Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-02-09

the parlor had been searched.
81 know I 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 Inconsistency, was
searched from top to bottom. Mrs. Town
ley had become very pale and Mrs. Spread
brow trembled with excitement and cha
grin.
"Oh, 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. II brought it with me for
safety. But whO-who? There has been
no one''-
'The little book agentl" gasped Mrs.
~Spreadbrow. "She is the only person who
has been in the parlor besides myself since
you left it. Is it 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 clinching her
small, soft fists. "Ill follow her." she
cried. "Do you go one way, Maria; I
will go another, and Della and the chill
dren shall go in other directions. Oh, we
will run her down! The little hypocritel'
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 willow. With the hot August sun
pouring down upon their heads the pur-
suers scurried from house to house, while
with what Mrs. S%preadbrow termed 1.-THE
intense cunning of a thief" the little book
agent managed ever to elude them. At
last Mrs. Spreadbrow found a maidserv-
ant who said she had seen the girl enter
the railway station, and that if Mrs.
Spreadbrow hurried she could oyertake
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 up the purse? All, she
knew. She would get on the train, find
a policeman at st. George and intercept
her as she stepped on the boat. She reach
ed 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 obliging brakeman just
as the train moved off.
Arrived at St. George, Mrs. Spreadbrow
hurriedly accosted a policeman, explained
that the young IN in the gray liner.
dress carrying the black satchel had COM
mitted a theft and urged him excitedly to
detain her. The officer hesitated a mo
ment, and then, i~nterposing his portly
form between the young girl and the
gangplank, touched her lightly on the
arm and said, pointing to Mrs. Spread
brow:
"Do you know this lady9"~
"Yes-that is, l went to her house this
morning, and she was
"Will you come out of this crowdP" said
Mrs. Spreadbrow, her firmness suddenly
forsaking her. I'll want to speak to
you"
"But l will miss my boat, " expostulat-
ed the girl nervously. MY mother will
be waiting for me, and-what can you
mean by calling a policeman to stop mep"
she concluded, with frightened eyes, as if
a full realization of the situation had but
just flashed upon her.
"The fact lie" explained the policeman,
this lady wants me to arrest you for
theft, but maybe 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 to see.
"For theft-me-for theft?' she said,
with stiff lips.
ooh, do come where it is quiet" urged
the accuser, looking as distressed as the
accused, and then the three went into the
%ferryhouse.
"Sit down." said Mrs. Spreadbrow
weakly, when they had reached q quiet
corner of the big room.
"Thank you, l prefer to stand, " replied
the girl proudly. "And now may I ask
what you accuse me of stealing?"
"I-I," said Mrs. S%preadbrow, trem-
bling before the pale ''little thief, 1--WE
think you took Mrs. Townley's purse out
only person in the room besides myself be-
tween the time she left it there and the
time We found it was gone, and"-
my God!' murmured the book agent,
dropping into a seat and covering her face
with her hands. Presently she recovered
herself, and, turning to the policeman,
said: SEARCH my satchel, please. And
you," to Mrs. ~Spreadbrow, 'you may
search my person, and may God forgive
you!"
"Oh, my dear, l can't can't; when !
look at you, l can't be-be- But every
thing 8 against you" Mrs. Spreadbrow's
eyes were full of tears and her voice trem-
bled..
''There amt no purse here but this
one,' . remarked the policeman, who had
been rummaging through the contents of
the black satchel, holding up a slim pock,
etbook.
''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 person." he add.
ed cautiously.
"Here it is! Here it isI'' cried a pant.
ing but triumphant voice, and Mrs. Town
ley, flushed and excited, rushed toward
the trio waving a much mauled Russian
leather bag, such as some ladies are fond
Of carrying their handkerchiefs and purses
in. SIT was that wretched black and
white puppy. He must have taken it out
of the parlor, and Eddie found him chew
ing 1t to pieces in the garden. Why, what
is the matter, Hattie - for Mrs. Spread
brow had dropped into a seat, and, regard
less Of curious eyes, was weeping copi.
ously.
"I-I-I'm so sorry. But things did
look SO against you. Ple-please forgive
me-"
The little book agent wavered q mo
ment, indignation, scorn and pity chasing
each other across her face. Then she slip
ped back beside the distressed little lady,
and, taking one Of her limp hands, said
simply:
II do forgive you. Pray don't cry. But
pI,oao nevt time von miss ANYTHING ha