Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1899-05-17

DeDennam stopped ana turned ms
eyes full upon me.
What's 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 a letter say
ing you have repented and return the
money!"
But 1 don't want her to think that
I'm a bad lot
well, she needn't know that you sent
lit. You can pretend to be an ordinary
pickpocket."
$50 | can. l 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 a 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
bloke wot TUX yer purse | sens the muny
bak bekause yer father wos once very
kind ter nae when l wos down on mi
luck, an l noas yer needs it sight more
than l does, yer humble servant, Bill
Nokes."
How will that do?' I said, as tossed
it 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 ~
1 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 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-
boy caught in an orchard.
Il 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 a letter from "a thief, in
closing a five-pound note. You can
read it if you like
And she handed him the precious mis-
sive L had concocted.
He read it in feigned astonishment.
81 never heard of such a curious
thing" he murmured. Its positively
Isn't it, you know"
Of course, this childlike attempt at
deception didn't deceive the girl
MIR. Defendant" she said, ''you
wrote this letter; you sent this note.r
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 to
do a good action in this world" he
cried. Hes sure to be found out!''
''Then you did send it?''
Xn,, coo wa, x.,o,,11,,& To- ,~,~
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, indeedO. 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, 1 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!
II do hope you will let me keep it as
a memento?"
''Ies-ifyou 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,' she cried.
Il shall never forget your kindness"
And as she gave him her hand she
blushed in a 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 moonstruck kind of
way that was quite idiotic, and she
dropped her head like little silly and
went the color of peony; then. But
at this point l couldn't stand it any
longer, and l quietly withdrew.
OF course, L was not in the least as
tonished when Debenham rushed into
my chambers the same afternoon and,
with a good deal of stammering, con-
fessed that he was engaged. He seemed
quite amazed when / betrayed no sur
Ill L