La Junta tribune., 1899-01-25

ltH t00 R8UplRtbo0Cy baNoSAo@sNy SsPAAy
d ~ her ssx at such junctufss she ross
end stopped over 70 get Il Tho paznsol
end bonnet weso on tho chair bus noe the
eAtchei II
+ Ara you SURE you didn't take II into
the iibraryf" asked II rs Spreadbrow after
the parior had been searched
II know didn't" responded Mira
Towniey with trsmuious irritation. but
! q course We can look.
The xatchei was not In tho library, nor
did IL turn UP anywhere In the house,
which. with anxious Inconsistency, was
searched from top to bottom MN. Town
ley had become very pale and Mr.. Spread
brow trcmbled with excitelnent and cha
grin. ssts i fs
..Oh. this is dreadful" she said at last.
I'll hate TO think It possible, but IL
must have been stolen How much was
In the purser"
"A hundred dollars" replied Mr..
Townley. II brought is with me for
safety. But who-whoi There has been
NO ONE
'.The littis book agenti'' gaspcd Mira
Sprcadbrow, ''She Is the only person who
you left it. IL It possible-can Il be--that
that innocent looking-0h. dear.
But Mrs. Sprcadbruw was . woman Of
action albeit mild and gentle, and she
sprung to her feet, hercely ciinching her
small soft flsts I'm follow her, 7" she
cried. do you go one way. Maria;
will go another. and Della and the chill
dren shall go In other directions Oh. we
will run her downi The little hypocrite'
In 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
I pouring down upon their heads the pur
suers scurried from house to house, while
with what Mrs. Sprcadbrow termed tho
intcnse cunning Of thief the little book
agent managed ever to elude them At
last Mrs. Sprcadbrow found maidserv-
ant who said she had seen the girl enter
the railway station. and TINT II Mrs
! Sprendbrow hurried she could oyertake
her before the arrival Of the trnin for st
Goorge Stationward the anxious lady
sped. her heart palpitating with hops, fear
and Indignation, intermixed with a spice
OF uncertainty. What should she do II the
girl refused To give up the purssf All, she
knew She would get on tho trnin, find
| policeman at st George and intercept
her an she stepped on the boat She reach
Cd the station just in time 70 aee the book
agrnt's skirt whisk through the door OF a
forward car. She herself was hauled on to
the last car by All obiiginx brakeman just
~ the train moved on.
Arrived at st. George. Mrs Sprcadbrow
hurricsily accosted n policeman. explained
that the young woman In the gray linen
dress carrying the black sntchel had com
misted theft and urged him excitedly to
detain her Tho officer hcsitated q mo
ment. and then, Interpreting his portly
form between the young girl and the
gangplank. touched hor lightly on the
arm and aaid pointing 70 Mrs. Spread,
brow: tlz 5tfsefe
do you know this iadyf'
'Yes-that is, I went 70 bsr house this
morning. and she was
..Will you come out Of this crowdf" said
Nrs spreadbrow, her nrmneas suddenly
forsaking hcr Ill want 10 speak TO
| you.
bot i will miss my b0as. sxpontulat.
ID sAe eirl psfsously my ni1sber viii
b WaiSine To-, me. and-whAf cAn you
| mean BY calling q policemAD 20 stop mef'
she concluded, with frightened eyes. ~ II
full realization of the situation had but
just flashed upon her.
"The fsst t.. !" explained the policeman,
this lady wants me to ARREST you for
theft, but maybe you can explain cestain
Tho girl Was white to the lips now. and
the look Of. dcspniring fright in her eyes
wss pitiful 70 see
"For theft-me-for thefts" sbs said
with stiff iips
..Oh, do come whore It IL quiet, I urged
tho accuser, looking as distressed = the
accused, and then tho three went into the
| ferry yhouse
Sit down. said Mrs. Spreadbrow
weakly. when thcy had reached . quiet
corner Of tho big room
THANK you. prefer 70 stand. replied
the GIRL proudly "And now maV ] ask
what you ACCUSE me Of stenlings's
ell" said Mrs. Spreadbrow, tem-
bling before the pale .'little thisf, 1--WE
think you took Mrs Townley's pusss out
Of my parloF this morning You wae the
only psrpon In the room besides mypeR b.
tween the tims she left II theFo md the
time We found Il was gone, and
my Godi" murmurcd the book iagent,
dropping into . seat and covering ~ face
with hsr hands Presently she recovered
herself, and, turning to the poliosman,
said: search my sntchel, plsess. And
you." to Mrs Spreadbrow, "you may
search my psrsop. and may God tusgive
your eeass
s.Oh, my deaR, csn't-l can's; when
| look at You, can't be-be- But every.
| thing's against you" Mra. SprsadbFnw .
eyes wsre full u tears and her voice tssm-
hlsd
sThess ain't no purse hsrs but this
ON" remarked tho policeman, who had
beeo summaging through tho coatsnts Of
ehs blank ssschel. holding up ~ pock-
| e1book
"Tbss's mine Look through n; you
Win and inst 20 csnts-" Tho book agent
4 - H. - ".
AThst's right, I" ~ aasented, put11Ag the
purse back. ''But, Of course, TIE money
may b hid ON ths lady's persor, " - add-
4 "a eautioasly.
"Hees IL isf HereI II Isl" cris1 ! pant
| iDg bat tsiumphant voice. and Mr. 10wn-
~, flushed and sxcited, ruahe6 ftDWard
tl,e. tri6 waving = much rnaulcd eaatan
i Snktxne 49, sssah - Ansua 1aflfnE - fond