The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-10-12

the home of Mrs. ]. Warren Thurston,
252 West Central avenue. %t95<$
For two weeks she has enjoyed the
luXuries Of the ThurstOn home, during
which time she has posed as a deserted
orphan, with no one in the great wide
world to care for her. She aroused, the
motherly sympathy of Mrs. Thurston
and was taken into the family circle
with open arms.
But Mary Stroberg's butterfly exist
ence came to an end yesterday, when
her fairy tale and romance Of her pitt
full loneliness was proved untrue by the
appearance of the girls father.
She was taken to her home last night
and there was rejoicing in at least one
household at Crystal Lake.
Is Given Up for Dead.
The story of Mary Stroberg's depart
ure from her home Is at the least
unique. And her methods used to OBJ
tain a new home in a large city would
credit one more advanced in years and
experienced in the ways of the world
Two weeks ago Friday Mary disap-
peared from her home at Crystal Lake.
Not the slightest clue to her where
abouts was obtainable. It was the
greatest mystery that Southern Min
nesota had known in years. Not only
did 1t battle the police departments OF
the small cities, but the large detective
agencies all over the country were I'M
able to give a satisfactory solution OF
the case.
Numerous were the theories adVanc-
ed and many false clues were run
down, but without producing even re-
mote results. Murder, abduction and
suicide were among the many beliefs
entertained by the girls relatives and
friends.
So complete was her disappearance
and so absolutely fruitless the search,
that John Stroberg, the young woman's
father, finally gave his daughter up
for dead, offering a reward for the re-
covery of her body
But such was not the case. While
the girls parents We're suffering mental
! agony she was supremely happy at
Thurstons. There she. received the
| kindly sympathy of Mrs. Thurston and
the other members of the family.
"And 1t was all so queer" said that
| motherly woman last night. Marie
says It's a little romance, but I sup
| pose 1t was only one Of those funny in
cidents which everyone meets during
! life.
Her Ways Unique.
1.-TWO weeks ago." continued Mrs.
| Thurston, Il was returning from a
met the girl. She was alone on the
train.
1--WE were not more than five miles
/ from Lake Crystal when she came to
my seat and asked If she might sit be-
side me. Bless her, the little creature
was crying as If her heart would
break. I put my arms about her and
inquired the cause Of her grief.
'It was a long time. before she could
stop her tears, but finally she said a
man had told her I was going to ST.
cry?' I asked. There was another
shower of salt water, and then finally
found, by repeated questioning, that
| the child was an orphan. AT least
| that's what she told me, and she was
SO earnest that I did not disbelieve
her for one moment.
"'And what are you going to do in
st. Paul?" 1 asked. Work in hotel
or restaurant, she promptly replied.
that I thought 1t pity to throw her
upon the world.
$50, after thinking it over, decided
| to bring her to my home, and when
proposed it to her little Mary's eyes
| frightened and she almost devoured
me with caresses. Then she told me
that her name was Mary Off, and that
she had worked for a short time in a
hotel at Lake Crystal. She also in
formed me that her father was, when
alive, a cigar manufacturer.
Her Bubble Bursts.
when the girl was at our home a