The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1902-08-15

''Do either of you gentlemen believe
that have turned thief In my old
age?"
1--WE don't want to believe It," was
the reply. but letters have been stol-
en-, and you have the money that was
Enclosed in them
| "And yet l am as innocent as either
| of you"
81 hope so. Where did you change
the money"
Il cannot say" he replied, with tight
| ly compressed lips.
do you know who took those let
ters:"
A spasm Of pain crossed the old mans
face, but he quickly recovered.
Il do not know"
Smith and Rugby looked at each 9th
err helplessly. Finally Smith spoke.
YOU know, of course, Mr. Compton.
the gravity of this offense and the pen
atty"
Compton shivered slightly. His voice
was firm, but SO low that the two i'll
spectors could hardly catch the words.
Il know the penalty. yes-prison. It's
useless to have any trial. | will plead
guilty. The less fuss there's over it
the easier it will be or-for-others."
His voice broke on the last word.
The inspectors instantly suspected that
he was shielding the real culprit. Smith
acted quickly. He laid his hand cor
daily on COmpton's shoulder.
''See here, Compton; we can't be-
lieve this of YOU It's our duty to place
you under immediate arrest. but we're
going to give you another chance.
We're going to investigate further. and
We ask only your word that You won't
jump the town"
The old man seemed terror stricken.
He avowed his guilt in piteous tones
and begged to be arrested. but Smith
and Rugby were firm and sent him
from their presence tottering. sob
bling man.
For the next few days, while John
went over his route like one In II
dream. Rugby investigated the life OF
the old carriers daughter. He quickly
discovered that she dressed far above
her station and income and INDUCED in
several expensive vices. Marked bills
were traced directly To her. and when
taxed 10y Rugby she broke down and
confessed. Every morning when her
father stepped into the kitchen for the
cup of coffee which seemed to strength
en- him during the remainder of his
route she had ritled the mail bag as 1t
hung Oh the entry rack. Rugby and
his chief realized that the disgrace of
the daughter would be as fatal to the
Old man uS his own arrest and for
once they failed in their official duty
They forced the woman to sell her
jewels. which We're one of tile pas
sions of her life With the proceeds
they made good the losses of the Mel
son company.
She had been reckleSsly mad for
money. and had neither thought nor
cared for the gray haired man who
fairly worshiped her and was willing
to 20 to prison for her sake. But now
she seemed tn dread the sight of his
white hair, the loving gaze in his eyes.
She finally went to Denver oStensibly
10 visit friends. She never came back.
Old John, who had been simply told
that the real culprit had been dlscOv-
cred. lived on the letters he received
from Denver. If he realized that the
inspectors knew the truth. he never
gave any evidence of the fact. He died
before the daughter, who had plunged
into reckless dissipation in the far
west and had sunk too low to write
the longed for letter. and he never
knew that strange hands. the hands of
men who worked with him and loved
him. would at last lay him To rest and
rear the shaft above his lonely grave.