott, in the same tone, "is all that remains of an adventure I had some time ago. I never dreamed what an important part it was coin to play in thö drama of my lire," and he glanced at Maud. "Well, we'll cali it quita if you wijl," said Tom, laughing. "I vote it an immense joke all ronnd." 'We didn't think it such a joke, did we mamma?" said Maud, with a little air of vexation, as her part in the small omedy came back to her with mortiiying distinctness. "A joke? O, no!" cried Mrs. Etabrook. "Really, Tom, it would sound better to thank Mr, Folliott for all he (lid for your niother and eister, ftnd be lojked up for a burilar! ThOUgh, of course, with you away, and Peteí taking advantage of it " "í'll tiike advantage of Peter," threatened Tom, "if be dares to show his face here at;ain." And, in fact, when Peter, having finisbed bis jollification, did present himself at The Willows, it was only to receive a prompt dismissal. The real burglar was never found. Therefore Tora Estabrook was unable to settle the question if that "suspicious Btranger' resembled Mr. Marston Folliott in anything beyond the scar. Even that had nearly 1íhappeared belore Mr. Foliott lef t The Willows, so that when Amelia first saw her futuro brother-in-!a.w ebe eravely remarked that sbe could not Imagine how manuna and Maud could have made such a singular mistake. She was sure she never cculd. Which, from the cause of the wliole misunderstanding, wns certainly rather trying. But then Amelia was trying somotimes, as people without a Berree of humor areapt to be. - Harper's Bazar.

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Subjects
Old News
Ann Arbor Democrat