The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-09-11

stools with a rather sulky air, while !
went to the private Office and knocked
gently upon the door.
"Comc IN. =
The b, ad of the Grm was busily en-
gagged al his desk as ! entered, but he
presently turned 20 me and nodded per-
mission to address MIN.
"Mr. Mathews is outside, sir, began
,"Weli?'
~ wss standing IN a corner bit ago.
watching the clerks stow away the Jew
eiry and gems in Their cases preparatory
TO locking them W for the night, ana
glancing at one wdose back was toward
me, saw bis elbow 20 up and his hand
made swift motion toward bis vest
pocket. He was benaing over tray oil
unset diamond, ar.ar ging them IN their
pouches, and presently ] saw the mot on
repeated. It was enough 10 convince me,
sir, thai you arc beng robbed, but
waited quietly until The man was gong
out, and then asked him TO remain few
moments, as you wished to speak TO HIM.
1T was Mr. Matthews. sir.
During his specch, Mr.. Forsythe was
watching me intently, and / was rather
surprised 10 observe al it's conclusion that
although MY ia.e had doubtless Interested
him, be appeared 20 he thinking OF some
thing else. / stood for a few moments
watching the preoccup ed look upon his
face. he was hand omely dressed, port
ly gentleman OF about sixty years with
nearly bald head, whiskers of pure white,
ruddy complexion, and large, keen
gray eyes
TO ask. after somewhat lengthy pause.
He routel himself, nodded gravely and
replied
'sCcrtainlyl Ask him to step in. And
remain within caii.
returned 10 Mathews. He was looking
Q bit anxious ana uneasy, but he walked
into the oiiice without word. The last
clerk but HIM had left the store. / bolt
ed and locked ali he doors.
In about fiye minutes Mr.. Forsy he APP
peared at his office door, flushed and an
gry..
foolish. / have searched this poor boy al
his own request, and there il no stolen
property upon him. He declared he is
wholly innocent Now, sir, what have
ycu 10 say Tor yourseii?'
'iisre is his hat, sir" / answered,
quietly
ellis hat? Well. sir?
lie left IL on the showcase where he
was sitting. The diamonds are inside the
bend
Mlthews gave a cry and fell on his
knees begging for mercy. He sobbed and
wept. declared Il was his first theft, aud
asked 10 be spared for his mothers sake.
With fine scorn upon his handsome face
and then, removing the gems, he handed
the fellow his nat, saying:
"You may 20. You are dismissed. but
shall not prosecute you. Remember that
mother when you are next tempted to be-
come a thief.
As soon AZ Mathews had gone he took
his own coat and hat from the wardrobe.
''Come 10 me nj two O'Clock tomorrow
afternoon, Andrews. he said, and hur-
ried away, evidently put out by the oc-
currence.
II was a little advents~e in my dull
life, and teeling trifle proud OF my tall
ent ns an amateur detective, j resolved
10 call upon Josephine the next day at
noon, and tell her my story. Josephine
was my sweetheart. Her father, Nj. Jules
Cropeau. was ostensibly seller Of French
books and publications on West 18th
street. He was quiet. scholarly appear
ing man, evidently gentleman, and con-
veying the impression that mis- birth was
better than his calling. MY room was in
an upper story OF the same building oc-
cupied ~ NJ. eroneau, and a. / seldom
slept later than noon, albeit my work oc-
cupied ise al. the pight, had formed the
acquaintance OF father and daughter by
dropping In at the shop; and soon becom-
ing desperately I'm love with Josephine /
bad come % ind nearly every afternoon
. IN her society. | often wondered how
NJ go 1fau mana ycd TO live, for people
IN starch Of fTencn publications are rot
nnufofoLs In New York and the few Gus
TONERS who dropped I'm, though mostly
comlatriOts, were treated SO coolly by the
proprietor Of the sOmewht dingy little
fbOp that they seldom came again, and
the business seemed TO ianguish while NJ.
croneau grew apparently more prosper
Gus daf by dars
Josephine wae real beauty-no need
to.avow that-snd sweet ana modest and
wcInsfy.
She tended the stores duty her father
seemed rather ayerse 10. and | fancied
my visits were welcome a. a relief from
the elfnui OF her position, even II she did
not regard me IN q stu better light.
We were seldom Interrupted in our lete-
1tctcs, as NJ. Cronau spent his time
rbife "a bone I'm back storc-roofn, par
dtioned OF from the front; out very often