Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-01-11


"Yes, sir. am sorry, but over
slept myself"
Cup late last night-had beau,
perhaps?" suggested John, roguishly.
"No, sir !" retorted Annie, prompt
ly, and rather snappishly, for, even
though he was the nephew of William
Dart, the great shoe man, and the
prospective heir to all his wealth, she
considered he was taking liberty, 'es-
pecially before strangers. Perhaps
pretty and prim little Annie had some
other reason, too, for resenting his re-
mark.
"Pretty GIRL" said ono of the
strangers after she had passed.
eyes, assented John, "and about
the neatest, quickest girl ever in the
work room" and then the stranger be-
gan talking again very earnestly as be-
fore Annie came up the steps.
"Well," " said John, "of course you
may satisfy yourself, but 1 can tell
you beforehand there is not one of
our girls whom we do not trust. 1t
will take you about all day, for they
live in all directions from here, if you
have to search their rooms. As uncle
says | must go with you in that case,
the sooner it is over the better for
me. " Then they all three went up
stairs to the girls workroom.
"Will those who stopped at Dingus's
iewelry store last night on the way
home from work please stand up?"
TDh hal -
up, while John took down their names
and the number of their rooms, and
the detectives watched each face keen.
ly. So far no one was disturbed by C
guilty conscience. After ascertaining
beyond doubt that all who had been
IN the store reported, John an
nounced:
1--WE have received word that val
liable amount of jewelry was stolen
| from this firm last night at about the
hour you were there, therefore sus.
picion has fallen upon you, and each
girl must allow her room to be
searched if the goods are not preyi-
ously found upon her person.
So the search began. A quiet,
trusty girl, much older than the 9th.
ers, and who had not beer with them
the evening before, was appointed to
conduct the personal investigation in
another room. One after another left
the work room toreturn in o few min.
utes declared innocent, until the off
GERS were satisfied none OF the goods
were at the factory.
"Now," said John, when the last
girl had returned. evil each one o.
you give me your key in turn, for
must accompany this officer in hi!
search while the other remains here.
'Not this morning?" spoke uF
Annie Velga, quickly, while the smart
detective felt the jewels in his grasp
so to speak. and the reward in hi
pockets. John looked surprised
some said he turned triae pale as
he looked into Annie's flushed, guilt,
face.
eyes, of course, this morning." h
answered gravely. "What differenc
is it, Miss Annie?"
None" answered Annie, hastily
but as John took her key, the detec
tive thinking it best to search he
room at once, instead of in her turn
she burst out crying and seemed 81
broken down the remaining officer fel
justified in placing her under arrest
John had visited Annie's room be
fore, just once, not many evenings be
fore. He had taken book to rea
and small basket of fruit, thinkin
that as neat way to begin her court
ship as any. He had thought, as h
left that evening, it was the prettiest
brightest little room he had ever seen
far exceeding any in his uncle's gran
mansion. He had little thought tn
next time he climbed the stairs t
J room No, 80 would be upon such