The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1899-05-19
Our Unsuitable Crime
And How 1t Ended
HOLD MAN, 1 want your advice"


Debenham broke piece of 81
lence that had lasted some ten
minutes or so, and during which he had
sat frowning at the fire, putting at his
priar in that cratic fashion which de-
notes a perturbed mind. 1 had been
studying his face through haze of to-
bacco smoke, and, being prepared for
his words, I answered that he was well
come to the best counsel I could give,
whereupon he thanked me very ear
nestly and threw himself back in his
easy chair.
''It's a rather curious affair."" he be-
gan, ditfidently. cit happened last
night. 1 wanted to go out to Bayswater
to see my old nurse, who lives there. L
took the bus at Oxford Circus. AS l
dare say, you remember it was nasty
eight, wet and foggy, and the vehicle
was soon full; in fact, by the time we
reached 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.
y
SELF" Debenham retorted. ANY man
would, for she had the sweetest face.
It's haunted me all night-it has, really.
dare say she was about 1S, or perhaps
.O-not more. She had brown eyes,
1ery brown eyes-you know, the kind
that seem to speak, almost-and they
we're shaded by long lashes. She has
brown hair, too; the kind of hair that
twists into a lot of curls-natural curls,
you know. wonder why all girls don't
wear their hair that way. Then her
nouth-her mouth
Never mind her mouth" 1 inter-
posed, hastily, seeing that he was about
to indulge in an extravagant flood of
rhapsody. ut was an ideal mouth,
haven't doubt, and I'm sure that her
shin was all that chin ought to be,
out these special features, take it,
nave nothing to do with your story"
e"Well-er-not exactly, but you'd un-
3erstand fellow raving about her if
you'd seen her. OF course, can't make
you understand what she was like.
She was the sort of girl you feel you
ian never describe"
'Just SO; regular unique specimen.
know the kind"
Indeed you don't, for there isn't an
other girl in London like her"
''Wen, well, then, there isn't" re-
turned impatiently. The fact was Deb
enham had come to my rooms so often
with the same story that it was becom-
ing trifie monotonous.
''She sat down next to me" he went
on. There wasn't much room, and
she thanked me when I moved. She had
the sweetest voice."
"Well, there's nothing curious about
that. believe you said"
me time," he returned, in an aggrieved
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
thought she must have dropped it, and
1 searched the floor and under the seat.
However, it wasn't there. Poor girl! I
never saw anyone so distressed in my
life. 1t seemed she had five pounds in
it. and it was evidently quite a fortune
to her. Well, paid her fare for her,
and we got out together"
81 don't think you need tell me any
more" I said. dryly.
Debenham stared.
"Why not?"
because know the rest"
''How the"
Eyes, do. You lent her the five
pounds, of course. Ny dear fellow,
you've been had"
-.sI didn't do anything Of the hnd!"
Debenham retorted, hotly. "She
wouldn't let me. That's what came to
ask your advice about. thought that
rs you were = lawyer you might be able
TO suggest something, but I wish I'd
never mentioned it to YOU"
OF course i FASTENED to soothe his
eufFled plumes, and in q 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.
-sAnd you want to help them, Ell p
said. after time.
"Yes. but i'm b difficult matter.