Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1900-10-25
CHAPTER x1x.-(Continued.)

Miriam steadily for Same seconds; then,
with sigh that showed she had wom-
ans heart, she stopped and took Miriam
in her arms as if she had been child,
and carried her to her room, just over
the station house office.
Cheatham soon appeared, accompanied
by his nephew Sim-a gentleman whom
the police had been watching for very
dong time; the sergeant had himself Sc
}ected a place in ''The rogues' gallery"
which he prophesied should be some day
Glled with Sim Cheatham's picture.
Good afternoon, Sergeant-good after
noon," said Cheatham, all smiles.
The sergeant grunted some response to
the sa1utation land Cheatham, laying one
hand on the desk, sank his voice and
asked:
Have you young woman for steal
ing my wards watch?
eve have the young woman's that's
charged" said the sergeant.
What name did she giye?" y
Miriam Hermann"
Indeed! Could l see herr"
at is against the rules
"fBut if this be Miss Hermann she
should not be held for stealing her own
property. You see, Miss Hermann left
her home some time ago on account Of
some love affair, and have been trying
to find her. l learned through Eli that
this watch was pawned in his place, and
I naturally reasoned that it was stolen,
for Miss Hermann had money"
"Well, you can see her; but | amt got
any power to discharge her. The case is
entered and must come up regularly.
hat on
know laughed Cheatham, 81 am quite
familiar with the law. I can go before
the justice and have the charge disposed
of-or rather withdrawn at once, should
deem it wise to do So"
Miriam, pale and nervous, lay on
lounge when the lawyer entered. She saw
him and rose to her feet; the color came
back to her cheeks and the light of in
dignation burned in her glorious black
eyes.
.eWhat-you, Miss-Miss Miriam ex-
claimed Cheatham, assuming the stage
attitude of a father recognizing his long
J lost child.
If he had any idea of taking her hands,
he changed it on looking into her face;
but he was not easily discounted.
Changing his manner from joy at the rec
ognition to intense sorrow at the long
parting, he bowed his head and applied
his handkerchief to his eyes.
I'VE have searched, and watched, and
waitedr' he sobbed; ''but you could not
be found, and you came not. thought
you dead-robbed and murdered-partlcu-
larly when I learned that your watch
had been pawned. Oh Miss Miriam! l
aave been nearly distracted could
not think that you could have been driven
to this act-you. with your beautiful
home, and everything that heart could
desire! You have been deceived, my
child! cruelty deceived! But [ forgive
you-I forgive you. Come with me
with me, your guardian, and l shall
never refer to this unpleasant episode.
Come, Miriam, come" He reached out
his arms again, but she shuddered and
shrank back from him.
go with your guardian; go-there's
good. dear child" urged the kind-hearted
matron.
"Oh madam cried Miriam. '1ou
know not that bad, cruel man. Were
to tell you all, you would loathe and scorn
him as I do. And if you had not the
power to battle against him, you would
flee from him, as l and my mother have
done"
t'Your mother?" repeated the matron.
s'Poor child poor, foolish child" inter
Dosed Cheatham ''Mr. Hermann's cum
ming housekeeper has imposed on her.
She is the woman who must suffer, il
Miss Miriam does not obey me-"
s'How can she suffer?'' demanded Mi
riam
81 cannot explain to you. The law
must do that. She has laid herself open
to arrest; it is only for your sake that l
may overlook her misdeeds."
At thought of injury to her mother,
Miriam again grew pale and began to
tremble.
go with your guardian urged the
matron again, land if he be as you say,
s the law surely will protect you.
1.-The law protect me-. exclaimed Mi
riam. ut is the law that has cursed
me.'
ooh. you are mistaken" said Cheat
ham. in his oiliest tones "Your mind
has been poisoned But l will save you;
T will save you in spite of yourself
II will not so with you,' she replied
.sWonld you rather stay in the cells
Just beneath our feet a companion OF
the worst felons in this city!
Better be near them than near you.
"T.st him take you out of this horrid
suiace, my child whispered the matron
stWhether right or wrong-guilty or in
nocent, the odor OF prison will cling
forever to your garments.
Miriam held down her head a moment,
then. looking up. suddenly asked:
will you take me to my fathers ply
.,,sa~, nr MafhiS0n ~
'sCertainly-if you desire it." replied
Cheatham.
And you will let an officer go with
,usg"
eff we can get one to do so-yes.'
'sThen I will so with you''
sCheatham went out to see the justice
and withdrew the charges. and Miriam
lay down again on the lounge. with her
hands covering her face.
The lawyer came back in q short time
and told Miriam she was free. She bic