Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-12-22

uCT VI uCI UuCh C&tCuCi III Within "
was her custom to carry her purse,
and which had been deposited with
her bonnet and parasol in a chair 10
the corner Of the room. With the
precipitancy invariably displayed by
her sex at such junctures, she rose
and stepped over to get it. The par
asol and bonner were on the chair,
but not the satchel.
"Are you sure you didn't take ii
into the library asked Mrs. Spread
brow, after the parlor had been
searched.
81 know | didn't" responded Mrs.
Townley, with tremulous irritation.
But of course we can look"
The satchel was not in the library,
the only room occupied by the ladies
since Mrs. Townley's arrival; nor did
it turn up anywhere in the house,
which with anxious inconsistency
was searched from top to bottom.
Mrs. Townley had become very pale
and Mrs. Spreadbrow trembled with
excitement and chagrin.
20, this is dreadful, she said at
last. IL hate to think it possible,
but it must have been stolen. How
much was in the Durse?"
"a hundred dollars" replied Mrs.
Townley. IL brought it with me for
safety. But who-who? There has
been no one"
1.-THE little book agent" gasped
Mrs. Spreadnrow. "Sne is the only
person who has been in the parlor
besides myself since you left it. Is it
possible-can 1t 'be-that Innocent
looking-O, dear!".
But Mrs. Spreadbrow was woman
Of action, albeit mild and gentle, and
she sprang to her feet, fercely
clenghlng her small soft fists. "l'll
follow her!" she cried. DO you go
one way, Maria; will go another,
and Della and the children shall go
in the other directions. 0, we will
run her down! The little hypocrite!"
In few moments the house was
emptied 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 willow.
With the hot August sun pouring
down upon their heads the pursuers
scumed from house to house, while
with what Mrs. Spreadbrow termed
"the intense cunning of thief" the
little book agent managed to elude
them.
At last Mrs. Spreadbrow found a
maid servant who said she had seen
the girl enter the railway station and
that if Mrs. Sprcadbrow hurried she
could overtake her before the arrival
of the train for st. George. Station
ward the anxious lady speed, her
heart FACILITATING with hope, fear and
Indignation, intermixed with spice
of uncertainty.
What should she do if the girl re-
fused to give up the purse. All, she
knew; she would get on the train,
find policeman at st. George. and
her as she stepped on the
boat.
She reached the station just in time
to see the book agents skirt wh'sk
through the door of a forward car;
she herself was hauled on to the last
car by an obliging brakeman, just
as the train moved off.
Arrived at st. George Mrs. Spread
brow hurriedly accosted policeman,
explained that the young woman in
the gray linen dress, carrying the
black satcheI, had committed a theft,
and urged him excitedy to detain
her. The officer hesitated moment,
and then interposing his porIly form
between 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. | went to her house
this morning and she was"
"Will you come out of this crowd?'
said Mrs. Spreadbrow, her firmness
forsaking her, Il want to
speak to you"
"But will miss my boat" expos
uated the girl nervously. My moth
ar will be waiting for me and-what
IAN you mean by calling a policeman
to stop me?' she concluded with
eyes, as if full realiza-
lion of the situation had but just
dashed upon her."
"The fact is" explained the police.
nan, this lady wants me to arrest
,ou for theft, but maybe you can ex-
,lain certain suspicious crcum-
stances"
The girl was white to the lips now,
md the look Of desparing fright in
Ter eyes was pitiful to see.
"For theft-me-for theft?" she
aid with stiff lips.
20, do come where 1t Is quiet"
Urged the accuser, looking as dis
ressed as the accused and then the
hree went into the ferry house.
"St down. said Mrs. Spreadbrow,
weakly, when they had reached
|uet corner of the big room.
THANK you, prefer to stand" re-
died the girl proudly. "And now
nay ! ask what you accuse me of
tealing?"
IL" said Mrs. Spreadbrow,
rembling before the pale little
hlef," 1--WE think you took Mrs. |
'ownley's purse out of my parlor
his morning; you were the only per-
on in the room beside myself be-
ween the time she left it there and |
he time we found it gone and"
INV GO6l" mtrmure1 the book /