The Washington times., 1909-03-29

! trap which had been prepared for her
by these rascaIly conspirators.
His first thought was 10 go TO the
| girl and tell her of the conversation
which he had overheard in the cafe.
But he realized, with a groan of de-
spair, that she Tyould not believe his
story She would think, no doubt, that
he was actuated by jealousy, for Wilbur
felt sure that the girl knew that he,
hiiilself. was desperately in love with
her.
No, that plan would not do at all.
ne decided. She was not the kind Of
girl to pay any heed to such a story.
Hers was trusting neture, he knew,
and doubtless her faith In the man
she was going to marry would prevent
her from being alarmed by such
warning
He next considered the advisability
OF hurrying Immediately to Mr.. and
Mrs Hamilton and endeavoring to
persuade them to intervene TO pre-
vent tie marriage.
This plan sounded more promising;
but there were reasons why he
thought it unlikely to succeed.
In the first place, It was doubtful
whether the girls parents would be-
lieVe his story, uncorroborated as it
was. 1t would be his word against
Arthur Barrington's and doubtless the
junior partner would receive the BEN
eht of the doubt The latter possess
ed smooth tongue and a winning
manner, and in all probability would
have no difficulty in convincing the
parents that Wilbur had maIicfousIv
borne false witness against him.
And
II he should be successful In making
the girls parents believe him and In
persuading them to try to stop the
wedding, the girl was over twenty
one and probably would insist upon
her legal rights TO do as she pleased.
despite the wishes Of her father and
mother.
She was girl of determ nation and
pluck-as Steve Clayton haG remark
ed the first time he had gazed upon
her photograph She was not the kind
TO allow herself to be dIssuaded when
once she had made up her mind.
Despite these seif-imposed objec-
tions. Wilbur did not entirely give IN
hope la this quarter. Tt was Just
barely possible that an appeal to the
parents might, after all, be productive
OF the desired result. The plan was
at least worth trying If all other
measures failed; but first OF all he
would try something else.
For an idea had suddenly occurred
to him. 1t seemed like an inspiration
1t held out a much greater promise OF
success.
He would go Frank Darlington
/ and confide to him What he had over
heard in the cafe.
Frank Rar rim pfor, he I-pa,r 80 - A.
termined and resourceful man, and
would at once know what to do I = pre-
vent his brother from marrying Miss
Hamilton that night
True, as Arthur harrington had said
land as he, Wilbur, now fully beIieved)
the senior partners own motives re-
garding the girl were equally as sinister
as those Of his brother. but that did
not matter. under the circumstances.
In fact, Wilbur reflected. IL was for
tunate that such was the case. For his
own selfish reasons Frank would man
age to find a way to Illustrate his broth
er. "Set thief to catch thief" was
good maxim, and likewise, il was
equally wise To set a scoundrel 10 check
mate a scoundreL
Wilbur decided that this was the best
way of accomplishing his purpose He
would avail himself of Frank Barring
toms cunning ana power TO save the
girl from Arthur Barrington's machina-
tions.
With this object in view he hurried
back to the office. When he arrived
there a great surprise awaited him.
Frank harrington was walking up and
down the outer room with an air OF
considerable agitation. Miss Hamilton
sat at her typewriter, white faced and
worried Danny. the errand boy. stood
at the other end Of She ofGce, looking
unusually solSmn and awed.
AS Wilbur entered, the senior partner
turned to him eagerly, and Miss Ham
ilton gave vent to a perfectly audible
sigh OF relief
"Ahl here you are. Leslie" exclaimed
Fr,nk harrington. Il am glad that you
have returned. Perhaps, after all. you
are innocent II so, maybe you can
throw some light upon this mystery
What mystery, sir?' inquired VIII
bur, wonderingly.
"a paper OF diamonds has disap-
peared grom the safe" the senior part
ner went on. "a package containing
$4,000 worth Of unset stones has been
stolen. It means ruin for the firm,
Leslie-absolute ruin-unless they can
be recovered. Oh, If only I could lay
my hands on the dastardly thief.
"Stolenv gasped Wilbur. Twenty
thousand dollars worth Of diamonds!
Good heavens, sir, is II possible2 How
did it happen7 Whom do you suspect?'
Suspect" cried the senior partner
bitterly. II suspect everybody. I sus-
pect you. 1 suspect my brother-I sus-
pect Miss Hamilton here. / hate TO say