Evening journal., 1899-12-07


STOP" exclaimed Mrs Spreadbrow /
I've changed my mind about the book
I'll take it."
'You really need it?" with a percep.
tible Frightening OF the eyes.
Il can't get on without a history for
Eddy l never thought of Sports hav-
ing destroyed the one he had"
When the necessary negotiations had
been concluded 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 I,
woven from the materials furnished by
the young girls words and manner
The two ladies talked over this and
similar instances, until they were both
in fearful state, and Mrs. Townley, |
to turn the tide Of feeling, proposed go
ing into the parlor and opening the
nubbly little package she had brought
and which she said contained some
trifes for the children.
This proposition was hailed with Joy
by Mrs. Spreadbrow. Mrs. Townley
was in the act of untying the last
string, when she suddenly bethought
her other black satchel in which it was
her custom to carry her purse, and
which had been deposited with her bon
net and parasol on chair in the cor
ner OF the room. With the precipitancy
invariably displayed by her sex at such
junctures, she rose and stepped over
to get it. The parasol and bonnet were
on the chair, but not the satchel.
Are you sure that you didn't take
it into the library?" asked Mrs. Spread
brow, after the parlor had been search
ed.
Il know / didn't" responded Mrs.
Townley, with tremulous irritation.
But Of course we can look
The satchel was not in thelibrary, the
only room occupied by the ladies since
Mrs. Townley's arrival; nor did it turn
up any where 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 1t
must have been stolen. How much
was in the purse"
"A hundred dollars" responded Mrs.
Townley 81 brought Il 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 il possible
can it be-that innocent-looking-
dearl"
But Mrs. Spreadbrow was woman
Of action, albeit mild and gentle, and
she sprang to her feet fercely clench-
ing her small. soft fists. "lll follow
herl" she cried Do-you go one way.
Maria; l will go another, and Della and
the children shall go in the other direc-
tiOns. o. we will run her down! The
little hypocritel"
In a few minutes the house was emp
tied 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 pursurers
scurried from house to house, while
with what Mrs. Spreadbrow termed
"the intense cunning of a thief," the
little book agent managed TO elude
them.
servant who said that she had seen the
+, girl enter the railway station and that
, if Mrs. Spreadbrow hurried she could
overtake her before the arrival Of ths
train for St. George. Stationward the
anxious lady sped. fear and indigna.
ton, intermixed with a spice OF uncer'
, taiuty.
What should she DO If the girl refused
. to give up the purse? All, she knew;
she would get on the train, find po.
liceman at 81. George, and intercept hei
as she stepped on the boat.
She reached the station just in time
/. to see the book agents skirt whisi
! through the door of forward car; sh'
herself was hauled on to the last car b,
an obliging brakeman, just as the trail
moved off.
Arrived at st. George. Mrs. Spread
brow hurriedly accosted' a policeman
explained that the young woman in thu
gray linen dress, carrying the blacl
! satchel, had committed a theft, ant
urged him excitedly to detain her Tn
|. officer hesitated a moment, and thei
interposing his pOrtly form hetweel
= the young girl and the gang plank
touched her lightly on the arm AM
!. said, pointing 70 Mrs. Spreadhrow:
do you know this lady2"
"Yes-that is, I went 10 her hous
this morning and she was"
l "Will you come out Of this crowd?
said Mrs. Spreadbrow, her frmnes
'' suddenly forsaking her, y want {
speak to You.
But I will miss my boat" expostu
lated the girl nervously. My moohe
will be waiting for me and-what ca
. you mean by calling a policeman t
= stop me?" she concluded with frighten
u ed eyes, as II a full realization of tn
situation had but just flashed upon hel
s /, THE fact Is" explained the police
J. man. "this lady wants me to arrest yo
for theft, but maybe you can explai
y certain suspicious circumstances"
= The girl was white to the lips nov
Il and the look of despairing fright in he
eyes was pitiful to see.
u For theft-me-for theft?" she sal
l. with stiff lips.
20, do come where it is quiet" urge
u the accuser. looking as distressed as tn
le accused and then the three went int
the ferry-house.
le "Sit down" said Mrs Spreadbroy
y weakly. when they had reached qui'