Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-02-16


boat.
She reached the station just in time
to see the book agents skirt whisk
through the door of aforward car; she
herself was hauled onto the last car
by an obliging brakeman just as the
| train moved off.
Arrived at st. George, Mrs. Spread.
brow hurriedly acs,sted policeman,
explained that tbp young woman in
the gray linen Eress, carrying the
black satchel, had committed theft,
and urged him excitedlyto to detain her.
The officer hesitated a moment, and
then interposing his portly form be-
tween the young girl and the gang
plank, touched her lightly on the arm
and said, pointing to Mrs. Spread.
brow:
DO you know this lady?"
"Yes-that is, I went to her house
and she was"
"Will you come out of this crowd?"
said Mrs. Spreadbrow, her frmness
suddenly forsaking her, ct want
to speak to you"
"But I will miss my boat" ex.
postulated the girl nervously. My
mother will be waiting for me and
what can you mean by calling police
man to stop ne?" she concluded with
frightened 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 ex-
plain certain suspicious circum-
stances"
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.
20, 10 come where it is quiet, {"
urged the accuser, looking as dis.
tressed as the accused, and then the
three went into the ferry house.
"Sit down." said Mrs. Spreadbrow,
weakly, when they had reached q
quiet corner of the big room.
"Thank you, prefer to stand" re-
Piled the girl, proudly. "And may I
ask what you accuse me of stealingP"
I'll" said Mrs. Spreadbrow,
trembling before the pale "little
thief" 1--WE think you took Mrs.
Townley's purse out Of my parlor this
morning; you were the only person
in the room beside myself between
the time she left it there and the time
we found it gone, and"
"My God!" murmured the book
agent, dropping into o seat and cover
ing her face with her hands. Presently
she recovered herself, and, turning to
the policeman, said: "Search my
satchel. please. And you," to Mrs.
Spreadbrow, "you may search my
person; and may God forgive your
80, my dear, 1 can't can't; when I
look at you can't be-be- But
everything's against you" Mrs.
Spreadbrow's eyes were full of tears,
and her voice trembled.
"There amt no purse here but this
one," remarked the policeman, who
had been rummaging through the
contents of the black satchel, holding
up slim pocket book.
'"That's mine. Look through it,;
you will find just twenty cents" The
book agent spoke very calmly.
'"That's right" he assented, put.
ting the purse back. "But, of course,
the money may be hid on the lady'a
person, he added cautiously.
"Here it is! Here it isl" cried
painting but triumphant voice, and
Mrs. Townley, flushed and excited,
rushed toward the trio waving a
much-mauled Russian leather bag,
such as some ladies ere fond of carry.
ing their handkerchiefs and purses in.
''It was that wretched black and
white puppyl He must have taken it
out of the parlor, and Eddie found
him chewing it to pieces in the
garden. Why, what is the matter,
Hattie?" for Mrs. Spreadbrow had
dropped into seat, and, regardless
of curious eyes, was weeping copiously.
"T-I-I'm so sorry. But things
did look so against you. Ple-please
forgive me-"
The little book agent wavered q mo-
ment, indignation, scorn and pity
chasing each other across her face.
Then she slipped down beside the
distressed little lady and taking one
of her limp hands, said simply:
81 do forgive you. Pray don't cry.
But please, next time you miss any
thing, be sure the black and white
puppy hasn't taken it before you de.
eide that anybody else has"
She could not refrain from the mild
shot, and though it was TREMENDOUSLY
aimed, it did not miscarry but went
straight to Mrs. Spreadbrow's heart,
where it has lodged ever since"
And SO it was the black and white
puppy! He is u sedate dog now and
q great favorite of Miss Amelia Banks
-ex-book agent-who declares that
if it had not been for him she would
never have obtained her present
lucrative and congenial position in
Mr.. Spreadbrow's office, where the
painful memories of her experience as
a book agent-and other painful
mem ories as welfare fast fading into
oblivion. Globe.