The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1910-01-18

kenniOn. ,oshes
"Ob. very we'll; then that squasneS
the idea entirely. unless. LOOK ne,e'
,ybv not assume the character OF ING
tb,ef yourself, and send her letter say
mo Won have repented and return the
money!" ,,,, .,,xt
But don't want her to think tn@'
I'm bad lot"
"Well. she needn't know that you sent
it. You can pretend to be an ordinary
pickpocket."
$50 | can, never thought OF that.
BY Jove. it's grand ideal Where 'ne
pen and ink? What shall say? 1--WE
us lift, old chap. You're dab hand al
this sort OF thing"
took up my pen, and, after a niue
thought. dashed of the following let
ter:
"Derc Miss: This Is from me, the
bloke wot TUX yer purse sens the muhy
bak bekause yer father wos once very
kind ter me when ! wos down on mi
luck, an noas yer needs 1t sight more
than does, yer humble servant, BIZ
Nokes."
"How will that do?'' said. as l tossed
It across the table.
"Splendid-splendd!" he cried, as he
ran his eyes over it. Its worthy OF Bill
Skies himself. III send it off this very
minute" And he thrust it in an en-
velope in company with fve-pound
note.
you'll let me know how it answers?
] said, as he took up his hat.
"Oh, yes" And then, with a hasty
good night, he went flying down the
stairs to catch the post.
The following morning it happened
that matter OF business took me in the
vicinity of Defendants chambers and.
having half an hour to spare. ] deter
mined to call and see II he had heard
anything in connection with his plot.
AS | was about to enter his sitting
room, however, heard the sound OF
voices. and hasty glance showed NE
that he was engaged. A young lady was
standing by the table. facing Deben-
Is
boy caught in an orchard.
~ got it back this morning" the girl
was saying. "A man who is employed
on the railway picked it up as he was
on his way to his work."
I'll am very glad" Debenham MUIR
INJURED nervously. He must have been
an honest fellow"
"Yes," she said. But the strange
part Of it is that by this mornings post
there came letter from ia thief, in
closing five-pound note. You can
read it if you like"
And she handed him the precious mis-
sive ! had concocted.
He read it in feigned establishment.
II never heard of such curious
thing" he murmured. ITS positively
Isn't it, you know?"
Of course, this childhke attempt al
deception didn't deceive the girl.
"Mr. Debenham," she said, you
wrote this letter; you sent this note"
II? Really, Miss"
"Oh, yes you did. It's no use denying
it. No one else knew of our loss."
There was pause. Debensam stood
looking very red and foolish.
Come. you'd better confess" she sale
at length.
He rumpled his hair in a reckless
fashion.
1T seems impossible for fellow tc
do good action in this world!" he
cried. Hes sure to be found out!"
Then you did send it?"
"Ye-es. You see. you wouldn't let me
heIp you. and $3.50 it struck me thai
it would be capital idea to pretent
that | was the thief" (the hnmbug! his
idea, indeedD. II never thought for {
moment that you'd see your purse
again. and if you hadn't done so, m,
little dodge would never have come te
light"
mo, l don't think it would" she an
swered, "for that was q most realistic
letter you wrote"
Debenham groaned.
you can't think what an effort I,
cost me-" he said.
What an effort, indeed!
Il do hope you will let me keep it a.
memento?"
"ies-if you will promise to forgive
me?"
oh, there is nothing to forgivel II
was very good OF you"
AT this moment caught a glimpse NJ
her face, and was forced to admit tba,
Debenham had some reason for his ex
travagant praise.
And you will not think the worse q,
me for-for trying to deceive you Y' he
went on. Really, he was getting posi-
lively absurd, from his voice one would
nave supposed that he was prisone,
suing for his life.
"Oh, think better of you'll" she cried
II shall never forget your kindness. >
And as she gave him her hand she
blushed in ridiculous fashion.
Then Debenham made an ass If hin,
self. Instead of simply shaking hand.
and saying good-morning, he held he,
fingers and said nothing, but lust
stared at her in moonstruck kind OF
way that was quite idiotic. and sb.
dropped her head like little silly an,
went the color of peony; then. Ru,
ut TINS point couldn't stand it an,