The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-09-21

Anat D I'LL huHlDuS, SAID the police
man; 'come along. You follow, if YOU
please, miss. I don't consider it the duty
of good citizens to let such fellows of,
for my part"
"Nor l." said I. Como on, Miss
Matilda"
The policeman led the way with the
young man. AS we walked behind.
particularly noticed hat he had a very
gentlemanly appearance. New York
thieves often have, My heart really bled
for him. lie was one who should have
played a better part.
We arrived at the station and were led
into a sort of private parlor, where VIC
were asked to wait awhile; the prisoner
being led away by the policeman. I saw
the door of the room in which the Justice
sat open; I saw him at his desk. I saw
the prisoner standing before him. Then
it closed with a bang. In another in.
slant the policeman returned.
"Miss, " said he, ellis Honor wishes to
see you alone. Our young man declares
the affair a conspiracy against him, and
you will be questioned separately. No
o~ffense, sir"
"Nonc," said I. Then I beckoncd to
the policeman apart and slipped two
dollars into his hand. "Don't lose sight
of the young lady until she r~ejoins me"
[ said."
"No, sir; on no account" said ne.
And off they went together.
They were gone ten minutes, and re-
turned as they went. Miss Matilda had
been weeping.
"Thc lady's evidence was all sufi-
%cient," said the man.
Then they have committed him2"
said I.
eyes, he's committed" said Matilda.
"Oh, poor fellow. I'll go now, NIr.
Martini"
1 led her away.
AS we went I saw the policeman grin.
ming after us. I couldn't think why.
We said very little as we walked on,
md were at the dressmaker's in no time.
Now or never would she battle me. She
might escape by the back door or the
roof; how could I tell. I refused to al
low her to go into the next room. I
stared at her while madam-all indig-
aation-measured her shoulders and the
length of her skirt. When she went be-
hind a screen to be stried on,"I watched
ler little feet below it, and when I got
her out of the house I rejoiced.
We caught the train by a hairs
breadth. 1 did not doubt that she tried
. miss it altogether, and all night I
her, lest at some station she
should even yet elude me. When, !
hours from our first meeting,
rang the bell of her fathers residence 7
vas a jaded being. but I was triumph
lnt.
1 walked into her fathers chamber :
With Matilda OH my arm.
"Sir," I said, Il have done nv duty.
iere is Miss Matilda Middlcbury." ,
Shall l over forget hat moment2 AZ
'poNS pAo'Aiua LuEueu ABOUT WILD o !,
you've made a mistake" said she,
"A married woman bears her husbands
'ame. Mrs. Jackson, if you please.
Papa, hcre is my certificate, and this is
ny ring"
She drew off her glove as she spoke,
nd a heavy wedding-ring, which she
'ad not worr when we started, glittcred
her finger.
"iou were afraid of thc dressmakcr's
she said. "Therc was no danger
1 was married at the police
You drove me to that vulgar
t, papa. The theft was Il sham.
'harlcs was the thief. The arrest was
sham. The policeman was hribed.
ie merely ushcrcd Charles into the pres
nee of the Justice of the Peace, escorted
le aftcrward into the same room, and
'as witness to the ceremony.
"Thc law is very hard upon US poor
Dung women" she added, with a mean
1g glance at me; 'sand the parchment
'as very imposing. But those whom
|od has joined no man can put asunder.
nd papa must forgive me before my /
usband comes tomorrow"
I suppose Mr.. Middlebury did forgive
is daughter, for I never altered his will:
ut 1 went back to the city that day in
lch a boiling rage that if it had been
/ my power to have disinheritcd her,
latilda would now be pcnniless. /
1 got over my anger long ago. and +
ave learned a leason by it. It is this: