Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1901-02-28

was ACTUALLY stopping her.
Il did not see it done, and I am il
hurry to catch train,'' she said
hastily. II have no information to give
about it.''
Inc policeman grinned.
Il suppose not, miss. But you must
come with me.''
go with you: SWhy? Wheref"
"As II you didn't know, Miss! To th,:
station-house, of course This lady
has given you in charge, and you must
go there and be searched
Marian turned pale.
"1ou are wronging me terribly" she
said to the lady, who only tossed her
head scornfully
Gomez said the policeman.
L am innocent: I have never seen
the purse! am just from the coun-
try, and am going to Boston to take
a place in school," said Marian. try
ing to keep back her tears. Indeed.
madam, you are terribly mistaken"
she added, turning again to the lady,
who NODDED to the policeman and
promised to meet him at the police
station in ten minutes. II am re-
spectacle school-teacher. My name is
Marian East, and 1 have-'
Marian East" repeated a voice il
the crowd, which was gradually col
lecting outside the group Of three.
The next moment the nervous lady
and the policeman were pushed un-
tremendously aside, two warm,
friendly hands. took Marian's, and a
handsome, dark-eyed man was smiling
down at her protectingly.
"Miss East! How delighted I am to
meet your said the genial voice OF
George Elphinstone-the voice that
she had learned to love so well. 81
have been travelling in Europe con-
stantly for year past, on business for
client, and have been moving SO
rapidly that it was quite hopeless for
letters to follow me, and returned
only yesterday morning, and to-mor-
row I was going to our friend Ga.:-
lord to ask your address. And here I
meet you like this! But is anything
Wrong?"
The important policeman was look
ing strangely crestfallen, as he
watched this warm greeting to Marian
from a gentleman whom he knew very
we'll. But the nervous lady held her
ground, and, in a few words, repeated
to Mr.. Elphinstone the charge she had
made against Marian.
absurd nonsensew said Mr.. Elphin-
stone, Indignantly. "Here. PetersoDv'
He said few words to the police.
man, who seemed to know him very
| we'll and respect him highly, and ignor-
ing the nervous lady's complaint, he
| handed Marian to carriage and
drove away.
Straight to his partners house they
went, and in the charge of his part
ner's wife Mr.. Elphinstone left
Marian, while he went with the police
man and the nervous lady before the
police magistrate, and explained the
case.
| Within an hour he returned, bring
ing Marian's unchecked luggage from
the railroad station with him.
LAS for that school in Boston, have
a word to say" he remarked to
Marian, that evening, when Mrs. Gay
lord considerably sat, with her hus
band, in the next parlor, well out OF
the range cf the curtained arch. IL
have q better situation for you"
But the Boston place is very good
one." said Marian, innocently.
"But you will have so many pupils
to look after. In the place I offer
you will have but one, and he vii
give you as little trouble as possible
What do you say, Marian? Will yof
teach your husband how to be goof
and happy man?"
Tears rose to her pretty eyes as h
drew her head down upon his shoul
der.
ooh, you will never know how mucl
I have cared for your she murmureG
'and thought you had forgotten me.
''I was only waiting, love, till hat
a fit home to offer you" he said, as Ii
kissed her.
And in her heart Marian secret.
blessed the nervous lady, and th
policeman, and the missing purse
Saturday Night.