Gulf Coast breeze. [volume] (Crawfordville, Fla.) 1897-19??, 1898-03-04
A WOman'S Little Game.

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} and, owing 20 the personal attacks of
the opposition, | was rather prejudiced
against him, as he came under my
charge. His daily demeanor and
daily conduct were, however, beyond
any fault-finding Reports from my
deputy proved him q model prisoner.
The hunt for the money did not cease
when the prison door shut him in. At
least ten detectives were constantly at
work to discover where and how it
had been transhipped, and the state
was ready to pay $50, 000 to the lucky
man. Every day or two some of these
detectives wanted an interview With
the prisoner, and, while their requests
were generally granted, the deputy
warden was always present. Nothing
of moment was gained from Day, and
/ had about become tired of the bust
ness when a new face appeared
One day as l sat in my office read
ing an abusive article in an opposition
paper and half inclined to tender my
resignation before shutdown, q lady
WIGS admitted. l was not over Is sec
onds in making up my mind that che
was the handsomest woman L ever
saw. She was about % years of age,
q natural blonde, and her eyes were
melting and her cheeks like peaches.
l will honestly admit that | was
gone on her even before she handed
me the card which gave her name as
Jeanne Lancaster. She was from Chi
cago aud had called to inquire about
Charles Day. She had scarcely men,
toned his name when she began to
weep. If you have ever been an old
bachelor you will understand how
quick the heart of such q man mets
under the tears of good looking
young woman. 1 began to speak
soothing words, Of course, and pres
ently she grew confidential and made
confession. She was an heiress, while
Day was but a poor young nan. They
met they loved-they became on
gagged. She would have welded him
in his poverty, but lie wouldn't have
it that way. He went out to make
his fortune before claiming her, and the
first good thinghe struck was the state
treasury. Miss Lancaster had read
all about it and had been almost brok-
cn-hearted. While she had put Day
out of her heart as being unworthy of
her, she yet felt like having few last
farewell words with him.
BY the time the pretty little womsn
was through talking and smiling and
crying, l was ready to put brotherly
arm around her and speak words of
consolation. Indeed, WREN diScov-
cred that her engagement was "off,"
| came very near Offering her my
heart and hand rs n substitute. Moth
ing restrained me but the fear that I
had not known her long enough to in
spire the proper trust and confidence
which good girl shoIld have. at
once granted her the privilege Of a
private interview with Day. That is,
she was allowed to enter his cell. the
door Of which was left open. and con-
verse with him while guard waited
within call. The interview lasted half
an hour, and there was much weeping
and promising and protesting. The
young man didn't want to be thrown |
down just because he had stolen $780, |
600 and been sentenced TO 20 years in !
prison. The girl was obdurate. how
ever, though it broke her heart over
again to tell him that he need no
longer hope When she came ont, her |
handkerchief to her eyes and sob in
her throat, she sat down in the Office |
to collect herself and then said
Il want Charles 10 restore that |
money and have been pleading with
him to do so. If l can have one or
two more interviews with him think
can accomplish my object
| jumped foot high aud told her |,
she could interview him every day for
month. He knew where the money
was. Of course, and if il was restored !
through any effort of mine the tax
payers of the state would carry me
around on their shoulders as reward.
Not only that, but the oftener Miss
Lancaster came the oftener | should
see her and the deeper l should be in
love. She came next day at the same
hour, held another fearful interview,
and when 1t was over she said to me;
CHARLES has almost made up his
mind to confess, but still hesitates. He
has sister of whom he is very fond
and if you don't mind her l will bring
her in 10 help me plead with him"
| didn't mind, of course. Ii he had
four or five favorite sisters | should
have been glad to have them all in to
coax the secret out of the rascal. Day
10 lie very much broken