The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-03-13

Wv Charles Nelson! I don't
understand"
You must nave recognized him in the
automobile. His face was turned to-
ward you, said Betty.
DO you mean to say that that man
was Nelson, the thief, vino was riding
with you2' asked Wharton
"Of course. L can't understand why
you didn't know him
For the simple reason that 7 have
never had the exquisite pleasure Of
meeting the gentleman in person., re-
Joined wharton IF you will use your
memory a bit. you viii recollect that
YOU are the sole member of the Whar-
tor family who has had the honor of
his acquaintance. But this is too much.
You, Riding merrily around the park
with a thief. Are you losing your
senses. What does it all mean?"
That's what 1 have been trying TO
tell you ever since 1 came in replied
BETTY. But you wouldn't let me. You
persisted in thinking that in some way
l was deceiving you, that l was oct
for good time; that 1 was enjoying
myself, when all the time I was wonder
ing how / could get my money back"
indeed exclaimed Wharton.
Wasn't it romantic?' -
Romantic, 1 should say So" replied
Wharton. ITO ride about town with a
thief is certainly romantic,"
I mean the circumstances of my find
ing him." said Betty. You know, Will,
1 usually accomplish what I set out 10
do And this morning when you left 1
said TO myself, I will surprise VIII.
He has forbidden me TO tell the police
50 I will turn detective myself
"A brilliant idea"
Il don't like detective work, though, -
said Betty gravely.
Really"
no. II all thieves are as kind as
Mr.. Nelson, 1 couldn't have the heart
10 give them up. It would be too much"
"Oh, then you really have a tender
spot in your affections for this man?'
Don't misunderstood, Betty ex-
planned "If he were an honest man
you might say something like that and
] wouldn't deny it. Why be Nypocrit-
zeal? But a thief The idea is horrible.
You know how I have always despised
everything that is dishonest and de-
ceitful. I coul8 forgive a man every
thing. anything. provided he were hon
ora BILE"
DO you mean to say that there is
any honor I'm this thief
II wasn't speaking OF HIM" went on
Betty. Since you mention IL, how
ever, ne was honorable IN a way"
In way? What do you mean by
that? How can thief be honorable in
AWAY? How can he be honorable In
the slightest degree? If ne wore old
clothes and had a dirty face and car
ried dark-lantern II would never cross
your mind that he had the slightest
conception OF the word honesty But
becSuse he has what you have describ-
ed to me as a Gibson face and the pre-
tentious manners Of a gentleman and
wears good clothes, bought with stoleT
money, you actually set out to defend
1Nm."
Betty sat lost in thought Her min,
was fun Of Nelson She hadn't though
of him in that light before, but whar
tons words were making her realz
Nelson was not a common thief. Their
r. toould be no question on that point.
Had there been such thing as Al
honorable thief she would instantane
oUEiy have pronounced him OF tina
class. She compared him with her nus
band. and owned to herself, with
blush OF shame that Of the two Nelson
was FAR above Wharton in breeding
whether natural or assumed
Why do you say such things con
corning such low speciman OF
man7' Wharton wanted 10 know. H
must have hypnotized YOU"
Nothing OF the kind" replied Betty
You will thing differently when yo
hear the rest Of my story
"Oh, there Is moro TO come? though
II would end there"
oh, no. said Betty The best
yet 10 be told"
II suppose" said Wharton sarcas
tidally. With a contemptuous curl o
his unpper lip, that, after drying you
tears and playing tho gallant, he con
veniently set you down from the au
tOmobiIe and dashed quickly around tn
corner before YOU were aware that D
had escaped-just as quickly as yo
and he disappeared from my view tC
day."
oh, by the way. WILL interrupte
Betty, speaking OF the park wha
were you doing as far uptown as ll0t
street in the middle OF the afternoon?
II had 10 20 up there on bushes
for the firm" answered Wharton.
Betty waited biz anxiously for tn
reply When IL came she was evident
satisfied
That's what ] told Mr. Nelson" sh
said.
Nelson" an2rily exclaimed Whal
ton. What business is it Of his whetf
er I am uptown or downtown at an
time"
- don't know" replied Betty. H
merely asked II YOU often strayed s
FAR away from the office. and / said ~
Then he said of course / would kno'
All about il # YOU did and ! told hi
yes. Of course because you never ha
secrets from me. You haven't. hay
YOU, WIZ
Certainly not" quickly snswere
Wharton, with an angry CLEAN in hi
eyes. What does that low-down thie
mean by trying 20 pry into nay a
fairs2"
why. VIII, he wasn't prying int
them. He didn't say anything more a
Ear that"