The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-04-06

| leather case. but there his courage had
failed him. Suddenly he gave a guilty start
and for the first time he noticed that ne
was not alone; a young girl rose from the
depths of the easy-chair In which she hau
been sitting, stretched out her arms. ana
with a sleepy yawn said:
rs that you. BERTHE? 1 think I shall go
to bed"
But something in the attitude of the boy
struck her as peculiar: she looked at the
white. haggard face, the nervous hands.
and springing forward seized his arm eager
~.
BERTHE, what does this mean she cried.
Are you drunk or mad? What are you
going to do with that revolver? Good
heavens, Surely you are not such a coward
as to shoot yourself?"
Its no use talking, Helen; I'm the most
miserable fellow on earth and no good to
anybody, SO I'm better out of it."
sit down. she said. sternly. as she
pushed the trembling figure into the nearest
chair. Now tell me everything; MIND, you
must keep nothing back"
I'm in a worse mess than ever this time,
Helen. Father said he wouldn't pay my
debts again. and threatened to turn me out
the next time 1 displeased him. Well. to
cut a long story short, l owed some money
not a great sum-only $50. but where can
get f5O? l found fathers cheque book,
and think l must have been mad when
l did i'll know l have been mad ever
since. l forged his name and sent of the
cheque by post. but l can't face the dis
grace II l am found out" and the boy burst
into a flood OF tears
Whom did you owe this money tor
said his sister. in a calm voice.
Gilbert Watson; you know what he Is
as hard as stone"
You lost it at cards, I suppossT"
Yes"
When did you post it,"
This morning."
Then he can't cash it before tomorrow.
BERTHE. l shall go and ask him to give it
back to me-. and We must find the money
In some other way"
You can't go tonight. What would peo-
pie say If you We're seen going alone to a
mans rooms at this hour.
Il must chance that. / daren't trust to a
letter. and he is more likely to give it to
me than to you. But one thing more.
BERTHE; can l trust you not to be so fool
ish again." She said with a meaning
glance at the leather case on the table. Il
must have your promise before 1 leave you
alone with that"
Helen. l give you my word of honor that
1 will not touch it,"
rs Mr.. Watson at homer"
Not yet; but l am expecting him every
minute. If you care to wait"
Ahohh Sodp l uiHh L Will. II ia tmnnr-
tant that l should see him as soon as pos
sible.'
Helen telt that the obsequious man-ser-
want eyed her from head to foot as he
showed her into a luxuriously furnished sit
tlng-room. but she knew it was useless to
resent his curiosity. Left to herself, she
paced the room in a fever Of excitement.
glaclng every moment at the clock on the
mantelpiece. until at last she paused be-
fore the writing table and ran her eye care
lessly over Its contents. Her attention was
caught by a pile of unopened letters; in
GREATNESS haste she searched them through.
All. here it is as she recognized her
brothers handwriting and the monogram on
the back of the envelope; and in her excite |
ment she spoke her thoughts aloud. He
has never opened it. BERTHE will be saved"
Putting the letter in her pocket, she rang
the bell for the servant.
1T Is too late to wait any longer" she
explained. 81 will communicate with Mr..
Watson by letter If necessary"
-
The next evening Helen was quietly read
ing in her sitting-room. when BERTHE opened
the door in a state OF great excitement; In
his hand he held a copy OF the evening pa /
per.
Read this" he said. in a choked voice, |
and, thrusting the paper into her hand, he
left the room.
Her eyes Travelled down the sheet and
rested almost Immediately on a paragraph
headed: Daring Robbery; A Woman Sus-
%pected." With Quickened pulse she read 1t |
through.
Close upon midnight last evening a dar-
ing robbery was committed at the rooms of
Mr.. Gilbert Watson, in b street. This |
gentleman was called away on a matter of
business, and in his haste he unfortunately |
omitted to lock one of the drawers of his
writing table, in which he had placed bank
notes to the value of f400. On his return
the notes had disappeared. and on question
ing his servant. who is an old and trusted
attendant. he learnt that during his alb
sence the room had been visited by a lady. |
On hearing that he was out she declared her \
of waiting for his return, but after |
being in the room alone for a few minutes
she changed her mind and left. giving no
AS She was thickly yelled the ser
want was unable to distinguish her features.
but she wore a long purple cloak. trimmed
with ermine. the hood of which was drawn
over her head. The case has been placed in
hands. and it is expected that
the whereabouts of this midnight visitor /
will shortly be disclosed"
MI. Seton is in the drswing-room, miss.
and asks to see YOU" announced the maid, /
as Helen finished reading.
1t was with cheerful face and outstretched
hands that she darted across the
room to meet Frank Seton.
II am so glad you have come" she cried:
Il have been longing to sec you all day. But.
what is the matter? Have l done
anything to offend you?"
You have not offended me. but there is
you must explain. I saw you
night leaving Watson's rooms very
ate. I was passing along the opposite side
Of the street. / could not see your face.
but there was no mistaking your walk or
the cloak you wore. | followed you home
TO make sure you were safe, but / was
not the only person interested in your
for as soon as he had seen YOU
out of the house Watson's servant logged
sour footsteps to this very door. l don't
know what you were doing in that mans
house at such an hour, but. knowing you as
do. ! have never doubted for A moment
hat your reason was a good one. I don't
to force your confidence. but 1 think
ought to trust me"
Have you seen %to-night's paper?'
Not yet"
I'm there you will find that the person
who visited Watson's rooms Is suspected If
fiW in banknotes."
Good heavens. Helen. there is some VII
Amy afioat. Won't you tell me what you
we're doing there"
IT can't; but need I assure you that 7
lever saw those banknotes?"
II don't suspect you for one moment. but
he thing Is serious"
Frank. 1 am going to ask you to do a
,reat thing for me-will you lend me f5o
md not ask what I want 1t for?"
You shall have 1t in less than an hour
am willing to trust you, IL I can help