The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-07-05


fioor of the theatre, whence the crowd had
now departed.
IF it's found I'll save it for you," said an
employe of the place; "call tomorrow"
Meantime Pauls quick eye observed a
strange thing. Miss Millington, who was
condoling with his almost fearful wife, kept
ner Inst tightly closed; but between the little
finger and the palm thereof shred of lace
was visible.
Without with-your-leave or by-your-
leave Paul wrenched this article out Of her
grasp;
lt was the missing handkerchief.
is this joke?" he exclaimed, glancing
an!g;Tlly into the blanched face OF Matilda
Wilmington.
The woman, who had covered guilty under
MS accusing glance, took heart OF grace at the
Worq ne kindly used.
Yes, yes, quite So" she gasped with a
hysteric laugh; 'a joke--a mere joke"
III Is avery bad one" he retorted savagely.
m The three walked in silence to the street.
Inere Paul put Miss Millington into hack,
pal M tne driver and sent her home alone.
=, mary Devereux was terribly shocked at
the occurrence Naturally she told her
husband of the peculiar incident of the
aIternoon which had resulted In her giving
Miss Millington $50
~ was all trick" exclaimed PAUL,
pacing up and down their small DIR iwing
3
swindler-indeed, a thiefl'
The secret of Miss Millington's elaborate
dressing seemed to be suddenly revealed to
Mary's mind
we will drop her acquaintance, of course"
observed the little WIFE
an, put that will not absolye us Of re-
sp0nslollity in this matter, cried Paul, ex-
cltediy: Il must not shrink the moral duty
winch is obvious here. / must tell George
rockford of all this"
Mary wrung her hands in sympathy with
the poor, erring creature, who had been
thelr guest half the day long.
her lifep'
And it will break his heart, for he loves
DONE"
why not let him find out for himself"
punishment as he sees ftp"
That internal French bit of sophistry
againl" he exclaimed. "Cut It'll l am not
a coward and will do my duty, though more
unpleasant one never fell to my lot.''
In the morning he wired Rockford to come
10 ms lPaurs) house at the earliest possible
moment. He was bracing his nerves for
the painful Interview when the door-bell
rang.
1t was Miss Millington-pale, wild-eyed,
gasping.
What did she say9 What did she not say ?
woman
could say under the circumstances. The love
OF dress had tempted her; her position of
dependence was so CALLING; the necessity of
keeping up appearances was so absolute in
the ultrafashionable set in which she moved
and, after all, her mannuvres had not been
unsuccessful; she had caught husbands
good man
Paul pounced upon the truthful epithet.
TOO good for yOu," he cried. she shall
know Of this from my lips. would deem it
dishonorable to withhold this knowledge
from him. have sent for him."
He is coming here?" she asked in dis
may.
II expect him every instant" he said,
calmly.
"Let me CO." she cried rushing towards the
door,
Paul turned the key, took it out pocketed
it. Miss Millington sank into the easy-chair.
Mary wept.
"Oh, Paul. husband, you are cruel" she
said, between her sobs.
Mr.. Rockford was announced, Paul un-
locked the door and let him in. He had had
difficulty in getting away from business, he
SAID; but the telegram was so peremptory
what could be the matter?
a deathly silence fell on the group. Paul,
VINO had counted so confidently on his power
70 disclose to his friend knowledge which
would make him miserable for life. suddenly
found mselftongue-tied. George Rockford
looked from one to the other of the trio in
complete establishment at this strange de-
meanor.
'..Will You kindly explain the meaning of
thls scene, one or the other of your" he
asked In the quiet, direct manner Of the
business man.
No one answered.
A rsssppaat the door broke the silence.
Come in" cfiaeaa Mar Ma DeyerSsfiIS, -
10 her intense surprise the servant VIII,
mad been recently discharged walked into
the room with resolute air A man O
closely followed her.
Excuse my coming right into your parlor. ;
said the woman, with curt politeness, ssbu
my business is that kind that We don't wan
to let the grass grow under your feet about H
see! what mean to say is, you thought
stole spoons, didn't you?'
What II we dds" cried Paul angrily.
.".Mhat?' roared the indignant servant.
Whv, I'm an honest woman, am. though
cook and wash. Spoons Is safe where
am and how s, many of those present can say
Walk out of the place." shouted Paul il
."In two minutes and half | will" re-
pied the resolute persons who had come K
yindicate her character. Sam Rowley, per.
duce them spoons"
tracted three handsome silver soup spoons
from the side pocket of his coat.
"Pawned with me-" he whistled through
tae aperture caused by lost front teeth. "by
M. Millingtonw
Them spoons was lost the day she lunched
with you" went on the AmaZonion accuser
land next day they was pawned with s.
kowley, a cousin of mine, which is here.
Books will show amt making no trumped.
up charge. She's got the pawn-ticket
sommer, you'll find, and the injured person
tossed her head Indignantly.
George Rockford looked like man who is
on the verge of lunacy.
Paul, Paul ~ he cried. with bitter moan
explain all this to me, l beg-I entreat Of
Don't ask me George; can't" groaned
Paul, hiding his faco in his hands.
Miss Millington rose to her feet slowly.
The whole question is this, George Rock.
10rd, she said, In an icy voice; would Won
marry woman of loose principles as re.
gards7well," ,doggedly, ''stealingP''
moi! he shouted.
Then nothing remains, suppose, but
Tor me to say goodbye to you?" she
Nothing whatever" he roared Justify. I'll
you hold such loose principles!'
Almost before they knew it she was gone
either separately or together, no one Noticed
which. '''o'
II will explain the matter to YOU in detail
GEORGE" said Paul, sadly, "when l feel a
trlfie more composed. Meantime, what Is
guilty woman?" 10
mo, no.. replied Rockford, gravely, slet
her go! We shall lave nothing more to do
with. her; and If she should pursue her
criminal practices among others less tender
hearted than ourselves. why let them inflict.'
Mary Devereux smiled, and Shrugged her
shoulders la Franchise. ~,
The very policy urged upon Paul" she
said, with a slight. Go get hanged else.
where 1t is cowardly but it is the easiest
way out"