The San Francisco call., 1904-07-24
after I got there.

after I got there.
No
I do"
.Becau ause2"
Because II won't do you any good
10 have your name mixed up with d
thing IKE this"
But it might 90 you some gooI-'
/ didn't answer for minute after
that. sat in my chair. my eyes oent
or The foor. counted the cracks
between The chair and the floor Of the
onics u.here the chief was busy with
another case. counted them six
tlIaes. back and forth. tin my eyes
were clear and nay voice was steady
You're awfully good said. look
irg Up at hin as he stood by me.
You're the best fellow ever knew.
1 didn't know men could be 50 good
10 women. But you'd better go
please tn be bad enough when
the papers get hold Of this, without
having them lump you in with bad
lot ike me"
He put his hand on my shoulder
and gave IL quick little shake.
OD4 SOY NLldA dDOAA SO0ASt-A-
You're not a bad lot
~But-you saw the purse"
Yes, I saw il. But it hasn't proved
anything 10 be but this: you're inno-
cent, Nance, or you're crazy. If it's
the first. want to stand by you
tie girl II it's the second-gOoG ir,i
I've got TO stand by you harder than
ever"
Can you see me sitting there, Mag,
IN the bright, bare little room, with
the electric lights, still in my white
dress and big white hat. my pretty
Jacket fallen on the floor beside me?
I could feel the sharp blue eyes Of that
Detective Morris feeding on my mis-
cradle face. But I could feel, too, a
warmth like wine poured into me
from that big fellows voice.
I put my hand up TO him and he
took il.
IF I'm innocent and can prove it.
Fred Obermuller, I'll get even with
YOU for-for this"
DO you want to do something for
me now2"
DO y"
We'll, if you wont to help me, don't
sit there looking like the criminal
ghost Of the girl I know"
The blood rushed 10 my face. Nance
Olden. 4 sniveling coward, Ne, show
ing the white feather-me, whimper-
ing ike a whipped puppy-me-
Nance Oldeni
You know" I smiled up at him,
i never did enjoy getting caught"
Hush. But that's better.
Tell me now"
4 buzzer sounded. The blue-eyed
detective got up and came over to
Chiefs ready" he said. This
way"
They stopped Obermuller at the
door. But he pushed past them.
I want TO say just a word to you,
Chief" he said. You remember me.
I'm Obermuller of the Vaudeville. If
youll send those fellows out and let
ne speak to you just one moment, I'll
leave you alone with Miss Olden."
The Chief nodded to the blue-eyed
detective. and he and the other fellow
went cut and shut the door behind
them
i want simply TO call your at
tention 10 the absurdity and unrea-
soma bieness Of this thing" Ober-
muller said. leaning up against the
Chiefs desk, while he threw out his
left hand with that big open gesture
of his and TO ask you TO bear in mind,
no matter what appearances may be,
that Miss Olden is the most talented
girl on the stage to-day; that in
very short time she will be at the top:
that just now she is not suffering for
lack of money; that she's not high
roller. but a determined, hard-working
little grind. and that IL she did feel
Ike taking a plunge, she knows that
abe could get all she wants from me
even"
Even il you can't pay salaries when
They're due, Obermuller." The Chief
gTipned under his white mustache.