The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-08-18
Our Unsuitable Crime
hnLD MAN, want your advice.
Debenham broke piece OF 81
And How 1t Ended

OtOcuuAih oiohS P'
lence that had lasted some ten
minutes or SO, and during which he had
sat frowning at the fire, pulling al MS
briar in that erratic fashion which de-
notes a perturbed mind. l had been
studying his face through haze OF to-
bacco smoke, and, being prepared for
his words, answered that he was well
come to the best counsel l could give,
wLcreupon. he thanked me very ear
nestly and threw himself back in his
easy chair.
"It's rather curious affair."" he be-
gan, diffidently. ut happened last
night. wanted to go out to Bayswater
to see my old nurse, who lives there.
took the bus at Oxford Circus. AS
dare say, you remember it was nasty
night, wet and foggy. and the vehicle
was soon full; in fact, by the time we
.eached Westbourne Grove there was
only room for another. Here we picked
up our last passenger. She was young
lady,"
''And Of course, you contrived that
she should sit by you" said.
'You would have done the same your
SELF" Debenham retorted. ANY man
would, for she had the sweetest face.
It's haunted me all night-it has. really.
l dare say she was about IS, or perhaps
2O-not more. She had brown eyes,
very brown eyes-you know, the kind
that seem to speak. almost-and they
were shaded by long lashes. She has
brown hair, too; the kind of hair that
twists into lot of curls-natural curls,
you know. wonder why all girls don't
wear their hair that way. Then her
mouth-her mouth"
"Never mind her mouth" / inter-
posed, hastily. seeing that he was about
to indulge in an eXtravagant flood OF
rhapsody. 1T was an ideal mouth.
haven't doubt, and I'm sure that her
chin was all that chin ought to be,
but these special features, | take it,
have nothing to do with your story"
"Well-er-not exactly, but you'd I'M
derstand fellow ravirg about her il
you'd seen her. OF course, cant make
you understand what she was like.
She WAS the sort of girl you feel yon
can never describe"
Just SO: a regular unique specimen.
| know the kind"
Indeed You don't, for there isn't an
other girl in London like her."
"Well. well, then. there isn't" l re-
turned impatiently The fact was Deb
enham had come to my rooms so often
with the same story that it was becom-
ing trifle n.onotonous.
''She sal down next to me-" he went
on. There wasn't much room, and
she thanked me when moved. She had
the sweetest voice."
"Well. there's nothing curious about
that. believe you said"
I'm coming to it if you'll only give
me time" he returned. in an nggrieved
tone. you've no patience. 1t was
when the conductor came round for
fares. Then she felt for her purse: she
found it was missing. At first she
thou;rht she must have dropped it, and
searched the floor and under the seat
However, it wasn't there. Poor girl! I
never saw anyone 50 distressed in my
life. 1t seemed she had five pounds in
it, and it wa. evidently quite fortune
to her. We'll. paid her fare for her,
andwe got out together"
81 don't think you need tell me any
more" said. dryly.
Debenham stared.
"Why not?"
because know the rest"
"How the
"Yes. l do. You lent her the five
pounds, Of course. My dear fellow,
you've been had"
81 didn't do anything of the kind!"
Debenham retorted, holly. "She
wouldn't let me. That's what came to
ask your advice about thought that
as you were a lawyer you might be able
to suggest something, but wish I'd
never mentioned it to YOU"
OF course | hastened to soothe his
ruffled plumes. and in little while he
went on with his tale. 1t appeared that
he had seen her home, and that he had
learned her name. 1t was Charnley-
Kate Charnley. She was dressmaker
and lived with her sister.
And you want to help them, eh 2"
said, after time.
"Yes, but it'll be difficult matter.
They're clergyman's daughters, and
very proud. | don't see what can do
It's awfully riling, you know. Kennion,
to have a pile of money and not be bile
to do a little good with it once in way
It's a shame that this girl should have
to slave at a sewing machine all day
while a great strong beggar like me
lounges around killing time"
''Isuppose you want to refund this five
pounds?"
Eyes, can't do more; but I don't
even see how can do that"
well, you might order a 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
"Rut | haven't got sister, and If ]
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 INTERVIEWED. Debenham had
risen, and was pacing the floor in state
of pcrplexity.
How would it be if 1 inclosed the
money in an envelope and sent it anony-
mously2" he said. at length.
You might do that, certainly" re-
Piled. after little consideration.
ABut she'd be sure to know who
sent il.
! "Well. that doesn't matter NJ uor, -