The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1899-06-01


why not assume the character of the
ing you have repented and return the
money!
But l don't want her to think that
| I'm a bad lott
well, she needn't know that you sent
it. You can pretend to be an ordinary
pickpocket."
so l can. 1 never thought of that.
BY Jove, it's grand idea! Where's the
pen and ink? What shall l say? Give
us lift, old chap. You're dab hand at
this sort of thing"
took up my pen, and, after little
thought, dashed off the following let
! ter:
Deere Miss: This is from me, the
bloke wot TUX yer purse l sens the muny
bak bekause yer father wos once very
| kind ter me when l wos down on mi
| luck, an | noas yer needs it a sight more
than l does, yer humble servant, Bill
| Nokes."
How will that dog I said as tossed
| it across the table.
Splendid-splendid." he cried, as he
ran his eyes over it. It's worthy of Bill
Skies himself I'll send it off this very
minute And he thrust it in an en-
velope in company with five-pound
note.
You'll let me know how 1t answers ?"
1 said, as lie took up his hat.
"Oh, yes" And then, with a hasty
good night, he went flying down the
stairs to catch the post
The following morning it happened
that matter of business took me in the
vicinity of Defendants chambers, and,
having half an hour TO spare, l deter
mined to call and see if he had heard
anything in connection with his plot.
As l was about to enter his sitting
room, however, l heard the sound of
voices, and a hasty glance showed me
that he was engaged. A young lady.was
standing by the table, facing Deben-
ham, who looked as guilty as any school
boy caught in an orchard.
81 got it back this morning" the girl
was saying. "a man who is employed
on the railway picked it up as he was
on his way to his work.
Il am very glad" Debenham muir
INJURED nervously. He must have been
an honest fellow"
YES she said. "But the strange
part of it is that by this mornings post
there came a letter from IA thief, in
closing a five-pomd note. You can
read it if you like
And she handed him the precious mis-
sive l had concocted
He read it in feigned establishment.
Il never heard of such a curious
thing" he murmured. It's positively
Isn't it, you llnow?"
Of course, this childlike attempt AT
deception didn't deceive the girl.
MIR. Debenham,' she said, you
wrote this letter; you sent this note"
Il? Really, Miss"
"Oh, yes you did. It's no use denying
it. No one else knew of our loss
There was a pause. Debensam stood
looking very red and foolish.
Come, you'd better confess she said
at length.
He rumpled his hair in a reckless
fashion.
1T seems impossible for a fellow to
do a good action in this world!" he
cried. Hes sure to be found out!"
Then you did send it?"
Wees. You see, you wouldn't let me
help you, and $3.50 it struck me that
it would be a capital idea to pretend
that | was the thief'' (the humbug! his
idea, indeedD. Il never thought for a
moment that you'd see your purse
again, and if you hadn't done so, my
little dodge would never have come to
light"
NO, l don't think it would" she an
swered, for that was a most realistic
letter you wrote
Debenham groaned.
You can't think what an effort it
cost me- he said.
What an effort, indeed!
81 do hope you will let me keep it as
a memento?'
''Yes-if you will promise to forgive
me?'
"Oh, there is nothing to forgive! 1t
was very good of you"
AT this moment L caught glimpse of
her face, and | was forced to admit that
Debenham had some reason for his eX-
travagant praise.
And you will not think the worse of
me for-for trying to deceive you?" he
went on. Really, he was getting posi-
lively absurd, from his voice one would
have supposed that he was prisoner
suing for his life.
''Oh, think better of you'll" she cried.
81 shall never forget your kindness. -
And as she gave him her hand she
blushed in ridiculous fashion.
Then Debenham made an ass of him.
self. Instead of simply shaking hands
and saying good-morning, he held her
fingers and said nothing, but just
stared at her in a moonstruck kind of
way that was quite idiotic, and she
dropped her head like little silly and
went the color of a peony; then. But
at this point | couldn't stand it any
longer, and l quietly withdrew.
OF course | was not in the least as