The Holly chieftain., 1899-05-19

It's shame that this girl should have
to slave at sewing machine all day
while a great strong beggar like Inc
lounges around killing time
Il Isuppose YOU want to refund this five
pounds?"
"Yes, l can't do more; but I don't
even see how ! can do that"
well, you might order gown of
some sort from them"
Don't be an ass; men don't buy
gowns"
You could say it was for your sis
ter"
''But | haven't got sister, and If j
had she'd never let me choose her gowns
for her; besides. she'd have to be fitted
on and all that, you know"
| was obliged to admit the force of
these arguments, and fresh period of
silence intervened. Debenham had
risen, and was pacing the floor in state
of perplexity.
How would it be if I inclosed the
money in an envelope and sent il anony-
mously?" he said, at length.
You might do that, certainly" re-
piled, after little consideration.
But she'd be sure to know who
sent it,"
We'll, that doesn't matter, as you are
not likely TO see her again"
Debenham stopped and turned his
eyes full upon me.
whats that? Not see her again?
But must see her again. II feel that
my fate is-er-linked with that girl,
kennion."
'Oh, very well: then that squashes
the idea entirely, unless. Look here,
why not assume the character of the
thief yourself, and send her letter say
ing you have repented and return the
money!"
But don't want her to think that
I'm bad lot"
We'll, she needn't know that you sent
it. You can pretend to be an ordinary
pickpocket."
80 | can. I never thought of that.
BY Jove, it's grand idea. Where's the
pen and ink? What shall say? Give
us lift. old chap. You're a dab hand at
this sort of thing"
took up my pen. and, after a little
thought. dashed off the following let
ter:
''Derc Miss: This is from me, the
bloke wot TUX yer purse sens the muny
bak bekause yer father wos once very
kind ter me when / wos down on mi
luck, an ! noas yer needs it sight more
than ] does, yer humble servant, Bill
Nokes."
How will that do?" / said, as tossed
il across the table.
'Splendid--splendid!" he cried, as he
ran his eyes over it. Its worthy of Bill
Skies himself. I'll send it off this very
minute" And he thrust it in an en-
velope in company with a five-pound
note.
You'll let me know how it answers ?'
| said, as he 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 1t happened
that a matter of business took me in the
vicinity of Defendants chambers, and,
having half an hour to spare, 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 hasty glance showed me
that he was engaged. young lady was
standing by the table, facing Deben-
ham, who looked as guilty as any school
boy caught in an orchard.
II 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"
II 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 letter from "a thief, in
| closing five-pound note. You can
read it il you like"
And she handed him the precious mis-
sive had concocted.
He read It in feigned astonishment.
Il never heard of such curious
thing" he murmured. Its positively
Isn't it, you know?"
/ OF course, this childlike attempt al
deception didn't deceive the girl.
mfr. Debenham," she said, "you
wrote this letter; you sent this note"
81? Really, Miss"
| "Oh, yes you did. It's no use denying
it. No one else knew of our loss"
There was pause. Debensam stood
looking very red and foolish.
Come, you'd better confess" she said
at length.
He rumpled his hair in reckless
fashion.
1T seems impossible for a fellow tc
do n good action in this world!" hi