The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-12-20

B..
Find it, my DEAR" subjoined the
officer, who had been regarding her with
undisguised- interest. $50 if you'll
hand over the keys Of your kit we'll
proceed to business instanter."
"And," said Mrs. Garret, sternly, eff
the stolen property is found in your
possession, you will go to prison, miss
that you shall.
AIMS white face slowly .kindled with
scorching red; her large, dark eyes
dilated with deep horror; her lips
turned pale; her breath seemed to leave
her in gasp. .,
"You accuse me-of thetta" she fall
tered. -
Mr.. Garret silently put her into a
chair. She looked as if the shock would
strike her dead.
"Do you dery," demanded Mrs. Gar
ret, none the less spitefully for this at
tention, "thst you picked up that
twenty dollar bill that was dropped on
the carpet, just on this spot, this fore
noona Haven't you got it in your
pocket, or trunk, or hidden about your
bedroom at this moment9 Go on with
the search, Mr.. Officer; she's determined
not to confess. It was a national bank
bill for twenty dollars, numbered 108,-
943." 81
"Seems to me I've seen your face be-
fore this" my gal," muttered the off,
Ger, confdentially. "You'n please
fork over the key of yer kit" young
woman" = :.
With trembling hands Ann waved him
off, and united ribbon from about her
neck, on which a small key was sus-
pended.
As she gave it to him a sort of sob
shook her, and large tears rushed in a
torrent down her cheeks.
"e"I'll show the way" said the mistress
OF the house, sure by these signs OF sor-
row that the note was about to be dis
covered. "James, keep your eye on
the unprincipled wretch, for there's no
knowing what she may do"
Arrived at AIMS miserable bedroom,
the officer first coolly rihed the pockets
of all the dresses to be found hanging
up, and not finding what he sought,
dragged the single trunk outunder the
skyight and unlocked it. - .-.
Very neatly arranged we're poor Ann
Walkers simple belongings. Some
daintily frilled underclothing, smelling
of lavender; her modest Sunday apparel
folded by itself in silver paper; box OF
plain linen collars and cuffs, one or two
books of such unexpected titles as
"Longfellow's Hyperion" "The Holy
Grail" by Tennyson, and some of Mad
anne Michelet's in the original French;
and beautiful mother-of pearl desk in
the very bottom with the initials A.
W. A." in a silver monogram on the
top. . -, j.,
t'Now I'm blessed if this amt pretty
kit for servant girl" remarked the de-
tective, taking out the desk and pro-
ceeding TO pry it open with his PEN
knife. =
E GA wholesale robber," groaned Mrs.
Garret, -clasping her hands; Sand to
think that have harbored
"Hallo," cried the detective, opening
the lid, and taking out a silver photo.
graph case, richly chased, and gar
nished with an elaborate monogram,
"Who's this ?"
Then the pair had fine surprise.
Opening the case, they saw two cartes
one of a. majestic looking military
man, apparently about sixty, the other
of young girl, clad in silk and richest
lace, whose face bore the exact simill-
tude of Ann Walkers.
"By the hookyi" calculated the Off
Ger, a light breaking all over his face,
and astonishment prevented further
articulation.
Taking a greasy pocketbook out OF his
breast pocket he opened it, and drew
forth photograph, which was Ann
Walkers vignette.
"Them two's the same gal2" asked
he, eagerly.
"Yes," answered the lady, with a
glance.
"I thought had spotted that gal the
minute I set eyes on her," cried the
man, exultingly; "and to think of me
findin' her after all, and three of US a.
huntin' for her these six months. I'm
a made man. Won't the gineral plank
down the thousand, pounds reward ?
Hoorar I" Il y- b..
"What do you mean9' asked Mrs.
Garret.
She begun to believe she had been
sheltering very great criminal indeed.
"What do I mean9" grinned the de-
tective. "Why, that you've made the
orkardest mistake, misses, you over
made in your life. You've heard of
Gineral Arnim as lives in the marble
palace up the Hudson ?"
"Of course I have-indeed, have
some acquaintance with him" "Or
would give the universe to scrape one, |"
she might with truth have added.
"That's unlucky-for you," observed
the officer, with On obvious absence of
sympathy -" for yer see this here cook
as you've accused of stealing is his only
daughter and heiress - e y : >
What2"
Mrs. Gerret sat down on broken
backed chair, with face as paleias
ghost.
To think that her penetration should
have served her SO i'll rs to suffer her
to insult this lady-this daughter OF one
of the grandest nlagrates in society.
Chow, in Heavens name, can l
apologize for my r,istake?" she gaspod.
"I'll die of shame outright y
"Meantina; we haven't founA the
bank note" observed the officer. with
some malice prrpense. Shall l g. on
with the s'arch q
"No, no! For gracious sake, leave
me! Let me think! !" groaned our friend,
in real anguish of mind.
So the officer went down stairs with a
very different manner from that in which
he had ascended.
Meantime the following interview had
taken place between the master Of the
house and the accused.
"Sir," said the latter, as soon as they
were alone, 81 thiuk you have the feel
ings of gentleman. Further conceal
ment is useless, and before I leave this
house owe you an explanation.
Mr.. Garret thought this was the begin
ming of confession of guilt, and said:
eyes, Ann" very sadly but kindly.
81 am not what I seem," pursued
Miss Arnim, in IN agitated manner
"You may have heard of, six months
ago, General, Arnim's daughter, who
disappeared ~ i''>' . 80
90 Heavens p muttered Mr.. Garret.
Ho now feared poor Ann was insane.