The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1908-08-26
MELTON EMERALDS

while into silence as | faced my ac-
cuser over the twisted iron bars of
the prisoners dock For fully min
ute we stared, the surprise and Won
der in his face finding its counter
part in my own as though caught in
mirror, and adding the last touch
to our exact similarity of feature.
His lips moved as though to speak,
his eyes still fastened on mine. Per-
haps If his thoughts had reached
sound, my story need not have been
told to the eager faces turned to-
ward us from the crowded court
benches, but as If unwilling to be
cheated out of the denouement, the
voice of the court broke in demand
Ing that | answer to the charge Of
the theft of the Melton emeralds
Indignation at being held on
charge of which | was entirely inno-
cent gave way to wonder as to Just
what part had played in the
strange series of events which end
ed for me in the prisoners dock fac
ing, as my accuser, man whose
face and figure were so nearly my
own that my mother must have diff
Guilty distinguishing MS.
1t was late afternoon of the day
before that, after a week of fruitless
learch for employment, | stood PEN
niless and in despair on the edge of
the busy sidewalk, gazing absently
ahead and wondering where supper
and a nights lodging were to come
from. Crowds hurried by unnoticed
and unnoticing, for | was a stranger
in Boston, having come from my ma
tive New Hampshire town only
week previously, to try fortune in
the metropolis Suddenly | became
aware of a strange, uneasy sensation
of being watched. That unexplaina-
BILE impulse which causes a person TO
seek out the eyes spying upon one
made me turn my head toward
group passing directly behind me. A
middle-aged man, well dressed, and
with a suggestion of smugness about
his well-shaven chin and blue eyes,
was watching me intently. He turned
his head away quickly and walked
on. | watched him for a time, and
saw him turn squarely about and APP
proach me.
IF you will allow a stranger the
liberty, may | ask whether you are
in trouble?" he said. His voice and
manner matched his sleek, we'll
the first kind, interested ones ! had
heard during that long, gloomy
week, fell pleasantly on my ears. At
another time | might have resented
his intrusion and answered his ques-
ton by turning on my heel, but one
carries himself differently when one
finds himself at nightfall with empty
pockets in a strange city. So | ex-
planned to him my predicament
Not an attractive situation, GER
tainly," he said, when ! had fin
ished; but if you will consent to put
yourself at my disposal for-say--
two hours, this evening, | think you
will find 1t profitable"
He paused for my reply, while |,
startled by the strangeness of his Of
fer, sought in vain for the clue to his
meaning.
Il put it rather crudely," he re-
sumed, "and you, no doubt, are at a
loss to understand whether ! am of
fering you charity or hand in some
unlawful undertaking. Neither Is
right. What | should ask of you Is
hardly pleasant service, since 1t has
to do with solving domestic tangle
which has led TO an estrangement
between my son and myself,
His frankness and convincing
manner won me completely and
little while later | was hurrying OFF
to the nearest restaurant, two crisp
81 notes in my pocket and an APP
pointment for s O'Clock with my
benefactor
Promptly at the appointed time |
found myself standing on the steps
of great gray stone house in a
beautiful residential district, with
my neW-fOund friend.
On the stairs inside we met a SER
want in livery who passed my host
without notice but bowed to me in
stead. / wondered at the strange
proceedings, but in another moment
was led into a large, well-lighted
room where a fire burned Cheerfully. |
It was a sort OF sitting room filled
with heavy comfortable chairs and
tables strewn with books. Through a
half opened door | caught a glimpse
of bedroom beyond with soft tinted |
walls and simple elegant appoint
ments. Through this door my host |
disappeared, closing 1t behind him
after he had drawn a chair before |
the fire for me and invited me to
make myself comfortable during his
absence.
From time to time from the bed
room came mufIled sounds as II |
heavy drawers were being opened |
and their contents displaced. For a |
long time | waited while the fire |
burned brightly and a drowsiness |
crept over me. Still my host con-
tinued his search in the bedroom and |
did not reappear.
| think ] must have dozed, for the |
next thing | knew | was seized by |
servant and two policemen and was
being hurried away to the police sta
tion to answer to charge of theft OF |
the Melton emeralds.
You know the rest; how the real
thief. my erstwhile benefactor was
intercepted and brought back Just as |