Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-08-21

why, l cTleu, WHdt klnu oA Sii could cut up like that when she was on the very edge of discovery"
 "A very smart girl-an actress; a good one; clever thief who's used to bluffing. Of course," he added, softly, you won't misunderstood me. I'm simply suggesting the different kinds of girl that could have done what you did. But, if you don't mind I'll do the questioning. Nance Olden," he turned suddenly on me, his manner changed and threatening, what has become of that s30O?"
 "Mr. Chief, you know just as much about that as I do.'' < I threw up my head and looked him full in the face. It was over now all the shivering and trembling and fearing. Nance Olden's not a coward when she's fighting for her freedom; and fighting alone without any sym pathizing friend to weaken her.
 He returned the look with interest. q may know" he said, insinuat- ingly.
 Possibly" I shrugged my shoul- ders. s
 No, it wasn't put on. There never yet was man who bullied me that didn't rouse the fighter in me. swore to myself that this old thief-catcher shouldn't rattle me.
 Doesn't it occur to you that under the circumstances full confession might be the very best thing for you? shouldn't wonder if these people would be inclined to be lenient with you if you'd return the money. Doesn't it occur"
 'It might occur to me if had any thing to confess-about this Yurse.''
 How long since you've seen Mrs. Edward Ramsay" He rushed the question at me. jumped.
 "How do you know I've ever seen her?"
 q do know you have" "1 don't believe you" "Thank you, neither do believe you, which is more to the point. Come, answer the question: how long is 1t since you have seen the lady?"
 looked at him. And then looked 1t my glove, and slowly pulled the fingers inside out, and then-then I giggled. Suddenly it came to me that silly, little insane dodge of mine in the bishops carriage that day; the girl who had lost her name; and the use all that affair might be to me if i ever-
 "I'll tell you if you'll let me think a minute,' said, sweetly. "It-it must be all of 15 months" "Ah! You see I did know that : you've met the lady. If you're wise you'll draw deductions as to other things I know that you don't think 1 do. And where did you see herr"
 "In her own home." ... 1 Called there," he sneered, "alone?"
 "No,' said, very gently. q went there, to the best of my recollection, with the bishop-yes. it was the bish- op, Bishop Van Wagenen.'
 "lndeed!"
 I could see that he didn't believe 6 word I was saying, which made me happily eager to tell him more.
 Yes, we drove up to the square one afternoon in the bishops carriage the fat, plum-colored one you know. i We had tea there-at least, I did. I was to have spent the night, but"
 That's enough of that"
 I chuckled. Yes, Mag Monahan, I was enjoying myself. I was having a run for my money, even if it was the last run was to have.
 So it's 15 months since you've seen Mrs, Ramsay, eh?"
 "Yes."
 He turned on me with a roar
 And yet it's only week since you saw her at Mrs. Gates"
 "Oh, mo-"
 No? Take care!"
 That night at Mrs. Gates it was dark, you know, in the front room. didn't see Mrs Ramsay that night. didn't know she was there at all till"
 "Till"
 "Till later was told"
 "Who told you?"
 "Her husband"
 He threw down his pencil.
 Look here. this is no lark. young woman, and you needn't trouble your self to weave any more fairy tales. Mir. Ramsay is in a-he's very ill. His own wife hasn't seen him since that night. so you see you're lying use- lessly."
 Really! So Edward didn't go back to Mrs. Gates that night TutI tut! After his telephone message, tool"
 Now, assuming your innocence of the theft, Miss Olden, what is your theory; how do you account for the presence of that purse in your fiat?''
 Now, you've hit the part of it that really puzzles me. How do you ac- count for it; what is your theory2"
 He got to his feet. pushing his chair back sharply.
 My theory. if you want to know it. is that you stole the purse: that your friend Obermuller believes you did; that you got away with the three hun- dred. or hid it away, and"
 And what a stupid thief I must be, then, to leave the empty purse un- der my lounge,"
 "A.