The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1899-06-15


money in an envelope and sent it anony-
mously?" he said, at length.
"You might do that, certainly" re-
piled, after little consideration.
"Bnt she'd be sure to know who
sent it,
"Well, that doesn't matter, as you are
not likely to see her again.
Debenham stopped and turned his
eyes full upon me.
But must see her again. II feel that
| my fate is-er-linked with that girl,
kennion."
"Oh, very we'll; 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!"
| 'Rut don't want her to think that
I'm bad lot
| "Well, she needn't know that you sent
It. You can pretend to be an ordinary
pickpocket."
$50 l can. I never thought of that.
By Jove, it's a grand idea! Where's the
pen 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 of 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 me when I wos down on mi
luck, an noas yer needs it sight more
than I does, yer humble servant, Bill
Nokes."
s'How will that do?" said, as tossed
it across the table.
splendid he cried, as he
ran his eyes over it. Its worthy of Bill
|Sikes 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 it answers? p
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 hak 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 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.
II got it back this morning. the gir
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 mur
INJURED nervously. He must have beer
an honest fellow"
"Yes,' she said. "But the strange
part of it is that by this mornings pos
there came q letter from IA thief, in
closing five-pound note. You car
read it if you like"
And she handed him the precious mis-
sive had concocted.
He read it in feigned astonishment.
II never heard of such a curiou.
! thing" he murmured. Its positivel,
, Isn't it, you know?"
Of course, this childlike attempt a
deception didn't deceive the girl.
'Mr. Defendant" she said, "yo,
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 a pause. Debensam stoot
looking very red and foolish.
"Come, you'd better confess" she sal,
. at length.
), He rumpled his hair in reckles
fashion.
. ut seems impossible for fellow I,
: do good action in this world!" h
, cried. Hes sure to be found out!"
t "Then you did send it?''
: "Ye-es. You see, you wouldn't let m
/ help yon, and 500 it struck me tha
lit would be q capital idea to preten,
5 that / was the thief (the humbug! hi
{ idea, indeed!). II never thought for
I moment that you'd see your purs
d again, and If you hadn't done SO, m
: little dodge would never have come t
r light"
aNo, don't think it would" she an
I swered, '.for that WAS q most realisti
latter you wrote.
4 Dsbenham groanea.