The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-11-25

much for him and he rushed of break
fastIess for the Dtscribsr Office.
As he mounted the steps he heard a
confusion of voices in the managing cd
itor's Office.
"some ones getting IT" he thought,
as he pushed open the door and walked
in.
Standing in the center OF tho room,
hishand resting on the desk beside him,
stood the managing editor. His face
was flushed and anxious, but deter
mined Tho various sub-editors and re-
! porters stood about in uneasy attitudes.
Miss Tracy was the only ono sitting,
and she leaned back as il faint.
As Joe appeared there was n silence
What had happened? =.
"Here ia Joe see what he has to sRy,"
some one exclaimed.
Joe had braced himself; surely he had
been found out. lie retreated a step rs
ii to fly, but he caught Miss Tracy's
eye fastened upon him with look at
once implofing and confdinS.
Then the managing editor spoke.
''There has been n robbery in the office,
Joe. Several hundred dollars have dis
appeared from the safe since last night
| left the office but for moment; when
came back the money was gone. l
have questioned all the staff but you.
Now, Joe, what do you know about it?
An expression OF relief came over
Joe's face. II dunno nothing" he de-
Ciared.
"But, Joe, just about that time you
came down stairs very quietly. What
had you been doing tnen?"
A flush spread over the boys face.
He glanced about the room. The looks
he met were not encouraging. On some
he read belief in his guilt; on the hated
reporters was triumphant expires
sion.
The whole situation flashed through
Joe's mind. He had been there after
the book. No one would believe him
innocent. He might borrow n book,
but steal money from the DescribcrF
Never!
Joe's face grew white and he swal-
lowed sob; then he turned to Miss
Tracy.
you'll believe me, won't your" he
cried, and his voice shook with eager
ness.
Miss Tracy's eyes filled. Speak the
truth, joe" she answered then. as she
looked steadily into his eyes, she added
firmly, Eyes, Joe, will"
"Then don't care hang for the
rest" and he turned and faced the
group.
~ amt touched the money" he said,
and didn't go into the office, and l
don't know q blamed thing about it.
T"-here his face Redeemed again-'I
did go up into the library, and l took
ono OF the books cause | wanted ter
take it home ter read-'T wasn't square,
l know, but I'm a-going to bring 1t
back; and there want no one in the
office cause heard noise, and looked,
just stood at the door, but there want
one soul there; and then l just slid
down stairs."
"stoe the book, but not the money,
hey? Books arc more valuable, are
they2 A likely story!" and the city
editor gave n short laugh.
Joe turned to him with face ablaze,
but Miss Tracy put her cool hand in the
trembling one OF the boy. 49,.
The managing editor shook his head:
"Joe, come here" he said, aud opened
the door OF the inner office.
Joe gave Miss Tracy look, then
squared himself as for battle and
marched in, his head high in the air
and CLEAN in his eyes.
cts too bad, but of course he took
it. What else could you expectR" said
one.
Eyes" said another, "I'm not sur
prised."
Miss Tracy looked out of the window,
while tear rolled down her cheek.
~ don't believe he did it," said the
exchange editor, settling down to work.
Just then there was quie: exclama-
ton from the inner room, the door
burst open and Joe rushed out. His
face was kindled with excitement as he
walked up to the hated reporter.
sSee there, do you, you sneak? what
do you think OF that?" And he thrust
into his face short red pencil.
The mans face turned rcd as his
hand instinctively went to his vest
pocket, then white as he Gazed at the
excited little figure before him.
eyer didn't know yer dropped it in
the safe, did yer? Better be careful
next time. There it was a-lying there
in the corner snug as if you'd put it
there and there's your mark, too, old
chumpy," and Joe pointed to minute
cut in the end of the pencil. ~
marked 'em all just for fun, yours in
particular, cause l didn't like you; and
now I'm glad l did. / should think
you'd feel kind O. mean, old fellar!"
"Pll sec you n moment, Payson,"
spoke the managing editor from the
door OF his Office, and the young man
bowed him in, while Joe, with zeal,
went to sharpening Miss Tracy's pen
cilu