The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1901-10-02


The child, all unconscious, took her
father another step nearer prison.
only the day before this day" she
said. 'and was s'prised. Il just
couldn't fink who II was. But mother
knew, and she cried and 1t made her
iller, and the doctor was very ang'y."
Where is your fatherY asked Mar
low.
The child's eyes dilated a little.
He mustn't be 'sturbed," sne said.
He's wifi mother and mothers drefful
Ill. That's why he came back all in
such hurry"
She stopped looking up at the detec-
tive with eyes that almost unnerved
him. Perhaps something in his face
began ut last to impress itself upon
her baby mind. for a sudden droop
came to her lip.
Il 'spects fathers very bovered,"
she said, slowly.
At that instant the cottage door was
flung open and manlooked out. When
he saw NARROW he made a half-move-
ment backward and then altered his
mind and stood still.
NARROW looked at him and recog-
nized his man. This was Fred En-
berson, the thief; this was the man
he had come to catch-this was the
man whose capture meant $500.
And between them stood child
whose mother was very i'll.
She turned delightedly.
"Why, there's father" she cried.
Detective NARROW took a step for
ward and Emberson, suddenly making
up his mind, came down the little
tagged path.
81 know who you are" he said
hoarsely. "and I know why you've
come. | suppose it's all up; but I
couldn't help it, and perhaps after
ward-the old man will forgive her"
He jerked his head backward.
Have you guessed who she is?" he
asked. Did Mr.. Ritchie guess? Per-
haps he'll take care of her when
| when I'm shut up. But never meant
| to take the money! shouldn't have
| dreamt of 1t If she hadn't been so ILL.,
| They say she-7she's almost dying. and
we had hard work to live on the sal
| airy Mr.. Ritchie gave me-and |
| couldn't help 1t. It's saved her per-
haps. got down last night. and I
got her everything | could-all the
| luxuries could; but she doesn't know
| stole the money. She mustn't know
| till she's well again. The neighbors
will look after her, and | want you
to take me quietly, so that nobody
| will see. admit everything, I'll ad-
nit everything to Mr.. Ritchie. but I
| did 1t for her, and perhaps when he
| knows she's his daughter he'll forgive
her and take the child. | can 60 I'll
promise never to trouble them again.
but it was the thought of her dying
that made me do 1t"
He broke off abruptly and turned
back to the cottage.
| Let me wish her goodby," he said
huskily. You'd better come in"
He pushed open the cottage door
with a weary air.
| ITS the end Of everything" En-
berson went on. "Mr. Ritchie trusted
me for a year-I served him faithfully
and perhaps he will remember that,
for her sake. went to him on pur-
pose-my wife and | arranged to try
to get his forgiveness in that way II
we could. 1t seemed the only way. and
it might have been all right If / had
not been mad at the last, but | had a
telegram saying how i'll she was and
could not help 1t. I-I-did not stop
to think
81 went to him year ago, for the
child's sake. My name isn't Ember-
son, of course, but | couldn't 60 In
my right name lest he should recog-
giveness first. 1t hasn't answered
But he'll take care of her-and the
child. Oh, God knows, he surely
couldn't refuse to take care of her and
the child"
He faced round eagerly to the de-
tective, and NARROW, suddenly, curl
ously weak. held out his hand, ant
made a bewildering remark.
I'm hanged if I'll take the $500.
he said.
He has said since that he is no
Of the stuff of which detective should
be made for he did not arrest thu
thief after all. Instead, he waited til
the morning, and then they dressed
the child in her Sunday best, and HI
caught the first train back and tool
her to see her grandfather
What he said to him do not know
How he went to work I cannot tell
but when he went back to Staybridg
the old man went with him. And whel
Fred met them at the cottage doc
Ritchie had the child in his arms.
He looked into Fred's face and thel
held out his hand.
Its half my fault" he said. 81
hadn't refused to see you at first
five years ago, when my daughte
wanted me to-you wouldn't have ha'
the temptation. see now how crue
/ have BEEN"