The Huttig news., 1909-02-13

ling, pulled his hat we'll down oyer brows. thrust both hands into his trousers pockets, and shambled back to the St. Luke building his heavy body vibrating amazingly with his secret mirth.-
 And ~. shufiing sluggishly. he merges into the shadows, into the mob that surges about the building, and passes from these pages.
 IL.
 In the clattering hanson, steadying herself with hand against the win dowframe to keep from being thrown against the speeches. man beside her, the girl waited. And since Malt land in confusion at the moment found no words, from this eloquent silence she drew an inference uniustified, such as lovers are prone to draw, the world over. one that lent a pathetic color to her thoughts, and chilled a little her mood. She had been too sure.
 But better to have it over with at once. rather than permit it to remain forever a wall of constraint between
 
 think that she would dream of taking him upon his genefous word
 'It was very kind of you" she said in a steady small voice. "to pretend that we-what you did pretend. in or der 10 save me from being held as witness. At least, l presume that is why you did it?"-with a note of un- certainty.
 'It is unnecessary that you should be drawn into the affair" he renlied, with some resumption of his self-pos- session Tt isn't as if you were"
 "A thief?s she supplied, as he hesi- tated
 "A thief" he assented. sravely.
 But I-I am, with a break in her voice
 "But you are not" he asserted al most fiercely. And Dear he said, boldly, don't you suppose I know?"
 what do you know?"
 That you brought back the jewels for one minor thing. l found them al most as soon as you had left. And then l knew-knew that you cared FnCuSu tO SCI lHtIl HUH IuiS ltlloW Anisty and bring them back to me knew that I cared enough to search the world from end to end until found you, that you might wear them If you would
 But she had drawn away. had averted her face; and he might not see it; and she shivered slightly. star ing out of the window at the passing lights He saw, and perforce paused.
 "You-yeu don't understand" she told him in rush. You give me credit beyond my due. I didn't break into your flat again, tonight, in order to return the jewels-at least, not for that alone
 But you did bring back the iewels?"
 She nodded
 Then doesn't that prove what claim. prove that you've cleared your self"
 No she told him. firmly, with the frmness of despair: it does not. Be. cause l did not come for that only. came with another purpoae-to steal, as well as to make restitution And I -I stole
 There was a moments silence. on his part incredulous. I don't know what you mean. What i,d you steal: : Where is it?'
 '1 have lost it.
 Was it in your handbas?"
 You found that?"
 You dropped it in the trunk closet. found it there. There is something of mine in it?'
 Dumb with misery. she nodded; and after little. You didn't lock, of course"
 q had no right" he said, shortly.
 "Other men wo-would have thought they had the right. I tn hthink you had the circumstances considered. At all events" steadying her voice. T say you have. now. I give you that right. Please go and investigate that handbag, Mir. Maitland l wish you to-
 He turned and stared at her cur ous. Iy. T don't know what to think" he said 'l can not believe
 You mu-must believe. I have no fight to profit by your disbelief Dear MT. Maitland. you have been kind to me very kind to me; do me this last kindness, if you will
 The young face turned to him was gravely and perilously sweet. very nearly he forgot all else. But that she would not have.
 Do this for me. What you will find will explain everything. You will nm derstand Perhaps" = timidly = per. haps you may even find it in your heart to forgive when you understand. If you should, my card-ease is in the bag. and" She faltered biting her lip cruelty to steady a voice quivering with restrained sobs. Please, please 20 at once, and and see for yoursalf!" she implored him passionately.
 Of sudden he found himself re, solved Indeed. he fancied that it were dangerous to oppose her; she was overwrought, on the verge of los ing her command of self She wished this thing. and though with all his soul he hated it. he would do as she de- sired.
 Very well" he arsented quietly.