Evening journal., 1899-10-27

Il can't get on without a history for
Eddy. / never thought of Sports hav-
ing destroyed the one he had"
When the necessary negotiations had
been concluded and the pretty book
agent had departed. Mrs. Spreadbrow
returned to her guest with many apol-
ogies for her long absence and bubbling
over with the pathetic romance she had
woven from the materials furnished by
the young girls words and manner.
The two ladies talked over this and
similar instances, until they were both
in a fearful state, and Mrs. Townley,
to turn the tide of feeling, proposed go
ing into the parlor and opening the
nubbly little package she had brought
and which she said contained some
trifies for the children.
This proposition was hailed with Joy
by Mrs. Spreadbrow. Mrs. TOwnley
was in the act of untying the last
string, when she suddenly bethought
her of her black satchel in which it was
her custom to carry her purse, and
which had been deposited with her bon
net and parasol on a chair IN the cor
ner of the room. With the precipitancy
invariably displayed by her sex at such
junctures, she rose and stepped over
to get it. The parasol and bonnet were
on the chair but not the satchel.
Are you sure that you didn't take
it into the library?" asked Mrs. Spread
brow, after the parlor had been search
ed.
Il know I didn't" responded Mrs.
Townley, with tremulous irritation.
But Of course we can look"
The satchel was not in thelibrary, the
only room occupied by the ladies since
Mrs Townley's arrival; nor did it turn
up any where in the house, which with
anxious inconsistency was searched
from top to bottom. Mrs. Townley had
become very pale and Mrs. Spreadbrow
trembled with excitement and chagrin.
20, this is dreadful" d" she said at last
IL hate to think IL possible, but it
must have been stolen. How much
was in the purse?"
"A hundred dollars" responded Mrs
Townley. Il brought It with me for
safety. But who-who? There has been
no one"
THE little book agent" gasped Mrs
Spreadbrow. "She is the only person
who has been in the parlor besides my
self since you left it. Is it possible
can it be-that innocent-looking-O
dearl"
But Mrs. Spreadbrow was a woman
OF action, albeit mild and gentle, and
she sprang to her feet, fercely clench-
ing her small, soft fists. "I'll follow
heri" she cried. DO-you go one way.
Maria; will go another, and Della and
the children shall go in the other direc-
tiOns. o, we will run her down. The
little hypocritel"
In few minutes the house was emp
tied 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 pouring
down upon their heads the pursurers
scurried from house TO house, while
with what Mrs. Spreadbrow termed
"the intense cunning Of a thief the
little book agent managed to elude
them
At last Mrs. Spreadbrow found a maid
servant who said that she had seen the
girl enter the railway station and that
If Mrs. SpreadbrOw hurried she could
overtake her before the arrival of the
train for st. George. Stationward the
anxious lady sped, fear and indigna-
ton, intermixed with a spice of uncer-
tainty.
What should she do if the girl refused
to give up the purse? All, she knew;
she would get on the train, find a po-
liceman at st. George, and intercept her
as she stepped on the boat.
She reached the station just in time
to see the book agents skirt whisk
through the door of a forward car; she
herself was hauled on to the last car by
an Obliging brakeman, just as the train
moved off.
Arrived at st. George. Mrs. Spread
brow hurriedly accosted a policeman,
explained that the young woman In the
gray linen dress, carrying the black
lsatchel, had committed a theft, and
urged him excitedly to detain her The
officer hesitated a moment. and then
tnterpOsing his pOrtly form between
She young girl and the gang plank,
touched her lightly on the arm and
said, pointing to Mrs Spreadbrow:
do you know this lady2"
''Yes-that is, went to her house
this morning and she was"
"Will you come out of this crowd2'
said Mrs. Spreadbrow, her firmness
suddenly forsaking her, Il want to
| speak to YOU
But l will miss my boat" expostu-
lated the girl nervously My mother
will be waiting for me and-what can
I you mean by calling a policeman to
/ stop me?" she concluded with frighten-
ed eyes, as if full realization of the
situation had but just flashed upon her.
The fact is" explained the police
man, this lady wants me to arrest you
for theft, but maybe you can explain
certain suspicious circumstances"
The girl was white to the lips now,
and the look of despairing fright in her
eyes was pitiful to see.
For theft-me-for theft?" she said
with stiff lips
co. do come where it is quiet" urged
the accuser, looking as distressed as the
accused and then the three went into
the ferry-house.
"Sit down." said Mrs. Spreadbrow,
weakly, when they had reached a quiet
corner of the big room.
Thank you, / prefer to stand" re-
piled the girl proudly. "And now may
/ ask what you accuse me OF stealing?"
Il" said Mrs. Spreadbrow. trem-
bling before the pale little thief" 1--WE