The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1890-10-23
THE STOLEN IDOL.
Searching for Midnight Prowler
in Ohio.

Its shame, Mr. Deering. blessed
Shame that my aunt should accuse Jessie
Darling of theft How could she do
such a thing?"
The young man who stood before me
was hot with Indignation. and from his
words and actions at once OWNED the
truth that he was very far from indif-
ferent to Miss Darling.
smiled little at the young mans
enthusiastic defense of his aunt's maid
WAS the jewelry lost by Mrs. Goodale
of much valued" l questioned, after the
young man had told his story
II don't believe it was; but you see,
it's an heirloom in the family, and
therefore priced very highly" returned
Walter Goodale. Its hideous Indian
idol, made of gold and precious stones,
and has adorned my aunt's dresser for
years innumerable. Jessie has been
with her year, and now, when the
hideous old idol disappears, my aunt flies
into a rage and at once accuses poor lit
tie Jessie of the theft. Aunt Selma is
terror when she's enraged, and, we'll
] wouldn't permit myself to stay and
hear Jessie traduced, so fled and came
to you, Mr. Deering. You must find the
thief out and thus vindicate the poor
girl Ill reward you handsomely for it,
if you succeed"
1t was in one of Ohio's smaller cities
that | was sojourning now, and for
some months had been in the detective
work. l knew the Goodales. and bad
and blue eyes were very attractive. I
understood we'll enough that Walter
was dead in love with his aunt's maid.
and also that the aunt was displeased
at the outlook.
The first thought that dawned upon
my brain was that the old lady had con-
cocted little plot to disgrace the girl,
and thus break up the match that was
but forming. 1t pleased me to see the
nocence, and l was rather pleased than
otherwise to enter upon the unraveling
of the mystery.
] repaired at once to the house of
Mrs. Goodale. 1t was a large, square
stone building of ancient construction.
Mrs. Goodale was wealthy widow
with no children of her own, and her
orphan nephew, Walter, found an abode
with her.
When l reached the house found the
maid in the hall, with hat and shawl on,
about to leave the place. The girl was
pale, and I could sec that she had been
weeping.
II ought to put you in the hands of
an officer at once" declared Mrs.
Goodale.
"You can find me at my mothers any
time" returned the girl, in shaking
voice, and then she turned and hurried
from the house, not looking toward me
as she passed. confronted the widow,
and she uttered my name in glad sur
prise.
The very man / wish to see," she
declared. 81 have been robbed, Mr.
Deering, and there goes the thief now,''
pointing toward the retreating form of
Jessie Darling.
Are you sure she is the thief?' l
asked.
''Of course l am"
Then you will have her arrested at
once?"
'Well, l ought to, and shall, unless
she returns the stolen property"
(Which is very valuable?"
"Yes. Did Walter see you? I am
glad of it, although ] am sure the girl is
the thief. Come in, Mr.. Deering, and l
will tell you all about it,
Ientered the parlor, and the widow
was soon explaining the situation. 1t
was about as the nephew had stated it,
only Mrs. Goodale assured me that she
had found a ring that she had lost at
the same time as the idol, in her maids
trunk.
"She got red enough when l told her
where found the ring" proceeded Mrs.
Goodale, land tried to screen herself
by saying that 1 was a meddlesome
woman to go shopping into her trunk.
I squelchei her, though, and if you
think it best will have warrant is
sued at once. The girl may leave the
city, you know"
II have little fear of that" I said.
AT any rate, permit me TO investigate
this affair first, Mrs. Goodale. 1t may
be that you wrong Miss Darling by your
suspicious"