Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1910-08-13

came right In. was waiting for some
us, when he noticed the bills. He nm
have taken them and gone out with,
making himself known.
am broken hearted by this dlscoye,
that Donald Chase is a common thls
Singular. isn't 1t, that girl doesr
know she loves man TIL he turns q
to be a thief? That's the way with
women; we are always acting by Co
traries. Not long ago was unceru
about Oscar and thought Donald
splendid man. But l was fasclnat,
with Oscar. and Donald seemed devc
Of romance. Now that Donald Is
trouble, through his own fault, 4
giving him my heart.
Girard Roberts has Just come in d
says that Donald has given bail for
appearance when his trial cones
and is now free. Girard says that, nd
withstanding appearances are again
Donald, he doesn't believe him guild
''Then." / said, II don't believe IA
guilty either" But the next minute
reproved myself for being infuencl
by this easy going man. Did he d
say when l asked him his opinion
Donald before this matter occurd
Hes good fellow too?" What's d
use of considering the views Of d
who talks like thatl ] told Girard
tell Donald to come and see me, but
said he did not think Donald would d
It'll his innocence has been proved.
really believe there has been some nj
take. but It is very hard to feel sd
about it. 1t all happened so natural
-Donald's coming in just when 4
money was where he would see it,
least. who else could have come Inf
and the bills being found In his bure'
drawer. Oh, dear! must stop thld
ing of the horrid thing or I shall
crazy.
One thing more will say: After 7
there is something just too lovely 4
anything in Girard Roberts saying III
he doesn't believe Donald guilty.
any one should take anything of nd
and 1t were found In his bureau drs
er l couldn't be so generous as to
tribute the theft to an error
Donald has been to see me. He
not act or talk like a guilty md
What's more. he didn't seem to real
his awful position. supposed d
he was more sensitive. Though cha
ed with stealing money that was
tended for aunty, with whom he
been on friendly terms for years.
say nothing of his devotion to me-
seemed very unconcerned. When
learned he was downstairs | nerv
myself for a very painful intervid
For fear l should say the wrong TIL 4
thought over what should 81
When l entered the room / dreaded
look at him. Indeed, kept my al
on the floor.
Donald" said, "you know how
terested we all are that you shoIN
clear yourself of this horrible char
We will all do anything in the wu
to help you-Aunty, l. Oscar
l looked up, and what was my s.
prise to see an amused look on ID
AIDS face. Indeed, he was smiling.
Then he advanced. took my hand q
gave 1t a gentle pressure.
Don't be troubled, little girl"
said. There are always wheels win
in wheels. There is also such thI
as being too smart. have sod
thing to say to you. Had l moi
would not have come to see you "a
ing under the imputation of being
thief. Listen. From the first 81
pected something wrong In your frld
Oscar Richmond. From what bed
l believed him to be thief. l ind
duced into this household Girard I'd
erts, a detective'-
"A detectiver
"That's what he is. He laid a n
for Richmond and caught not RID
mond, but me. He bought your aun
diamond for the purpose of laying h
trap. He put the bills to pay for 1t
the mantel as decoy for Richmol
They were all marked, that he mid
prove them his property. RichmC
took them, but, being smart RON
and suspecttng that we were on
track, sent man with them to n
room. This man represented himself
an old chum of mine, and my landla
permitted him to go to the room
walt for me. Once there, he put q
money in my bureau drawer and w4
away. The next day Richmond
ranged that constable should 80 u
my room to search for something f
claimed he had lost. You know the "
suit"
But" I said, Oscar Richmond &
nothing criminal. You were trying N
catch him, and he turned the tables
you"
wait a bit. Richmond was an
countant for firm In San Francis
from whom he skipped with soon
Roberts was employed by them
track him. My employing Roberts
coincidence. Richmond's real ma
is Machinery. He was arrested
morning and is now awaiting extra
ton papers to take him to San Fr
cisco for trial."
And now 1 am alone In my room,
Ing to get settled down to the fact #
/ am myself. Oscar Richmond is
Oscar Richmond at all, but somebd
else and a criminal. Donald Chase
not going to the penitentiary, but 4
be my husband instead. Girard B
erts, who came to us with his apE
emily light character and trivial wo
"a skin deep man whom nobody eli
loves or dislikes-turns out to be ond
fhnaa rupnf.,p dataotIxras ooo "a