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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (July 30, 1905)
Tnly 30. 1R0S. TFIE OMAITA ILLUSTRATED BEE. Twelfth Raffles Story An Old Flame traced hlmslf like a recruit at the drill f rgcant'a volcfl. "Of course hp Is," he snappe'l "so 1U as to noed a nurse who can nurse, by way of a change." With that his door ahut In my face, and I had to go my way In the dark a to whether he had mistaken my moaning, and was telling me a lie, or not. r.ut for my mlKlvlngs upon this point I rr.lKht have extracted some very genuine enjoyment out of the next few days. I had decent clothes to jny back, with money, as I say, In most of the pockets, and more freedom to spend it than was possible In he constant society of a man whose per K'nal liberty depended on a universal sup position that he was dead. Raffles was as bold as ever, and I as fond of him, "out whereas he would rurl any risk In a profes sional exploit, there were many Innocent renreatlons still open to me which would have been sheer madness In him. He could not even watch a match, from the six penny seats, at Lord's CrlcketgrouaJ, where the Gentlemen were every year In a worse way without him. He never trvelej by rail, and dining out was a risk only to be run with some ulterior object In view. In fact, much as It had changed. Raffles could no loncer show his face with perfect Impunity In any quarter or at any hour. Moreover, after the lesson he had now learnt, I foresaw Increased caution on his part in this respect. But I myself was un der no such perpetual disadvantage, and, while what was good enough for Raffles Ists, 1 had sustained no external hallmark by my term of Imprisonment, and I am vain enough to believe that the evil which I did bad not a separate existence In my face. This afternoon. Indeed, I was struck by the purity of my fresh complexion, and rather depressed by the general Innocence of the visage which peered Into mine from the little mirror. My straw-colored mustache, grown In the flat after a protracted holi day, again preserved the most disappoint ing dimensions, and was still Invisible In certain lights without wax. Bo far from discerning the desperate criminal who has "done time" once, and deserved It over and over again, the superior but superficial observer might have imagined that he de tected a certain element of folly in my face. At all events it was not the face to shut the doors of a first-class hotel against me without accidental evidence of a more explicit kind, and it was with no little sat isfaction that I directed the man to drive to the Star and Garter. I also told him to go through Richmond park, though he warned me that It would' add considerably to the distance and his fare. It was au tumn and it struck me that the tints would be fine. And I had learned from Raffles to appreciate such things, even amid the excitement of an audacious enterprise. If I dwell upon my appreciation of this occasion it Is because, like most pleasures. It was exceedingly short lived. I was very comfortable at the Star and Garter, which was so empty that I had a room worthy of a prince, where I could enjoy the flnost of was quite good enough for me, so long as " vleWB ln Patriotic opinion) every morn- we were together, I saw no harm In profit ing by the present opportunity of "doln myself well." Such were my reflections on the way to Richmond In a hansom cab. Richmond had struck us both as the best center of opera tions In search of the suburban retreat which Raffles wanted, and by road. In a well-appointed, well-selected hansom, W41 certainly the most agreeable way of getting there. In a week or ten days Raffles was to write to me at the Richmond postofflce, but for at least a week I should be "on my own." It was not an unpleasant sensation as I leant back In the comfortable hansom, and rather to one side. In order to have a good look at myself In the beveled mirror that Is almost as great an Improvement In these vehicles as the rubber tires. Really I was not an ill-looking youth, If one may call one's self such at the are of 30. I could lay no claim either to tho striking cast of countenance or to the peculiar charm of expression which made tho face of Raffles . like no other in the world. Rut this very Ing while I shaved. I walked many miles through the noble park, over the commons of Ham and Wimbledon, and one day as far as that of Esher, where I was forcibly reminded of a service we once rendered to a distinguished resident In this delightful locality. But It was on Ham Comma, one of the places which Raffles had mentioned, as specially desirable, 'that I actually found an almost Ideal retreat. This was a cot tage where I heard, on inquiry, that rooms were to be let in the summer. The land lady, a motherly body, of visible excellence, was surprised Indeed at receiving an appli cation for the winter months; but I have generally found