The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1903-04-18


good figure, rather handsome, faint IN.
dications of mustache. HIM, think
know the party; been under suspicion
before" Then there was silence for |
a space. while scratch, scratch,
went the pen.
THAT is all the information you
have, them" he said at last, looking
across at me.
''An with the exception OF the pho
tograph," l replied, taking out my
pocketbook and fumbling among its
leaves for the picture. 1t was growing
quite dusk in the Office and coulo
scarcely see. "Here it isl" exclaimed.
handing it over to the detective and
feeling confused at my remissness IN
not showing it before.
Whatever he thought about my stu
pidity cannot tell, for in few min
utes found myself in the streets with
the mans last words ringing in my
ears:
"We'll let you know, sir, as soon ~
we have anything worth telling" !
The next day called upon Doiiie,
told her what I had done, and also
warned her that, though the detec'
tives were on Miss Firman's track, she
must not hope too much.
"a woman like that win have good
many DISCUSSES" l added, land be
past mistress in the art of eluding the
police"
Well, about a month went by and ]
had heard no good news from the pc.
lice. when one morning Twas startled
to receive wire from them saying
| that the bird was caught.
Never had neater case in my life"
exclaimed the delighted detective.
Living in one of the best streets with
| party she calls her aunt. About as
much my aunt as hers" he interpolated
| with a chuckle. "She's safe enough
now, and aunty is with her to keep her
company. And now, sir" he added,
will you step this way and identify
| herr"
Il can't identify her," replied; ~
have never seen the woman in my life
but will bring my cousin. ! suppose
she can do all that is necessary"
Dollie was much excited when told
her my mission, and evidently believed
that she herself was going to be tried
and imprisoned for theft. 1t took me
all my time to reassure her, and she
trembled like leaf as she was ushered
into the room where the prisoner sat OF
rather crouched. 1t was not an ordi.
nary prison cell, but looked dark.
/ gloomy, bare, and cherries enough to
be the real article.
We stood for a moment or so until
our eyes became more accustomed to
the semi-dusk And then-was I GO
ing mad or dreaming? Was that Dollie
who was kissing and cuddling her late
companion, all the time murmuring
words of endearment? Suddenly the
prisoner raised her head and saw
not the linaments of Miss Lucy Firman
those portrayed in that unlucky photo.
graph, but the face of the most rarely
beautiful girl had ever seen in my life
face which seemed strangely familiar
and yet one which would have sworn
I had never beheld before. Burning
wrath took possession of me to think
OF what that delicate girl must have
suffered, my anger rose to boiling
point.
"You IDIOT" ] shouted, turning to
the detective. "What do you mean BY
such conduct as this?"
"There is evidently some mistake,
he answered, in confused way. "Ant
yet / am not to blame"
This young lady is my sister-in-law
Miss Leslie" here broke in Dollie.
Sand you'll have to answer for you
behavior, both to her brother and me,
interrupted seriously.
The detective glanced at me Will
calm contempt.
"Let me explain" he said. address
ing himself courteously to both young
ladies'. Madam" he continued. III
not this your photograph"
Miss Leslie bent forward and looket
earnestly at the bit of cardboard. II
u.s." she answered quietly. but wher
did you get it?"
Before the man had time to repl.
nv recollection returned to me; m.
; sin of six months before had found m
out. The pretty painted photo whicl
III had deliberately stolen from m.
: friends house was likeness Of Mis-
Leslie, whom had never seen. An
that photo had given-inadverteutly
true; but still I had given ito
sleuth hound Of the law in order t
hunt the original down. And well b
/, had performed his task. Alasi too vel
do not care to dwell upon the tim
that followed; the explanation 1 wa
: forced to give; the frigid silence i
: which my stammering apologies wer
. accepted; the-the--in fact, the awfu
|, ness of the whole thing.
It makes me hot even now to thin
of it, but not quite so warm as did
4 certain question which / propounde
1 to a dainty little maiden about tw
: months afterwards. II don
! know" she faltered, mischievousl,
; "whether / could marry kleptom,
I niac." And then stopped her with
= kiss. But afterwards had some xligf
i difficulty in explaining how it was I na
B carried the photograph Of the ICON
y panion" next to my heart for vbo
: month and never found it out.
4 "when you took the trouble to ste,
NV picture" pouted my beloved I'll
n \