Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-08-21

tN get out of thlS? 1 asked
 D Obermuller, as he came into
 - the station a few minutes IE \ \ after I got there. wy "No."
 T do."
 "Because?"
 Because it won't do you any good to have your name mixed up with thing like this" But it might do you some good"
 I didn't answer for a minute after that. I sat in my chair, my eyes bent on the floor. I counted the cracks between the chair and the floor of the office where the chief was busy with another case. I counted them six times, back and forth, till my eyes were clear and my voice was steady. You're awfully good" I said, look ing up at him as he stood by me. You're the best fellow I ever knew. I didn't know men could be so good to women. But you'd better go please. It'll be bad enough when the papers get hold of this, without having them lump you in with a bad lot like me-" He put his hand on my shoulder and gave it quick little shake.
 Don't say that about yourself. You're not a bad lot" "But-you saw the purse
 "Yes. saw it. But it hasn't proved anything to me but this: you're inno- cent, Nance, or you're crazy. If it's the first, I want to stand by you, little girl. If it's the second-good God! I've got to stand by you harder than ever''
 1 Can you see me sitting there, Mag, 1 in the bright, bare little room, with. 1 it's electric lights, still in my white i dress and big white hat, my pretty i jacket fallen on the floor beside me? I could feel the sharp blue eyes of that detective Morris feeding on my | miserable face. But I could feel, too. warmth like wine poured into me from that big fellows voice. I put my hand up to him and he took it.
 "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 now?"
 Do I?"
 Well, if you want to help me, don't sit there looking like the criminal ghost of the girl l know"
 The blood rushed to my face. Nance 1 Olden. a sniveling coward! Me. show ing the white feather-me, whimper- Ing like whipped puppy-me-Nance 0lden!
 You know" I smiled up at him. I never did enjoy getting caught"
 Hush! But that's better. .. '. |. Tell me now" .-rs,s-- =s.e+rsSi
 A buzzer sounded. The blue-eyed detective got up and came over to me
 Chiefs ready" he said. "This way"
 They stopped Obermullar at the door. But he pushed past them.
 "I wan. to say, just a word to you, .h:ef," he Eaid. You remember me. Tn. p.ermt,ler, of the Vaudeville. If you'.. send those fellows out and let me speak to yoa just moment, I'll cave you alone with Miss Olden."
 The chief nodded to the blue-eyed detective. and he and the other fellow went out and shut the door behind hem.
 "I want simply to call your atten- Hon to the absurdity and unreason- ibleasss of this thing" Obermuller said, leaning up against the chiefs desk. while he threw out his left hand with that big open gesture of his. land 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 a very short time she will be at the top; that just now she is not suffer ing for lack of money; that she's not I high-roller. but determined, hard working little grind, and that if she did feel like taking plunge. she knows that she could get all she wants | rom me even
 Even if you can't pay salaries when they're due. Obermuller." The chief grinned under his white mus tache.
 Even though the Trust is pushing me to the wall; going to such lengths that they're liable criminally as wei as civilly, if I could only get m, hands on proof of their rascality It's true cant pay salaries always when they're due. but can still rais' few hundred to help friend. AnC Miss Olden is a friend of mine. | you can prove that she took thii money. you prove only that she's gon' mad. but you don't"
 "All right. ObermulIer. You're no the lawyer for the defense. That'l come later-if it does come. I'll b glad to bear in mind all you've said and much that you haven't"
 Thank you. Good night. IT wait for you, Nance. outside"
 I'm going to ask you lot of Ques tions. Miss Olden." the old chief said when we were alone. Sit here please. Morris tells me you've go more nerve than any woman that ever come before me. So I needn' bother to reassure you You don look like a girl that's easily fright ened- I have heard how you dance, in the lobby of the Manhattan. hOE xor, er,vad hfrn a- yof1r fat and rer getting lunch and having a regula