Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-10-27

that Donald Chase is common thief.
Singular, isn't 1t. that girl doesn't
know she loves a man till he turns out
to be A thief? That's the way with us
women; we are always acting by con-
traries. Not long ago was uncertain
about Oscar and thought Donald a
splendid man. But l was fascinated
with Oscar, and Donald seemed devoid
| OF romance. Now that Donald Is in
trouble, through his own fault am
| giving him my heart.
/ Girard Roberts has just come in. He
says that Donald has given bail for his
| appearance when his trial comes OF
and Is now free. Girard says that. not
withstanding appearances are against
| Donald. he doesn't believe him guilty,
Then" said. Il don't believe him
guilty either" But the next minute I
reproved myself for being Influenced
by this easy going man. Did he not
| say when l asked him his opinion Of
Donald before this matter occurred.
Hes good fellow too?' What's the
use Of considering the views OF one
who talks like that? / told Girard to
tell Donald to come and see me. but he
said he did not think Donald would un-
| til his innocence has been proved. |
really believe there has been some mis-
take, but 1t Is very hard to feel sure
about 1t. 1t all happened SO naturally
| -DOnald's coming In just when the
money was where he would see it-at
| least. who else could have come in?--
and the bills being fouhd F1n~ilis bureau
drawer. Oh. dear! must stop think
ing Of the horrid thing or shall go
crazy.
One thing more will say: After all,
there Is something just too lovely for
anything in Girard Roberts saying that
he doesn't believe Donald guilty. II
any one should take anything of mine
and 1t were found in his bureau draw
er / couldn't be so generous as to at
tribute the theft to an error.
Donald has been to see me. He did
not act or talk like a guilty man.
What's more. be didn't seem to realize
his awful position I'supposed that
he was more sensitive. Though charg-
ed with stealing money that was in
tended for aunty, with whom he has
been on friendly terms for years. to
say nothing Of his devotion to me. he
seemed very unconcerned. When |
learned be was downstairs | nerved
myself for a very painful interview.
For fear | should say the wrong thing
| thought over what | should say.
When entered the room | dreaded to
look at him. Indeed, kept my eyes
on the floor,
Donald" / said. you know how in
terested we all are that you should
clear yourself of this horrible charge.
We will all do anything In the world
to help you-Aunty, |, Oscar
looked up, and what was my sur
prise to see an amused look on DON
AIDS face. Indeed. he was smiling.
Then he advanced, took my hand and
gave it gentle pressure.
Don't be troubled, little girl he
said. There are always wheels with
In wheels, There is also such thing
as being too smart. have some
thing to say to you. Had I not l
would not have come to see you rest
ing under the lmputation Of being a
thief. Listen. From the first ! sus-
pected something wrong in your friend
Oscar Richmond. From what heard
| believed him to be a thief. intro
duced into this household Girard Rob-
erts, detective
"A detectiver'
That's what he is. He laid trap
for Richmond and caught not Rich
mond. but me. He bought your aunt's
diamond for the purpose of laying this
trap. He put the bills TO pay for It on
the maRtel as decoy for Richmond.
They We're all marked. that he might
prove them his property. Richmond
took them. but. being a smart rogue
and suspecting that we were on his
track, sent a man with them TO my
room. This man represented himself as
an OLD Ghum Of mine, and my landlady
permitted him to go to the room to
walt for me. Once there, be put the
money in my bureau drawer and went
away. The next day Richmond ar
ranged that a constable should go to
my room to search for something he
claimed be had lost. You know the re-
suit"
But" said. oscar Richmond did
nothing criminal. You were trying to
catch him. and he turned the tables on
you"
wait a bit. Richmond was an ac-
countant for firm in San Francisco.
from whom he skipped with $4,000.
Roberts was employed by them to
track him. My employing Roberts was
coincidence. Richmond's real name
is Machinery. He was arrested this
morning and is now awaiting extradi-
tion papers to take him to San Fran
cisco for trial"
And now I am alone in my room, try
ing to get settled down to the fact that
l am myself Oscar Richmond is not
Oscar Richmond at ALL but somebody
else. and criminal. Donald Chase is
not going to the penitentiary. but is to
be my husband instead Girard Rob
erts, who came to us with his appar-
emily light character and trivial words
"a Skin deep man whom nobody either |