The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-22
The EVENING STORY
Miss stanmore Speaks.
(By Grace Levy.)

<,
Wnen his gruff little bark woke his
mistress she did not attribute the sig
nal 20 anything more alarming than a
nightmare. Crowdie. however. contin- |
out OF bed and cautiously opened her
door on crack
Unmistakable footsteps below came
to her straining ears. It was mid
night: she was alone save for the SER
wants. and she was very young; but lit
tie Miss Stanmore did not scream and
did not faint She adjusted her pretty
negligee. tucked Crowdie under her
arm and fumbled her way downstairs.
1t was Pitch dark, SO she followed a
draught that told of an open door A
glimmer soon guided her She gained
the. dining room, pressed an electric
button and flooded 1t with light A
young man, masked, wheeled upon her
with an oath that died away as he
gazed. She put a finger to her lips.
Hush! the others may wake.
Here" as the dog struggled and
growled, speak to him and he'll be
quite: His name is Crowdie-and if
we shake hands he surely won't bite
you"
She extended her hand as she spoke.
The man hesitated. then took it.
Now tell me- she continued con-
versationally, what you were doing"
stealing" replied the man bluntly.
She pursed her lips in disdain "You
weren't very clever about it. Crowdie
heard YOU
Probably not" he answered. with
Give me time-and practice!"
Your f1rst-Oh. that's what they
all say, isn't it? But perhaps you're
not lying-I could tell if you would
take off that mask. Please. 1 want
| to see your face; and if you do, I
promise not to peach or-Dick Ter
rill!' she gasped. He had torn off
the bit of disguise.
You know me?"
"Only by your pictures as the prom
| ising son of your father
well, I'm his son, all right!'' he
said flippantly.
| 'I am May Stanmore," she contin-
ued, ignoring his interruption, land I
yours, and of you. oh, why have you
done this?''
| Then he dropped into a chair and
told her. 1t was the usual young mans
story of debts and still more debts,
and foolish little acts that had dis
pleased his father into lowering his
allowance, which in turn had made
| Dick more reckless. until there oc-
Cured a pressing demand for payment
which he could not and his father
would not meet. During the day he
had heard casually the news of her
| fami1y's coming absence from the
house, and after a struggle, had yield
ed to desperate impulse.
1 IldQ ~ IdNS
| borrow it, and 1 took the chance. You
see, I thought you were all away.
But Miss Stanmore had ceased to
listen. Twill you'll know it's queer
that is-I'd like to lend you some
thing. I have a whole lot of my own
money, and they never ask me what I
do with it." she stammered. I'D like
| ever SO much"
Terriu sprang from his chair. "I'd
rather steal it," he cried.
L R11f vol mustn't don't
you see. You mustn't BEGIN
| Her hand fell upon his arm. and
his expression softened.
| '.Then I guess I'll try my father just
| once more he said. sQuaring his
| shoulders.
| Eyes, yes, that wfll be the best. I
know. And you won't try this way
again. will you? It's nearly time for
the folks to return. You'd better go
now
| She picked I'D her dog and led the
way to the door. There he caught her
| hand. and with murmured promise,
| was gone.
| II had been such an unusual episode
that, while Crowdie fell fast asleep,
Miss Stanmore lay in pleasant con-
| temptation of it all. Precisely half
an hour later. her parents returned,
confusion at their heels. The house
| had been robbed and great deal of
the valuable plate was missing Miss
| Stanmore paled at the news. but kept
her wits.
! mo" she lied convincingly. 81 did
not hear thing until you came in
| just now. James closed downstairs.
| The butler was then routed out of
bed. He could throw no light on the
matter. He had been particular
| ly careful in locking UP. The police
were notified and the family passed
the rest of the night in fitfuI slumber.
| Word reached Mr.. Stanmore next
morning that the culprit had been
caught. On learning his identity. Mr..
Stanmore left his office and begged to
! have the man brought to his house.
May, returning from a walk. paused
at the sound of voices from the IL
| brary. She entered quietly and saw
Terrill, her parents, detective ana
two policemen. No one noticed her.
| "For the last time, young man." said
Mr.. Stanmorc, where were you last
night? You say" turning to the Off
GERS, "that you saw him leave my
house after midnight"
| ayes, sir replied O'Brien- II
couldn't leave my beat, SO I got Tim
to track him, thinking it was a bit
queer; and the house all dark as it
was. Then, when we got your alarm,
why, we followed up the clew and
held him.
"You are sure. officer. that it was
this young man you followed?"
| "Quite, sir"
| do you deny, Terrill, your presence
in my house last night?" demanded
Stanmore.
| The young man threw out his hands
| in a hopeless gesture. NO"
| what in heavens name brought
you here?''
ST did,.
Every one turned and faced Miss
| StanmOre.
| "If you have brought Dick Terrin
here as the possible culprit it is prepos-
| ferrous. He came to see me last night
| oy, a ma tier of inheritance by appoint
ment He never left my presence dur
| ing his visit. He could not have stolen
| the silver"
| II was not aware that you knew
| each other said Stanmore, grimly.
"Oh, yes' said May, easily, but seek
| ing Terrilrs eyes. II know Dick Ter
rill very WE'LL
| "Is that the truth?'' gasped her faith