Life — September 5, 1901 — page 13: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“WAS HE ON AIS KNEES WHEN HE PROPOSED To you?” “No.1 wast” Padlock Bones. (With apotogtes to Conan Doste ) WAS standing on the top of a lonely mountain in Switzerland, thinking of my dear friend Pad- lock Bones, who was no more. It was just a year now since he took his fatal plunge off this very mountain. I moved a step further to look over the edge, and stubbed my toe against a loose rock, almost dash- ing myself down. ‘You've been drinking, I see,” said a quiet voice at my side. ‘ Also you have a new white horse and you are afraid of him.’* “Bones, my dear fellow !"’ cried I, throwing myself on his neck and sob- bing. “Yes, it is I,” curtly, “But tell me,” cried I, ‘first, before you relate your marvelous return to this world, how you knew that I had a white horse, him “That is plained,” said he, swal- lowing his cigar. ‘* You are dressed in a riding costume, which is co ered with white hairs ; he answered and was afraid of easily ex- this leads me to induce that you have a white horse, and I know that you are afraid of him, Dealer : Vat, DE HAT 18 TOO BMALL! DE SEASON I8 LATE AND YOR DE SAME ERICE YOU CAN MAVE— 193 for I saw you riding him yesterdey.” “You are a marvelous fellow !" I gasped, in admiration, “And as for my coming back to this world, I never left it at all, Chumpson. I simply hypnotized you into seeing me plunge over the cliff, a little trick I learned in India. I had a fancy for being alone up here fora time, But come, let us go back now to tho hotel. I feel a fever on me to return to the old life.”” On the way down he said suddenly: “I have a presentment, Chumpson, that some thing interesting is about to occur.” Just as ho said this we came in sight of a little cottage with a few fine trecs about it. From out of the cottage was coming the most agonized screaming; shrick after shrick, in a high feminine voice. “Here, I think, we have it,” said Bones, stepping up to the front door cf the cottage and knocking. The door was opened by two footmen in pink livery. I remember thinking at the time it was un odd color. Bones tossed them each a guinea. “You have stolen your master’s watch- chain,” he said suddenly, fixing his eyes coolly on one of the footmen. “ And you,” turning to the other, ‘‘ have drank ten bot- tles of his best wine. I will not tell your master, however, if you will go upstairs in- stantly and tell the lady who is screaming to come down to the drawing-room.” I wondered at his temerity, but in ten minutes the curtains at the drawing-room door parted, and an exquisite creature, ma tea gown of black lace over red satin, en- tered. Her lovely face was all distorted by VELL, ULL TELL YER.