The Press., 1884-10-23
tha adjoining seats.

A man had made his way noiselessly through the crowd, and laid his hand on John Weldon shoulder with an author itative pressure.
 My friend,'' he said, in low voice, "you are wanted.''
 John started up, white and breathless.
 ''Has anything happened?' said he. ssIs my sister i'll ?'
 ssNow don't make a fuss, said the stranger, turning back the lappel of his coat far enough to display policeman's shield. ''And don't play innocent. It ain't a-goin to pay. You are arrested for stealing ladys purse, and the. quieter you come along with me, the better 1t will be for all parties.
 So John Weldon was taken away to the station house, and Avis was carried faint ing out into the lobby. Was it frightful vision? What was 1t that had thus blighted her dream of de- light?
 She was lying on the sofa the next noon, her throbbing head bandaged in cold wa ter, her heart full of sick terror, when the door opened, and in came Rebecca. sYou have been to the police court ?" said Avis, starting up. ''Oh, what did l they say What does it all mean ?''
 'sIts all right enough" said Rebecca, l slowly. s'No thanks to you, though, Avis Benton Its you and your senseless pride that have brought disgrace upon man who was never yet put to shame before his fellow-creatures You see, there was robbery at Masseys yesterday morning "a lady lost her purse with hundred dol- lars, pair of diamond earrings and these two opera tickets in it. And the thief, it's likely, flung away the tickets, lest they should be clue to track him, and the Evil One put 'em directly ill your way, Avis Benton; For the lady knew the numbers, and the police were set on the track to see who presented the tickets" :"
 "I-I am very sorry p sighed Avis, with a shudder.
 ''But just as they were cross-examining poor John,' added Rebecca, Gin comes the real thief, who had pawned the ear rings somewhere on the Bowery, and had the bills still unchanged in his possession. And he confessed everything, and of course John was exonerated from all blame."
 ''Is he coming back here ?" said Avis, faintly
 ''Not until evening, of course. Why should he? Hasn't he his business to at tend to?'
 Rebecca went away up stairs, and wher she came back the sofa was empty and { little note lay on the table.
 ''DEAR REBEccA," it said: ''I have gone home. I thank you for your kindness, but could not stay to face John after all my folly ; and the trouble in which I have involved him Please ask him to forgive poor AVIS" She was sitting in the farmhouse door three days afterward, feeding the brood O little golden ducklings that crowded, witt soft chirpings, around her, when 8 stel sounded on the soft grass and the garden gate clicked cheerfully. She started up with cry of joy.
 ''Oh, John.'
 s'He held out both hands.
 'You are glad to see me, Avis ?" said he
 "Not If you have come to reproach mt E as I deserve" murmured Avis, bursting into tears.
 "Never that, dearv' said honest John still retaining the cold little hand in his ''Ive come to tell you how lonely the ole house seems without you. I've come tt ask you to go back there with me, as my wife. Will you, dear Avis ?'',
 Oh, John But-Rebecca ?" "Don't worry about Rebecca, said John cheerily. "Rebecca says she didn't knov until you were gone how terribly sh' r should miss you. Answer, Avis-will yo1 go back with me?"
 And Avis, averting her eyes, whispered , "Yes.'
 : So our little country lass went to tn city to live after all. , But she never again asked her husban. I to take her to the opera
 After all, as John said, ''There was fitness in things p