Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1891-09-05

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part with it now, in order to save my
poor STUNT. can take it to pawn
broker, and before the year il out may
be able to get it again, and so not
lose it altogether"
She proceeded at once to visit .
money-lender, and after tedious delay
she was addressed by the curt words,
Well, Whist do you want?"
@She extended the locket, which was
received and closely examined by the
pawnbroker. Then he asked, well,
how much do you want on this?
Ten shillings, if it is worth so
much, she answered. timidly.
worth SO much! Well see-weu
see. Wait few moments"
The pawnbrcker whispered few
words to boy who was in attendance,
and the lad Immediately left the build
ing. In about five minutes he re-
turned, and, pointing to Cherry, said,
@That's the gal"
The poor creature almost sank upon
the floor when she was seized, and rec
ognized the same officer who had 80
rudely assaulted her in the street few
moments before.
Il thought 80; come along" he said:
and after . few whispered words be-
tween the pswnbroker and the man OF
law. she was dragged in the street, she
knew not whittier.
She offered no resistance-that was
utterly useless.
Soon she was taken into another
building, and some words OF explains
ton passed between the officer and an
other in attendance. She was briefly
questioned; but she was 80 bewildsred
that her replies were not Ineligible.
Then she was led away, and in . mo-
ment afterwards she found herself in .
dark apartment and an iron-grAted door
had closed upon her. She sank, sob
bing and almost senseless, upon the
cold stone floor. for she knew she was
in a station-house, although why she
had been thrown there she could not
imagine.
Slowly the night passed on, and she
shuddered with horror as she listened
to thousand strange sounds. There
were rattling of chains, banging OF
heavy doors, human shrieks, groans and
curses, and her very blood seemed to
turn to ice.
At length the morning dawned, and
still she waited After time, her cell
door was opened, and she was led into
the police court. Here she was again
questioned with regard to the jewel.
She told her story in such simple
manner that it could not well be doubted,
and the Magistrate said: Il think she
speaks the truth, for she agrees with her
aunt. She can CO."
The ribbon containing the 1ocket was
again placed around her neck, and she
few from the spot as she would have
done from pestilence.
Soon she entered her own apartment,
and approached the bed. Her aunt
appeared to be sleeping, but her face
was so very pale it attracted the stten-
ton of Cherry. She touched the brow
it was cold and clammy. She uttered
wild cry, and fell seneless, on the
floor. The truth had forced itself
home-her only earthly protector was
dead.
1t was long time before Cherry re-
turned to consciousness; but when she
did so, she slowly arose ond took her
seat upon the foot of the couch. Here
she watched, weeping at first; but, after
time, she could no more weep. Her
eyes appeared to be balls of fire, burn
ing into her brain.
Darkness came on. The wind howled
fearfully, but still Cherry sat by the
cold corpse. She left the apartment,
and reached the street. Swiftly she
speed along, needing not the cutting
blast or those she met, until she stood
upon barge at the rivers bank. Here
she stood for short time, gazing down
into the dark waters; then she uttered
q wild shrek, sprsng forward, and in
moment was plunged into the dark
stream.
But her movements had been watched.
Two sailors were near her and . small
boat was close at hand. Into this they
sprang, and Selling the girl, they drew
her from the river and placed her once
more upon the wharf. She had not lost
her consciousness. and turning away,
she ran up the street with all her speed.
Now her clothing began to freeze
upon her, and soon her limbs were so
fettered by the ice that she was unable
to move, and with q groan she fell in
the street.
An officer was passing at that moment.
and seeing her condition he lifted her in
his arms and bore her to . station-house
near ct hand The icy masses were
out from her body, and she was wrapped
in warmed blankets. Still, she re-
manned unconscious. In doing this.
the officers discovered the jewel, and
again the impression seemed to prevail
that she had stolen it Others believed
that it was family memento, still re-
tanned in poverty, and that the poor
child had seen better days.
The next morning the papers con-
tanned full account of the affair, 20
far q was known. Cherry had become
conscious, but she was very i'll and, Is
yet, unable to speak 30 that no informa-
ton could be gained from her. The
locket was fully described, with the
exception Of two initials marked upon