that the title of "author," claimed with an air, explains very little Innocent irregularity of conduct of appear ance, and even requires something of the kind to carry conviction to the lay intelli gence. The present case was onp in point, and when I said that I could only write in a room facing north, on mutton chops and milk, with a cold ham In the wardrobe In case of nocturnal Inspiration, to which I nantl). "And he has been dead for years." Aly captor simply chuckled. "He's at the bottom of the sea, I say." But I do not knuw why I should have told him with such spirit, for what could It matter to Raffles how? I did not think; Instinct Was still stronger than reason, and, fresh from his funeral, I had taken up the cudgels for my dead friend as though he were still alive. Next moment I caw this for myself, and my tears came noarer the surface than they had been yet; but the fellow at my side laughed out right ' Shall I tell you something else!" "As you like." "He's not even at the bottom of that gravel lies no more dead than you or I, and a sham burial is his latest piece of villainy!" I doubt if I could have spoken If I had tried. I did not try. I had no use for speech. I did not even ask him if he was, sure. I was so sure myself. It was all as pluln to me as riddles usually are when one has the answer. The doctor's alarms, the stimulated illness, my own dismissal, each fitted In its obvious place, and not even the last had power as yet to mar my Joy in the one central fact to which all the rest were as tapers to the sun. "He is alive!" I cried. "Nothing else matters he Is alive!" At last I d'd ask whether they had got him too; but thankful as I was for the greater knowledge, I confess that I did not much care what answer 1 hid received. Already I was figuring out how much we might each get, and how old we should be when we came out. But my companion tilted his hat to the back of his head, at the same time putting his face closer to mine and compelling my scrutiny. And my answer, as you have already guessed, was the face of Raffles himself, superbly disguised (but less supeibly thau his voice), and yet so thinly that I should have known him In a trice had I not been too miserablo in the beginning to give him a second glance. Jacques halliard had made his life Im possible, and this was the one escape. Raffles had bought the doctor for a thou sand pounds, and the doctor had bought a "nurse" of his own kidney, on his account; me, for same reason, he would not trust; he had Insisted on my dismissal as an 'What did he die of?" I asked, uncon- essential preliminary to his part In the sclously drawing on that fund of grim self- conspiracy. Here the details were hatf control which the weakest of us seem to humorous, half gruesome, each In turn as hold in reserve for real calamity. Raffles told me the story. At one period he The doctor's tone was so conciliatory that had been very daringly drugged Indeed, I remembered In an Instant what a humbug and, In his own words, "as dead as a man Raffles due any day. I explained that the Inspiration would not come, and asked abruptly If the mutton was New Zealand. Thrice had I made fruitless Inquiries at the Richmond postofflce, but on the tenth day I was in and out almost every hour. Not a word was there for me up to the last post at night. Home I trudped to Ham with horrible forebodings, and back again to Richmond after breakfast next morning. Btill there was nothing. I could bear it no more. At ten minutes to eleven I was climbing the station stairs at Earl's Court. It was a wretched morning there, a weeping mist shrouding tho long straight street and clinging to one's face In clammy caresses. I felt how much better It was down at Ham as I turned Into our street and saw the flats looming like mountains, the chimney-pots hidden In the mist. At our entrance stood a nebulous conveyance, that I tooR at fit for a tradesman's van; to my horror It proved to be a hearse, and all at once the white breath ceased upon my lips. I had looked up at our windows and the blinds were down! I rushed within. The doctor's door stood open. I neither knocked nor rang, but found him In his consulting. room with red eyes and a blotchy face. Otherwise he was In solemn black from head to heel. Who Is dead?" I burst out. "Who Is dead?" The red eyes looked redder than ever as Dr. Theobald oponed them at the unwar rantable sight of me; and he was terribly slow In answering. But In the end he did answer, and he did not kick me out, as be evidently had a mind. "Mr. Maturln," he said, and sighed Ilka a beaten man. I said nothing. It was no surprise to me. I had known It all these minutes. Nay. I had dreaded this from the first, had di vined It at the last, though to the last also I had refused to entertain my own convic tion. Raffles dead! A real Invalid after nil! Raffles dead, and on the point of burial! "Typhoid," he answered. "Kensington Is full of It." "He was sickening for It when I left, and you knew It, and could get rid of me then!" "My good fellow, I was obliged to have a more experienced nurse for that very reason." distinction was In Itself a danger, for Its was liable, my literary character was estab- the man was, and became suddenly pos- need be," but he had left strict Instructions ..... ... - ... 