The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-11-17

was also clearly manifest a look of tri-
umphant satisfaction.
''Young ladies'" said Mr.. Adams, adj
dressing his employees, II have rather an
unpleasant subject to introduce this morn
ing, but it is not of my choosing, and I
would prefer to give you an opportunity to
acknowledge your act than to charge you
with it.. Which of you is first here in the
morning."
II believe am, SIR" answered Margery,
70 which the others assented
"Well, l am sorry to report that for some
time past have been missing small sums
of money from the drawer where keep the
change for incidental expenses, and to
which you have all access as occasion re-
quires," continued Mr. Adams. Nov, I
will put it to you formally, Miss Allen, do
you know anything in regard to the miss
ing money!"
Il do not, sir" she replied, lifting her
eyes to his face with look of perfect inno-
cence and truthfulness, while Fred in his
delight and joy could scarce restrain him
self from hugging her on the spot.
Miss Wilson, do you?-or you, Miss
Douglas?-or you, Miss Ferris?"
A most emphatic denial was the unani-
nous response.
"Well," said Mr.. Adams, lit seems that
/, we must resort to some other means to as
certain the culprit. What have you to say,
Fred?"
Merely to ask the young ladies if any of
them recognize any one they know in this"
responded Fred, drawing out small plate
and laying it before them. There was an
excellent photograph of the interior of the
room, and bending over the open drawer Of
the desk in the act of taking some silver
from it was the unmistakable profile, face
and figure of Lottie Wilson.
With startled cry she drew back, COW
ering her burning face with her hands.
IF you will tell me the whole story, I
will let you off with no greater punish
ment than being discharged from my serv-
ice," said Mr.. Adams sternly. otherwise
shall call an officer and hand you over to
him forthwith"
Overcome with terror at this threat, Lot
tie sobbingly confessed that she had been
the thief, having coaxed the housekeeper
to let her in on the plea that she wanted to
get to work early. and then slipping out
again and not returning until after Mar
gerry had arrived, so that if the theft was
discovered suspicion would fall on her.
Mr.. Adams heard her to the end, then,
quietly requesting her to get her hat and
cloak attended her to the door and bowed
her out. Then returning to Margery, who
was standing little apart from the rest.
he said in a tone Of more than wonted kind
ness:
"There is little story connected with
this discovery which there is not a fitting
opportunity to tell here, but if you will al
low my son to escort you to my house this
evening to dinner will be happy to make
you acquainted with my wife, and you can
hear the sequel of this affair"
Margery bowed, too happy to speak after
one eloquent look from Fred's eyes, and
went back to her duties with heart bound
ing high. At the appointed hour Fred &C.
companied her to his home where, after be-
ing introduced to his mother, who took
the orphan girl to her heart and embrace
at once, they told her the story.
''The moment I looked at that window
of the building opposite" Fred said in
conclusion, lit occurred to me that might
make use of it as a point not only of OBJ
servation, but from which 1 could obtain
view of the place and the culprit. By
investigating and experimenting I found
that l could photograph the room accu-
rately. And had a shade put up, leaving
WHY OiO pduC VI Sic1oo CApOScu, III lTOuG Oh
which I could place my machine and do
the work without being seen in return.
I was there this morning by daylight, ar
ranged my apparatus, and about half an
hour before your coming the door opened,
and Lottie Wilson came in. I waited un-
til she was in the very act of taking the
money, as you see, and then secured my
snap shot that vindicated you, my dar-
ling, and has made me the happiest man
alive-all by the aid of that blessed pane
of glass"
He had not intended to make his avowal
of love in such fashion, but his joy and
affection burst from him simultaneously.
and the next moment he had her in his rap
furious embrace, from which she made no
effort to disengage herself
"Goodby, my dear daughter" Mrs. Ad-
ans whispered as she babe her goodby be-
fore resigning her to Fred's care to escort
her home. "You shall be my daughter in
q very few weeks if have anything to say
about it,"
And that she not only had considerable
to say about it, but said it, was evidenced
by the modest but delightful little we'd
ding that took place not long after, at
which Fred and Margery were the princi-
pal parties interested, and if their faces
were any indication the very happiest PEG
pie that could be found anywhere.-Lon-
don Tit-Bits