River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1901-04-11

IL was woman voice. 1t was a
woman's form.
Out into the Office size came. reveal
ing to my astonished and incredulous
gaze the interesting personality Of
Miss Louise Preston, my patrons
youngest daughter.
Without another word she stepped
TO the district telegraph call. adjust.
ed it for the police, and quickly pulled
the lever. just at that moment the
noise of an opening door from the
outer room was distinctly audible.
Papa, papa, hurry, hurry! Mr..
Stanhope has caught burglar" She
ran 10 the office door as she called and
peered into the store. l had to give
my entire attention to my captive
now, as he was becoming very FESTIVE.
Mr.. Preston (for it was hel hurried
into the office and came at once TO
my assistance. 1t was well that he
did, as | was rapidly losing my
strength. Together we soon rendered
the bold miscreant hors du combat.
and held him securely until the no
lice arrived and took him in charge.
We'll, my daughter, Mr.. Stanhope
has caught you at it. Eh?"
II am glad that he came,' answered
the young lady, for I was nearly
frightened to death"
| looked from one to the other,
dazed. Was this the fair spirit"
whom | had been pursuing, and who
was responsible for the excellent con
dition of my books during my alb
sence? | waited impatiently for fur
Their explanation
What about the robber, my dear?"
asked Mr.. Preston, as he passed his
arm around the beautiful girls waist.
She was trembling, now that tho dan
ger vas crcr, ana rale With fright.
ooh, papa, little while after Won
left to get shaved / heard a noise at
one of the windows. [ ran into the
closet to watch. l was not afraid; |
was just little bit timid. [ saw the
man creep into the window and go to
the safe. Then L realized that it was
burglar and became cold as death
with fear. l could do nothing. I
watched him through the crack of the
door, in fascinated silence, as he
worked, and made up my mind to give
the alarm as soon as he was out Of
the store. 1t seemed so long. I be-
gan to fear that you would return, and
knew that he would kill you. Final
ly Mr.. Stanhope came from Il know
not where and sprang upon him.
Oh. shuddered as they struggled
that he would be killed. Then Mr..
Stanhope-well, papa, he needed some
one to ring the police alarm, and l
came out and did it. That is all.
papa"
And it is quite enough. I was a
fool to leave you, darling, for mo-
ment, but we become careless as we
are unmolested and forget our eau
ton. The man must have seen me
leave the Office and took me for the
bookkeeper. He evidently expected to
finish his job while / was absent.
Now, we must put ourselves right
with Mr.. Stanhope"
please do, papa" said Louise, "he'1l
think that l am very bold"
well, Stanhope, to account for this
untimely-or, perhaps, | had better
sage timely, appearance here, l will
say that my self-willed daughter
wanted some practical experience in
bookkeeping. She had already grad
uated from the theoretical school.
The day your first absence occurred
she asked to be permitted to practice
upon your books at night, and, as I
thought, with my help, she might,
perhaps, struggle through it, | weakly
allowed her to come. / told her that
it she muddled you up, she could not
do it again. As you made no COM
plants, concluded the work was sat
isfactory."
1T was all right: 1t was beauti-
fully DONE" | answered. Il wish |
could have such an assistant with me
always
4 bright blush burned in Miss Pres
tons pale cheek as I spoke. and she
answered my look, which plainly said:
May hope?" with one which as
plainly said: "You may"
Il must admit, however" 1 con-
tinued, Il have been somewhat mud
died. I began to fear that was
haunted; and / came down here to-
night to capture, or dispel, the spirit"
"You have succeeded admirably"
said Mr.. Preston.
y
Yes, children, this is your mama's
little romance, which l have promised
TO tell you so often. That happened
a year before we were married, and
went into the firm.
The burglar? Oh, he received the
usual long penitentiary sentence. No
trouble to convict him, as he was
caught in the act.
Later l discovered the cause of the
spirit" rappings in my desk. \ brass
lined ruler was in one of my desk
drawers, poised about the center upon
rubber eraser; mouse had been
using il for a runway
So you see, children, papa's ghost
story was commonplace after all
The Bookkeeper.