1 .( V. I A Annt.lnHnn that Vi a that I wi.l V, , . tV.A nui-aa itottnla Impression was Indelible, whereas I might llshed beyond dispute. 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The most desperate and hopeless cases of spinal disease, lucomator ataxia, paralybls end all grave nervous conditions are es- essed with the vague conviction that he was Imposing upon me now. "Are you sure It was typhoid at all?" I cried fiercely to his face. "Are you sure It wasn't suicide or murder?" I confess that I can see little point In this speech as I write It down, but It was what I said In a burst of grief and of wild suspicion; nor was It without effect upon Dr. Theobald, who turned bright scarlet from his well-brushed hair to his Immacu late collar. "Do you want me to throw you out into the street?" he cried; and all at once I re membered that I had come to Raffles as a 'rfect stranger, and for bis sake might as well preserve that character to the last. "I beg your pardon," I said, brokenly. "He was so good to me I became so at tached to him. You forget I am originally of his class.' iwclally invited to give our wonderrul turneries ana tne new animal tnerapy a inai. Full particulars by mall or at our oittces. Illustrated catalogue with prices and refer ences free by mall, . THE QUICK-CURE REMEDY CO., 611 WOODMAN WORLD BUILDING, OMAHA, NEBRASKA. PHOTOGRAPHING 'DESIGNERS JM ENGRAVERS OMAHA, that nobody but the nurse and "my devoted physician" "should lay a finger on me" afterwards, and by virtue of this proviso a library of books (largely acquired for the occasion) had been Impiously Interred at Kensal Green. Raffles had definitely under taken not to trust me with the secret, and but for my own untoward appearance at the funeral (which he had attended for his own final satisfaction), I was assured and am convinced that he would have- kept his promise to the letter. In explaining this hei gave mo the one explanation I de sired, and In another moment we turned Into Pracd street, Paddington. "And I thought you said Bow street!" said I. Are you coming straight down to Richmond with me?" "I may as well," said Raffles, "though I did mean to get my kit first, so as to start in fair and square as the long-lost brother from the bush. That's why hadn't written. The function was a day later than I calculated. I was going to write tonight." "But what are we to do?" said I heslta ting when he had paid the cab. "I have been playing the colonies for all they are worth!" "Oh. I've lost my luggage," said he, "or a wave came Into my cabin and spoiled every stitch, or I had nothing fit to bring ashore. We'll settle that in the train." (End of Twelfth Story.) Western Electrical Co. Some men's names are often read In print, though they have done little to Justify such, "I did forget it," replied Theobald, look ing relieved at my new tone, "and I beg your pardon for doing so. Hush! They are bringing him down. I must have a drink before w start, and you'd better Join me." There was no pretense about his drink this time, and a pretty stiff one it was, but I fancy my own must have run It hard. In my caso it cast a merciful haze over much of the next hour, which I can truthfully describe as one of the most painful In my whole existence. I can have known very little of what I was doing. I only remember finding myself In a hansom, suddenly wondering why it waa going so slowly, and once more awaking to the truth. But it was to the truth itself more than to the liquor that I must have owed my dazed condition. My next recollection while the names of other men, who lived Is of looking down Into tho open grave, la lives of manifest usefulness, and activity, a sudden passionate anxiety to see tha which constitute examples well worth lol name for mys;lf. It was not the name of lowing, are never mentioned. To this lat my friend, of course, but It was the one ter class It Is safe to say belongs the man under which he had paused for many whose likeness appears In the accompany months. , I was still stupefied by a sense of In conceivable loss, and had not raised my eyes from that which was slowly forcing me to realise what had happened, when there was a rustle at my elbow, and a shower of hot house flowers passed before them, falling like huge snowflakes where my gaze had rested. I looked up and at my side stood a majestic figure in deep mourning. The face was carefully veiled, but I was too close not to recognize the masterful beauty whom the world knew as Jacques Balllard. I had no sympathy with her; on the contrary, my blood