The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1907-01-03
~"
Watch Night
Romance
By OLIVER LEROV

tCcpyright. 1906. by T. E. McGrath.1
n AIRY MORTON was the happi-
NH est girl in New York 1t
4 was glorious night in June
Arthur Wainwright had just
bidden her good night. and she return
ed to the little parlor to turn out the
gas before retiring to her room. For a
moment she reseated herself upon the
old fashioned sofa where both had
sat that night when Arthur told her
what she knew already-that he loved
her
She had told hiIa that 1t was her
while watching the old year out and
the new year in. "Splendid"" Arthur
had said Besides, the firm has prom.
iSed me 4 considerable increase in sal
ary beginning with the new year
How happy we shall be in that cozy
little cottage | have in mind up in the
Bronx
When Mary arose next morning and
looked into her mirror it seemed to
her that the utter happiness of her
heart had made her face more beaut
ful
HE deserves the most beautiful wo
man in the world" she murmured
He is so high minded, so honorable so
nobe.'
The housemaid tapped at her door
and left a letter. Mary kissed the en-
velope before breaking the seal 1t
read:
Dearest-I have lost $4,000 belonging to
the firm, which I was to have deposited
yesterday, but on account of street car
delay | reached the bank too late. They
will never believe me. 1t means disgrac
--proba bly, fmpris0nment-if l stay here.
I have thought 1t all over. and I am goir
to disappear. go far away. change NV
name and try to earn money TO pay back
this sum. It will take me years and
years no doubt. l release you. and God
knows l want you 70 be happy. Simp',
forget me. ARTHUR.
Stunned by the blow, the girl sank
into chair. She thought it over.
There must be some other way. 1t
could not he that Arthur was going
away-had gone already. She would
try to help him. Hastily dressing. she
called at the brokerage firms offices
and was received by the senior part
ner, who had just arrived. Like her
self, he was greatly perturbed.
The girl handed Arthur's letter to
NJ. Meredith and tearfulIy made her
Plea. The broker laughed scornfully.
Il have just received a letter from
this young rascal with similar story"
he said brutally. Going to get mar
ried soon, was he? All. needed money
i seer'
Mr.. Meredith" said the stricken
girl, Il want TO tell you that Arthur
Wainwright Is the soul of honor He
never stole Il cent. and he never will
/ am going to stand by him and help
him in some way-I don't know Just
how. | am going to prove that he lost
this money. as he says lie did
''Well. l wish you success. for we
certainly need that money. and the
only way you can help this young
scoundrel is to find the money and re-
store it,"
first" she said land let him know
that am going to help him
'Oh, that will be easy, We already
have the police after him and quite
probably You will find him in jail by
night
AS Miss Morton was about to de
Part she was requested to step into
another room. where a coarse looking
man from police headquarters ques-
toned her roughly plainly giving her
| y understand that he regarded her as
IN accomplice Of Wainwright in ap-
| prOpriating the money She was high
| ly indignant When at last she was
| permitted to depart handsome Young
| detective. who had been present dur
| Ing portion Of the questioning but
! lad taken no part IN it. was sent along
| to escort her home He explained that
| he had been assigned to this pleasant
| duty and to the most disagreeable task
| OF searching her lodgings.
A matron from police headquarters
was already on hand at the boarding
| house 10 assist in the search. Under
l. the eve Of the detective she raDsacked
| every nook an, corner of Miss Nor
| tons room ".terai times the detee.
| tive apoiog.zcd. and when the party
returned to the pnrior ne said with feel
ing:
Il do lot believe. Miss Morton, that
| you have the slightest guilty knowl
edge of this affair and, though II
Looks bad for Mr. Wainwright, car
SEE that 1t was quite possible for him
to lose the money