Casco Bay breeze. [volume] (South Harpswell, Me.) 1901-1917, 1906-06-21
CAUGHT RED HANDED
lOriginall


to MI. Ewing's aunt. a spinster OF for
ty, VINO possessed large fortune. This
lady had made several wills, ut last
! making one leaving all her property to
her nephew. Russell. But. the testator
being a healthy woman, there was lit.
tie hope that the young couple wouli
inherit the fortune. ut least not for a
long while. Meanwhile by pinching
they managed to get along.
one summer after a great deal of
hard work servants work Mrs.
Ewing found it necessary to recuperate
ut farmhouse
She soon tired Of the farm. and.
without notifying her husband. whom
she knew would object. she packed he
traps and took train. She reached
the city and her home shortly before
her husband usually came home from
business. What was her surprise to
see coming down the stairs well
dressed woman about her own age AMI
quite as comedy.
"Well." gasped the WIFE, astonished.
what are You doing here?'
Now, till this moment Mrs. Ewing
ity. But coming home unexpected to
find young woman in the house with
out even n servant to chaperon her
was too much for the wife's faith. She
looked daggers Mt the woman. who
trembled before her.
'You hussy! You shameless thing!
How dare YOU come here when am
not ut home? Have you been here ev-
cry evening to receive my husband on
his return from businessT'
\ sudden intelligence came to the
strangers eyes, but she made no reply:
she simply hung her head.
''Who are your asked the outra ged
wife
No answer
I'll find out who you are before you
leave this house"
There was rattling in the keyhole.
the door opened and i'm walked the hus-
band. He stood gaping ut the two wo-
men. but not for long. His wife turned
upon him.
who Is this creature whom you have
to meet You when you come home from
business:"
Indeed. my dear, I don't know
What brought you home so suddenly"
Russell Ewing. do you think to i'm
pose upon me by such denial? But of
course-how can l expect-neither will
admit anything. I want you both to I'M
derstand that before this shameless wo-
man leaves this house I'll know who
she is. oh, Russell how could you:'
ASK her." said the husband. "if she
ever saw me before
There was no need to ask. The wom-
an turned away, hiding her face. plain
ly showing that she was not entirely
shameless.
"She admits her and your guilt"
moaned the wife. "Oh. Russellr'
We'll. I'll be hanged-' exclaimed the
husband in real or fc!gned astonish-
ment.
Before he could stop his wife she had
gone to the telephone and called for a
policeman. The stranger made Il move
to get out OF the front door. but Mr..
Ewing stopped her. Then there was
wrangling between the husband and
wife. which was interrupted by the
coming Of the policeman.
Take that woman to the station"
said Mrs. Ewing. land hold her till she
agrees to tell who she is; then send for
me-"
The officer agreed to hold the woman
on charge Of trespass il Mrs. Ewing
would promise to appear against her
The promise was made, and the wom-
an was led away.
The next hour at the Ewing home
was one Of keenest misery. Mrs. Ew-
Ing locked herself I'm her room. and her
lamentations could be heard all over
the house. Mr.. Ewing paced between
the sitting and dining rooms with
rueful face. During his wife's absence
he had been used to going out soon
after his arrival at home and getting
his dinner. Now he had no appetite and
did not go. Finally he took an evening
paper from his pocket and tried to
read. Suddenly he started. An an
nouncement in the paper was the cause.
He read 1t again and again, then rushed
upstairs. Passing a little room where
he kept desk. he was surprised to see
IL had been rihed. Rushing toward IL.
he thrust his hand into n certain pigeon
hole and turned pale. For n moment
he stood In deep thought. then ran
downstairs to the telephone and called
up the police station.
"Pm Ewing. Have you got the won.
an you took from my houseg'
yes"
Search her. Let me know what you
find"
"All right Hold the wire"
Ewing held the wire for fully ten
minutes. then there was q ring.
"weIT"
Eve searched her and found a pa.
per-"
What paperT
Its n will"
Ewing uttered cry OF delight. He
directed that the woman and the will
should both be held without fail till his
arrival, then, dropping the receiver.
went to his wIfe's room and called:
MY, dear. It's all explained. Aunt
Agatha II dead. That woman who was
here must be my cousin Maria, who
was the last legatee before me She