Evening journal., 1909-12-16
A CONUNDRUM.


lover who had committed a criminal
ofrense. Miss Catherwood declared
that q wife In such an event, II the
crime were not too fragrant, was in
duty bound TO give her husband the
benefit OF her support and encourage
ment. but not a tnnce. For herself she
would break an engagement with any
man who proved himself unworthy.
Several Of the guests looked at Glenn
inquiringly. Noticing their glances. he
remarked. "lf the girl loved sinned
l would stand by her not because it
was my duty. but because loved
her"
spoken like a man." snid the host.
But really the case would be re-
versed. A man would stand by wo-
man in such a case through either
duty or pity or both. The woman
would stand by the man through
love"
There WAS some debate on this prop
isitiou. but when the party left the
table the subject was dropped and for
gotten.
One day a week later the host called
his guests Unto the drawing room. shut
/ the doors and said TO them:
"One Of us. lady. this morning left
a valuable brooch on her dresser when
she came down TO breakfast, but,
thinking it unwise to leave an article
of such value so exposed. went imme-
diately back for it, She had not been
gone from her room five minutes. but
the brooch was gone. investigation
has convinced me that there was no
one I'm the house except those in this
apartment and the servants and that
none OF the servants was upstairs at
the time one of US is n thiek My
only action I'm the matter shall be TO
express my regret at the occurrence TO
you all and TO reimburse my guest for
her loss"
Every one stood mute for a moment.
Then one Of the men said:
81. for one, cannot rest even as one
OF number thus suspected. de-
mand that while we are here you have
our rooms searched and then search
every one OF us
Every guest joined in the demand.
but II was proposed that the guests be
first searched. since If the brooch were
found on any of them they would the
sooner be relieved from an embar-
RAISING confinement. A committee Of
two. n man and a woman. were deput-
ed to make the search.
Laura Catherwood had been exam
ined and was standing apart from the
throng when Herbert Glenn approach
ed her and. giving her an appealing
look. handed her something wrapped
in bit Of paper
Had the roof dropped upon her she
could not have been more startled or
crushed. Not knowing what to do,
she did nothing. She deemed il her
duty TO denounce her lover, but could
not force her tongue to speak the
words Glenn was the last man
searched. after which the doors were
thrown open and the guests scattered,
Glenn and Miss Catherwood alone re-
naming in the drawing room.
How could you have done such a
thing?" were the FIRST words gasped by
Miss Catherwood.
Il wanted it for you. 1t was done
in a moment when all realization OF
the enormity Of the offense had de-
serted me. passed an open door, saw
the brooch. aud a sudden desire seized
me TO see It in your possession. When
! it was too late I saw what / had dOue
! release you from your engagement.
All ask is your forgiveness"
Miss Catherwood without a word
left him. For two days he pleaded his
cause with her. though he asked only
for forgiveness. not a continuance OF
their engagement. On the third day
she forgave him. at the same time
breaking the engagement. and on the
fifth consented to take him back OF
! probation.
The evening that Glenn was restor
ed. while the psrty were at dinner, q
small gold covered dish was brough
in and placed on the table before thI
host.
whats in it?" he asked.
There were plenty OF guesses, bu
none correct. at last all cried, Civ
! { up"
Perhaps you may remember" sait
he host. "a discussion az this tabl
uring which I averred that a woma
gould stand by q man she loved
use he prove unworthy and becau
he loved him. II was determined l
ween Herbert Glenn and myself
rrange test case. Herbert being
irous 10 see If his fiaucee would
Is she had said she would II he al
peared as a criminal stole th
brooch and turned il over 10 Herbert