The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-09-18

stop me?" she concluded, with fright
ened eyes, as if a full realization of the
situation had but just flashed upon
her
The fact is" explained the police
man, this lady wants me TO arrest you
for theft, but may, be you can explain
certain suspicious circumstances.
The girl was white to the lips now,
and the look of despairing fright in her
eyes was pitiful 10 see.
For theft-me-for theft?" she said
with stiff lips.
20, do come where it is quiet" urged
the accuser, looking as distressed as
the accused. and then the three went
into the ferry house.
'Sit down." said Mrs. Spreadbrow,
weakly, when they had reached a quiet
corner of the big ROOM
Thank you, 1 prefer to stand, re-
piled the girl, proudly. And now may
1 ask what you accuse me of stealing?"
II" said Mrs. SDreadbrOw, trem-
bling before the pale little thief" I'VE
think you took Mrs. Townley's purse
out of my parlor this morning; you
were the only person in the room be-
sides myself between the time she left
it there and the time we found it was
gone, and"
MY Cod" murmured the book agent,
dropping into seat and covering her
face with her hands. Presently she re-
covered herself, and turning to the po-
liceman, said: Search my satchel,
please. And you" to Mrs. Spreadbrow,
you may search my person, and may
God forgive you'll
"Oh, my dear, 1 can't-I can't; when
look at you 1 can't be-be-. But
everything's against you" Mrs. Spread
brow'S eyes were full of tears and her
voice trembled.
There amt no purse here but this
one" remarked the policeman, who had
been rummaging through the contents
of the black satchel, holding up slim
pocketbook."
That's mine. Look through it; you
will find just 20 cents" The book agent
spoke very calmly.
That's right" he assented, putting
the purse back. But, of course, the
money may be hid on the lady's per-
son." he added. cautiously.
Here it isl Here it isl" cried pant
ing, but triumphant voice, and Mrs.
Townley. flushed and excited, rushed
toward the trio waving a much-mauled
Russian leather bag, such as some la
dies are fond of carrying their handker-
chiefs and purses in. TT was that
wretched black and white puppy He
must have taken ii out of the parlOr,
and Eddie found him chewing it to
pieces in the garden. Wh-what is the
matter, Hattie :. Tor MIS-. SpreaQDrOW
had dropped into seat and, regardless
of curious eyes, was weeping cOpiously.
"I-I-Pm so sorry. But things did
look so against you. Ple-please for
give me-"
The little book agent wavered a mo-
ment, Indignation, scorn and pity chas-
ing each other across her face. Then
she slipped down beside the distressed
little lady and taking one of her limp
hands, said simply:
Il do forgive you. Pray don't cry
But please, next time you miss any
thing, be sure the black and white
puppy hasn't taken it before you de-
eide that anybody else has" She could
not refrain from this mild shot, and
though it was TREMENDOUSLY aimed, it
did not miscarry but went straight to
Mrs. Spreadbrow's heart, where it has
lodged ever since.
And so it was the black and white
puppy He is sedate dog now and a
great favorite of Miss Amelia Banks
ex-book -agent-who declares that if it
had not been for him she would never
have obtained her present lucrative and
congenial position in Mr.. Spreadbrow's
office, where the painful memories of
her experience as a book agent-and
other painful memories as welfare
fast fading into oblivion.
FRANCES A. SCHNEIDER.