boiled with the vague conviction that In some way sha was responsible fqr this death. Yet she was the only woman present there were not half a doxen of us altogether and her flowers were the only flowers. The melancholy ceremony was over, and . ..... . ...u . , . ,u(,cu eral rnanaRer of th Western Electrical iruuKuain, evmemiy nirea ior me occasion, company of Omaha, Neb. . T ,WBlcnea n arlv wa-. n . Mr. Johnston ranks today a. one of the sight of my own cabman, making signs to best known men among the electrical supply m. through the fog. had suddenly reminded dealer, in the country. With the keen In m. that I had bidden him to wait. I was tellect and quick grasp of the situation the last to leave, and had turned my back whlch ha, tha foun(1atlon of hu ,uc. tu -.Tcuay ai meir c.Ss. ha soon saw that Omaha was an Idaal final task, when a hand fell lightly but location for an electrical .unnlv hm,. m lng cut, O. W. Johnston, founder and gen 1 w 1 . ..v 1 firmly upon my shoulder. "I don't want to make a scene In a cemetery," said a voice, In a not un kindly, almost confidential whisper. "Will you get into your own cab and coma quietly?" "Who on earth are your' J exclaimed. I now remembered having seen the fel low hovering about during the funeral. and subconsciously taking him for the un- spite of all Inducements to the contrary, ha saw that he could serve a better purpose for the Industrial field at large, a well as for himself, by establishing a new business Of his own. There are but few men who are as well fitted for ajid bound to make a success of an establishment of their own, as Mr. Johnston, as he possesses all of the essen tial qualifications of a manager. He laid dertaker's head man. Ha had certainly then and there the solid foundation nnnn that appearance, and , even now I could which the Western Electrical company of scarcely believe that he was anything else. Omaha has grown to be one of the leading "My name won't aelp you." he said, electrical supply houses In the middle west. pityingly. "But you will guess where I a benefit to the electrical trade of Its ter- come from whefl I tell you that I have a ritory and a pride to its founder. There warrant for your arrest." are several stcrets of this man'g success. My sensations at this announcement may First, an unfailing memory; second, bis pet not be believed, but I solemnly declare motto, which is displayed all over bis plac that I have seldom experienced so fierce of business In print. "Do It Now." Third, a satisfaction. Here was a new excitement his ability to employ and associate wltn in which to drown my grief; her was hlra men of professional knowledge .and something to think about; and I should be ability to carry out his orders In every de spared the Intolerable experience of a soil- tall. His first and only aim In business Is tary return to tha little placa at Ham. bis customers' welfare and to carry out It was as though I had lost a limb and every business obligation hs assumes, soma one had struck me hard In the face whether such can be done at a profit or at that the greater agony was forgotten. I a loss. "My word must be made good," has got Into tha hansom without a word, my sounded Into the ears of many an employe captor following at my heels, and giving of the Western Electrical company from his own directions to tha cabman before tha manager's mouth, and It Is "made taking his seat. The word "Station" was good." no matter what the sacrifice, tha only one I caught, and I wondered As an Individual. Mr. Johnston Is as ra whether It was to be Bow Street again, markable as he Is as a business man. But My companion's next words, however, or few employes have ever left him without rather the tons In which he uttered them, a feeling of love and respect, and aa a destroyed my capacity for idle specula- friend they have never known a better or tlon. "Mr. Maturln!" said hi. "Mr. Maturln, Indeed!" "Well," said I. "what about nlm?" truer one. Although ha Is strictly "busi ness" during business hours, yet tha weak est point in tha manager of the Western Electrical company is his big heart and "Do you think w don't know who he anxiety for his fellowraan's welfare. His was?" "Who was ha?" I asked, defiantly. "You ought to know." said be. "You got locked up through him the other time, too. His favorite name was Raffles then." "It ww his rwU naui(" I said Indltf- many friends and the business Interests of Omaha ara Justly proud of tha success Mr. Johnston has achieved and ara con fident that he will remain a pillar for the upbuilding and prosperity of the community be has adupted aa his bom for the future. teisi m$ w l-n , r-. Jin., .-iii in ii ir.t-r . ..i.--t--tiji.l Ait iWiaii kAmMiiiii ii.jii SWUM I , utmimim li m M I im 'ji v " ; y 'Waller Display Co. Expert imito of EBeetrSc Sins is Also Make Signs of Every Description 1216 Farnam St A. I. 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