Detective Bob Bridger — page 62: what you’re looking at

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

a rae + ‘DETECTIVE BOB BRIDGER. 55 | barely time in which to catch the six o’clock train for home.’ ‘“T glanced at the clock, and sure enough it lacked but a few minutes to six. “Bless me! I would not for the world have caused Miss Annette this trouble,’ I exclaimed, springing to my feet and hastening to the window. , “*And, dear me, it is raining!’ (A fact, by the way, of which I had been aware for some time, and was prepared for.) “*But fortunately I have my umbrella with me, and I will do what I can to atone for my faults by shielding Miss Annette from the rain to the station. “*Oh, thank you!’ said Annette, as she hastily tied on a hat which upon any other head would certainly have seemed ugly. “But from under the hideous affair the little beauty’s bright face beamed fairer tome than ever, and as she darted up to Mrs. Bibby and gave hera good- by kiss, I certainly envied the widow. “Mrs. Bibby followed us to the door, and being anxious that Annette should arrive at the depot i in time, advised us to hurry. “As I lifted my umbrella, that canopy of delight under circumstances, drew Annette’ S arm under my own, and _ stepped briskly away with her, I thought that the widow’s door banged shut somewhat lively ; but there was a stiff storm blowing, and a sudden draft possibly hastened the door’s movements. “Alone with Annette, 1 must admit, I used every en- deavor to steal away the little maiden’s heart. . “In the widow’s presence I had never felt otherwise than as an actor playing a part, but with Annette it was from ‘the first a genuine case of love—of love on sight as well. “Swittly I hurried the little beauty along the wet street, and where streams gushed by at the crossings I erasped |her tender form and sprang nimbly over with the gentle burden. “At six we arrived at the station to find that the train was ten minutes late. “TI pulled from my pocket aroll of bills, and desired to procure her a ticket, but she informed me that she was fur- nished with a twenty-six-trip ticket, a form in use on the road for frequent journeyers. “I took forth my elegant gold watch, the gift of friends in London, to compare time. Eomicbooks (6)