La Junta tribune., 1907-01-05

THE NEXT INSTANT she UTTERED CnY.
I'm suddenly called out Of town But
when I come back wen organize the
staY and get down TO business"
And with that he rose, clapped on bis
hat and was about TO depart when
thought seemed 10 strike him
by the way" said he. there may be
some payments made while I'm gone.
Put the money into the safe. Miss
Lawrence will show you the combina-
ton
She did 40 after Graham had gone
There was nothing In the safe except
some new books OF account, absolutely
blank. and n large sealed envelope
bearing the name Of Lingard 4 Co. In
the corner and that Of Miss Hilda Law
renee In the usual place OF address.
II fell from n plGeonhose while Har-
wood was rummaging In the safe. and
be picked II up and replaced II.
That Is my fortune" said Miss Law
renee, with laugh.
''Inteetiy' said he. II trust that II is
large
Its large enough sne responded,
"oniy II isn't worth anything"
How does that happenT'
She smiled at him sadly.
"Did you ever hear Of the Capital
Cities railroadf" she asked.
IIarwood was aghast. So this adorable
creature really was In the I@ot and by SO
childish trick expected to lure him to
disclosures,
"Yes," said he; "rve heard the name"
MY father lost his money in IT," said
she There are 100000 Of the bonds In
that envelope. and they are waste paper.
Yet he believed to the last day of his life
that they would have n value. and he
made me promise 10 take care OF them
and not to sell unless they were again
upon the market with n regularly quoted
price"
How does 1t happen that you have
them hcre?'
Il kept them In the safe at Lingard a
Co.'S she answered. Naturally
brought them here"
Harwood rose and took turn across
the room and back. OF course there was
nothing but waste paper In that envelope.
He could break the seai-with proper
caution-uhen Miss Lawrence was out Of
the office for luncheon and so satisfy
himself that she was truly a conspirator.
not because the act would be dishonora-
ble but for another reason altogether.
the thought nauseated him. lie looked at
Hilda Lawrence. and II seemed to him a
dreadful stroke OF destiny that she should
have come into his life to play "A role so
mean. Then suddenly something within
him refused to credit this. fought against
It. overthrow suspicion and trampled on IL.
Miss Lawrence" said he. there is q
chance that your bonds will soon DO
worth their face value or even more II
s..II
the story
Certainty" she said surprised. and
she broke the seal. The next instant she
uttered a cry. and the envelope fell from
her hands. while many slips Of blank pa
per nuttsred down TO the floor.
BE calm said Harwood- Answer mo
one question. Did the bookkeeper at Lin
gard a Co.'S know that you had these
bonds in their safer
Yes" said she. IL happened to tell
him
HE and Graham have put up this job
to get them said he Il thought they
were plotting against me. but it's clear
Is day now that they took me for genu-
ine-for an innocent stranger who could
be Iured here to bear the blame OF this
theft when you should discover IT.
have been an Incompatible donkey. But
wait'-'
number.
Hello, want to speak to Mr. stan
ton. Hello, Is that you. Joe? Well, I've
got down to Grahams game He has
stolen s1oo.oco of C. C bonds. Get all our
sieuths out after him. What7 what's
that He's there with the bonds Offering
them TO your Well. this L. lucki Get .
policeman and-what7 Don't ask any
more questions. Joe Nab him.
Miss Lawrence. said he turning 60
the girl. who stood amazed. "if you wf.l
}oin forces with my friend and me in the
matter Of the Capital Cities railroad
can assure you that your bonds will tn
deed be q fortune to you And meas
while they're safe. thank heaven! 0snsl
We shake hands upon our luchr'
"Yes-yes. fndeed.- said she