The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-05-19
that I saw Alice! Was 1t possible that

girl could be thief
That evening, the family being, out l
had gone down to the parlor on the sec
ond floor to get magazine. The hre
was bright and seated myself for few
moments. There was no light save fire.
light In the room; the gas In the adjoin-
ing hall was turned down.
As sat, heard key click at the hall
door, and some one stepped lightly in.
bent forward, and l distinctly saw
Alice pass by the open door, and ascend
the stairs. But instead Of going to her
own room, l heard her enter that Of Miss
Jacob.
listened to her humming low tune
to herself as was her custom when NOV
ing about the house. 1t was five minutes;
should think, before she came down.
Then she paused at the parlor-door,
and looked in.
had drawn into the shadow, and she
did not see me. l saw her, however,
distinctly. The gray dress she had worn
when she went out an hour before, the
chip hat, and the blue vail. She held a
letter in her hand, and l thought, "She
Is going to post it,"
But she did not return, and though /
waited an hour, did not see or hear her
again that night.
Next morning CHANGED to meet Miss
Howard on the landing as we were going
to breakfast.
"You did not see me when you looked
into the parlor last eveningW said. To
my surprise she glanced up at me as
though she did not understand. Invent
on: "When you came in and went up to
Miss Jacobs room."t
ZIP In Miss Jacobs roomp l went
out at seven O'Clock, and came in at ten.
l spent the evening at the house of a
friend," she replied, with dignity.
That moment the door OF Miss Jacobs
room flew back, and that lady came rush
ing out, crying:
II have been robbedl I have been
robbedl My purse with five hundred
dollars and my diamonds besidesl Oh,
my diamonds my diamondsW
The repose of "the castle of We're de
We're" was broken. The majestic mien
of the lady was lost, and she raved of
her diamonds as that famous hero, of
whose race Miss Jacob was not, raved OF
his ducats.
Hooked at Alice. Not a feature OF her
face showed guilt. There was only the
look of compassion which her friends
loss would naturally occasion.
1 knew not what to think. That there
had been q burglar in the house there
was no doubt. We again breakiasted in
haste and with many WORDS. Then
started for the Custom-house. Down
Park street, in front of me, sauntered
Stanforth and Alice.
1 was watching them, when, as they
reached the corner of fremont street,
from the church-steps, came man in
the uniform of the police, and touched
the girl on the arm.
II want you to come with me-" he
said.
"Me?" she answered smiling. "Do
you need my testimony in sometningW
then.
"Rather think we do. Mebby you can
help us fad them lost jewels that was
stole from No. 8 Endicott Place." ,
"You don't mean to arrest meW she
asked.
For the first time she turned pale.
"Thats about the plain English ONT
Miss"
She stood still an instant. Then, turn
ing to Stanforth, ,oshe said: .f.....
0Psrhaps you will be kind enough tc
20 to the Office, and tell them why cant
be there to-day. And-another thing
il Pm not back by Sunday, ask Mrs
Dwight to send word to the people out
at the church in South Boston. Now, Pm
ready" and, bowling to us, she walket
away on the arm oil policeman.
"That is rather an ugly piece of bust
ness, l declare" said Staniorth. "Pon
honor, don't know" he stammered-
.sif she's guilty, tisn't just the thing fol
a fellow to go down to the Office and give
her message as one of her friends"
w'lr co." said 1, angry enough to knock
the boy down for his silly weakness. "a
fine lover youW thought, "deserting al
the first alarm"
Verulam was not at dinner that day
I suspected where he was. or course
Miss Howard was the only persor
| talked of. The women were down OF
her, except grandmother. She was full
of faith.
sItll all come out straight-just watt ;
she said.
But confess l couldn't see where thu
light was to come from. Then l tolt
Fanny, for the first time, Of my sus
picion.
"Ahl she's deep; knew that from th'
| outset. Trust one OF your meek Womel
for deception"
But the denouement came sooner thai
| we had anticipated.
1t was ten O'Clock that evening
Norah was half sick, and Fanny hat
asked me to 60 down and get pi,che
Of ice-water, to save the servant TIL
trouble.
AS came back through the dim hall
| who should open the door of Miss How
ards room but Miss Howard herself.
There she stood, gray dress, blue vail
and all-"the gownd, the bennett, and th
| wall" y
"Indeedl you are home so soonp
said.
The girl bowed, and, as before, hel
up u letter to be mailed. That instant
suspicion darted through my mind.
put myself across her path, and spoke:
"Come, stop and tell about it'll We'r
all Interested"
Instead of answering, Tie woman trie
to brush past me. caught her, an
drew her to the gas1ight on the landing
"Let me goW she shrieked with a
oath.
"Ahal my hne girl. This isn't tn
voice OF Alice HowardW
1t was coarse, vulgar tone. 1t wa
not the woman l had believed it to b,
II gave a cry. Stanforth and jess
dwight ran down. We took the femal
into the parlor.
Her hat came of in the affair, and wit
it, some braids of hair.
Then stood before us O girl with shor
red locks and high forehead. In te
minutes she was under the care of OF
detective.
Alice Howard slept in her own roo