The Washington times., 1909-03-11

with a slight bow. What's the char.s?,
The CHARGE inquired Betty.
Yes. What's he charged with ?
What's he done?''
on, >" exclaimed Mrs. Wharton. Elk
cuse me, please l didn't understand.
He Is BURGLAR dangerous one He
stole one thousand dollars from us"
Really" exclaimed the captain in
apparent surprise. This man stole
from you7'
The captain once more studied Nelson
closely, but that gentleman displayed
no interest whatever in the discussion.
hiicH he doesn5t look ii" went on
Betty. Il didn't think so either. But
the fact remains. He took the money.
mere was no one else in the house but
my husband and myself Nobody could
nave got in during the night, for every
tflng was securely locked up Besides,
nothing was disturbed in the morning
"hen we discovered the money was
gone"
Tell me the whole story. madam. -
said the capt-in. who seemed unusually
interested
There is nothing much to tell" an
sWered Betty, who was beginning 10
regain her confidence. This man"-she
looked severely at Nelson came TO nv
apartment under the pretense of wish
ing to secure room and board. / had
advertised for bo:trder in the papers
de saw the notice and called"
Well. what then ," asked the cap
tain
might have kEown that something
was wrong" continued Betty.
Ny husband told me so soon as he
learned what ! had done But have
never had any experience with
She hesitated a moment. then looked
out OF the window i'm embarrassment he
fore continuing:
with confidence men and-and
thieves. she went on. Il didn't suspect
this man at all. He seemed to be a gen
tleman- ] didn't know then that most
thleves are gentlemen. How courc /
When had never met one before il. nv
me- III know better next time
NE captain SIN led at this remark but
resumed his noT-comn1ittaI expression
the next moment
was anxious 10 rent nv room and
] was delighted because I had soc,,re7
ooarder at last. He didn't bring refer
ences or baggage. or pay me anything
IN advance, as / nov understand ali
proper boarders are required 10 do you
see. ] have never rented q room, 49,,
viii know better next time about ma
also suppose one must have nor
sonal experience TO get along in tbe
world. 'ii tue
Gun nelson said nothing, and the cap
an gave an his attention 10 Betty.
as II should be done" continued PEI
lie was clever enough TO have
an excuse ready for everything re
explained all about lis bagoace "a
MS reason for not paying in advance
was that he had changed his ciorbo.
ana MS money was in the suit he had
left AZ the hotel I must admit that
Ii all sounded very plausible IN mo
ana accepted every statement he
made, and took him IN lust as II he
had been some one / knew very well
instead OF an ute stranger"
What about tie thousand dollarso,'
asked the captain
I'm coming 10 that" said BETTY IT
had 10 tell you all these other details
first He liked the room and the din
ner l cooked for him that day"
'Oh, he stayed 10 dinner" remarked
the captain
And an excellent dinner it was.
too, interposed Nelson. but he sub
sided Immediately afterwards.
Yes. He pretended 10 enjoy il. al
though it was only steak and potatoes
and"
And scor"ked soup interrupted Mel
son 1T was delicious"
When my husband came home that
night continued Betty
Was your husband at dinner?"
He was delayed down town on BUSH
ness" Betty explained. HE is an
auditor for a coffee brokers' firm and
sometimes ne detained
Il see" said the captain. Men will
be detained sometimes"
lie was evidently Interested IN Betty
and her story. Had she been less pref
~. less charming. ne would doubtless
have preserved hIs strict demeano. 10
The end and there would have been no
feminine. rambling explorations, but
somehow tie captain let Betty 20 on
ia neT own way.
He did not enfaUGIe her with mis-
leading inquiries. lie wanted TO hear
her tell her own Story after ner ow-.
fashion. And tbs was Just what she
intended TO 40 j. there had been
dozen captains on the spot instead OF
only one.
When my husband came home that
night proceeded Betty. not al all dis
concerted, he brought with him a thou
sand dollars"
A thousand dollars" repeated the
captain.
Yes"
Ana is he III the habit Of carrying
such sums OF money about with Fjm2-
oh, no." answered Betty. This was
the first time Re ha ever brought any
thir2 home besides his salary
And how much is that"
Fifty dollars a weK
Where did he say ne got The .hoti-
sand dollars asked the captain
- RHG - So -