The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1899-09-05

But must see her again. IL feel that
my <lte 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
hief yourself, ADD send her letter say
pg you have repented and return the
poney2"
"But don't want her to think that
m bad lot"
We'll, she needn't know that you sent
You can pretend to be an ordinary
|ickpocket."
so | can. I never thought of that.
BY Jove. it's grand ideal Where's the
IPen and ink? What shall 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:
"Dere Miss: This Is from me, the
Ploke wot TUX yer purse sens the muny
Rak bekause yer father wos once very
nd ter me when | wos down on mi
ok. an noas yer needs it sight more
pan ] does, yer humble servant, Bill
okes."
How will that dor / said, as tossed
across the table.
Splendid-splendidi" he cried. as he
ran his eyes over it. .It's worthy of Bill
Skies himself. III send il off this very
minute" And he thrust il in an en-
velope in company with fye-pouud
note.
You'll let me know how ii answers?"
said. as be took up his hat.
"Oh, yes" And then, with 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, | deter
mined TO call and see If he had heard
anything in connection with his plot.
AS was about to enter his sitting
room, however, l heard the sound OF
voices. and 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 be 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 IA thief. in
closing fve-pound note. You can
read it if you like"
And she handed him the precious mis-
sive | had concocted.
lie read it in feigned establishment.
Il never heard OF such a curious
! thing" he murmured. Its positively
Isn't it, you known"
Of course, this child43ke attempt at
deception didn't deceive the girl.
MIR. Defendant" 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 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 good action in this worIdl" 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 capital idea TO pretend
that | was the thief" (the humbugl his
] idea, indeedD. 81 never thought for u
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, 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, indeedl
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 forgivel 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 your 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.
+ II 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-morniug. he held her
4 fingers and said nothing, but just
stared at her in moonstruek kind of
way that WIS quite idiotic, and she
/ dropped her head like a little silly and
? ~. L.