The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-08-02

Al
on distinct charge"
Arthur's heart seemed suddenly to cease
beating. There was no mistaklng that the
man was in deadly earnest. and would car,
on the very morning of his wedding! True,
the charge was false and monstrous, but 1t
would take time to prove 1t 90. and mean
while
Yes. meanwhile. there was Adelaide in
her bridal dress waiting for the bridegroom.
Indignant as he was he could not but in
wardly acknowledge that his best course
would be TO hush mp the affair If possible
not for his own sake, but for Adelaldes.
The shock to her feelings would be too
| great; she might never recover from II, and
| the happiness of her life might be- forever
destroyed. Mr.. j. Foreman. standing rath-
er timidly near the open door, kept his eyes
| fixed upon Arthur g face. He shrank back
| as Arthur approached him.
II am not going to hurt you" said the
| young man. Come in and shut the door"
Mr.. p. Foreman obeyed. You said. at the
| commencement of this interview. that it
rested with me whether you would take
| leave of me with an apology. or adopt other
measures. By other measures you meant
| my arrest" Mr.. p. Foreman nodded. But
how do You propose to arrive at the apol-
oey"
ut Is entirely in your hands," replied Mr..
| z. Foreman. "You have only to prove your
innocence. and j apologize. Her lsdyshiD
trusts everything to me, and will be guided
II have only to prove my innocence" ex-
| claimed Arthur But how can that be done
| if you will Tot take my word for It'll l
swear to you that l am innocent, and de-
| charge, for which. if | am put TO any incon-
venience annoyance, / will make her
ladyship and all concerned in 10 suffer.
| Now are you satistedf'
Foreman. quietly. what 1 require is
| proof of your innocence. Icannot take your
word ANY other gentleman would say as
much"
was true. Again ask you" he cried. "hOw
wordf"
1T is very easily done You have not
changed your clothes. You have on your
| dress trousers and waistcoat; your dress
| coat hangs upon the back of that chair. Ii
| none of the missing articles are in the pock-
| cts will offer you the cOmpletest apology
In my power. and will sincerely regret that
| l have caused you SO much uneasiness"
Mr. p. Foreman was private detective
| but he certainly spoke like a gentleman.
| Throughout the interview he had conduct
ed himself with moderation; there was
| even a sadness In his manner which, now
that so reasonable course was suggested.
| impressed itself upon Arthur.
| 81 am quite willing" he said, ito do w ha {
you ask, though l dispute your right,
mind"
Il understand that" said Mr.. P. Fore
| man.
1T is only" continued Arthur, because
| i am to be married in the morning, and
wish to spare young lady's feelings. that
| i submit"
There was q deeper sadness In Mr.. P.
FoIeman's voice as he Observed: ITO be
married in the morning! ] must be- mistak-
en- He took step towards the door.
NO, you don't go now" exclaimed Ar
thur Il insist upon your stopping and
being completely satisfied. There's my
coat. Search the pockets"
But Mr.. +. Foreman would not touch the
garment. IF you insist" he said you
must go through the fOrmality yourself. l
should be ashamed to have q hand in it,"
lyon are good fellow. after all" said
Arthur, with great sigh of relief. will
Thank yOu," said Mr.. p. Foreman. AT
thur filled two glasses. Your health" he
your health" said Mr.. P. Foreman.
Now You shall see.' said Arthur. in a
gay tone. Come little nearer; l might
be master of legerdemain."
A melancholy smile crossed Mr.. z. Fore
concerned, when Arthur turned out the
pockets of his waistcost and trousers.
Nothing there" he said.
! Nothing there" said Mr.. 2. Foreman,
4 and again moved towards the door.
Stop moment" said Arthur, there is
my coat"
He turned out the pockets upon the ia BILE;
from the breast pocket he produced the
Jack Stevens; from the tail pockets han d.
kerchief and gloves. Nothing more. He
laughed aloud and lifted the handkerchief
from the table. The laugh was frozen IN
there fell from 1t a jeweled brooch. the de-
vice stlle of gold, with three birds
perched thereon, one of sapphires, one of
rubles. one Of brilliants.
MY God" he gasped, and sank into q
chair.
Me- p. Foreman did not break the silence
that ensued. With sad eyes he gazed upon
the crushing evidence of guilt. At length
Arthur found bis voice.
You do not; you cannot" he cried in an
agonized tone. believe me guiltyw
MIR. z. Foreman uttered no word. Ar
thurs face was like The face of death. A
vision of his ruined life rose before him.
and in that vision the image of hrs fair
young bride. stricken with despair,
what am l to doP moaned the unhappy
man. What am l to dos As hope for
mercy in heaven. swear that / am limo.
cent"
Mr.. P. Foreman in silence pointed TO the
brooch on the table. 1t was an eloquent
sign. but he seemed to symparhze with the
hapless man before him. Arthur rose to
his feet. trembling in every limb
Have mercy upon me.' he murmured
stretching forth his hands. Before God
am innocent"
Il am sorry for the young lady" said NE.
p. Foreman. deeply. deeply sorry, nave
q daughter of my own, whom / hope one
day to see happily married. But she is in
delicate health"
There was plaintiveness in his voice.
and Arthur. overwhelmed as he was. caught
at the despairing hope which presented it
self to his distracted mind. lie and the
man who held his fate in his hands were
alone; there were no Witnesses and not q
sound reached them from house or street.
'Save mep' implored Arthur. las you
hope for your daughters happiness save
an innocent man-saye an Innocent girl
from despair and DEATH"
Mr.. Z. Foreman put his hands before his
eyes. "My duty" he murmured.
You owe q duty elewhere." said Ar
thur. in Q rapid feverIsh voice. 1.-The lady
who has employed you trusts you implicit.
ly, and will receive your report without
question"
Il do not grasp your meaning" said Mr..
| Il. Foreman.
"Your daughter is in delicate health. you
say" continued Arthur. "You hope to see
her one day happily married. You are not
| rlchs"
Il am very poor" said Mr. p Foreman
DO you think l would otherwise follow
this miserable occupationf Fortune has
been against me all my life"
| 1t smiles upon You now" pursued Ar
| thur. desperately; lit offers you q chance
You speak like gentleman; you have q SOU
above your station. See here. There are q
hundred and fifty pounds in bank notes
secret. guiltless as am. You Gre not GUNS
man; you have had experience of the
world: you must know the voice of limo
| cence when Won hear il. COuld Quilty