Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-12-18

| been completed and the pretty book
agent had departed, Mrs. Spreadbrow
returned to her guest with many apol-
ogies for her long absence and bubbling
over with the pathetic romance she
had woven from the materials furnish
| ed by the young girls words and man.
| ner. The two ladies talked over this
| and similar instances until they were
both in fearful state, and Mrs. Town
| ley, to turn the tide Of feeling, pro-
posed going into the parlor and opening
the little package she had brought and
which she said contained some trifles
for the children. THIS proposition was
hailed with joy by Mrs. Spreadbrow.
Mrs. Townley was in the act of untyl g
the last string, when she suddenly be
thought her of her b1aJK satchel, in
which it was her custom to carry her
purse, and which had beea deposited
| with her bonnet and parascl in chair
in the corner of thu room. With the
precipitancy invariably displayed by
her sex at such junctures she rose and
stepped over to it. The bonnie. and
parasol were en- the chair, but not the
satchel.
Are you sure you didn't carry it
into the library?" asked Mrs. Spread
brow, after the parlor had been
searched.
Il know 1 didn't" responded Mrs.
Townley, with tremulous irritation.
But of course we can look"
The satchel was not in the library
nor did it turn up anywhere in the
house, which, with anxious inconsist-
ency, was searched from top to bottom
Mrs. Townley had become very pale
and Mrs. Spreadbrow trembled with ex-
element and chagrin.
ooh, this is dreadful" she said at
last. Il hate to think it possible,
but it must have been stolen. How
much was in the purse?"
"a hundred dollars" replied Mrs.
Townley. Il brought it with me for
safety. But who-who? There has
been no one"
THE little book agent" gasped Mrs.
Spreadbrow. "She is the only person
who has been in the parlor besides my
self since you left it. Is 1t possible
can it be-that that innocent looking
oh, DEAR
But Mrs. Spreadbrow was a woman
OF action, albeit mild and gentle. and
she sprung to her feet, fiercely clinch-
ing her small, soft fists 'I'll follow
her." she cried. do you go one way.
Maria; | will go another, and Della
and the children shall go in other di-
rections. Oh, we will run her down!
The little hypocrite,"
In a few moments the house was
empty of occupants, barring the cook.
who stood with her elbows on the fence
and watched the departing search
party, and the black and white puppy
who in his foolish way growled at and
worried something under the big will
low. With the hot August sun pour
ing down upon their heads the pursu-
ers scurried from house to house while
with what Mrs. Spreadbrow termed
the intense cunning of a thief the
little book agent managed ever to
elude them. At last Mrs Spreadbrow
found maidservant who said she had
seen the girl enter the railway STA
ton, and that if Mrs. Spreadbrow bur-
ried she could overtake her before the
arrival of the train for st. George.
Stationward the anxious lady sped.
her heart palpitating with hope, fear
and indignation, intermixed with a
spice of uncertainty. What should she
do if the girl refused to give I'D the
purse? All, she knew. She would get
on the train, find policeman at st.
George and intercept her as she
stepped on the boat. She reached the
station just in time to see the book
agents skirt whisk through the door
of a forward car. She herself was
hauled on to the last car by an oblig-
ing brakeman just as the train moved
off.
Arrived at st. George, Mrs. Spread
brow hurriedly accosted a policeman.
explained that the young woman in
the gray linen dress carrying the
black satchel had committed a theft
and urged him excitedly to detain her.
The officer hesitated moment, and
then, interposing his portly form be-
tween the young girl and the gang
plank, touched her lightly on the arm
and said, pointing to Mrs. Spread
brow:
DO you know this LADY,"
"Yes-that is. 1 went to her house
this morning, and she was
will you come out of this crowd?"
said Mrs. Spreadbrow, her firmness
suddenly forsaking her. II want to
speak to you"
But l will miss my boat" expostu-
lated the girl nervously. My mother