Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-08-04
DAILY SHORT STORIES

making himself known.
am broken hearted by this discovery
that Donald Chase Is common thief.
Singular. isn't Il. TINT girl doesn't
know she loves = man till he turns out
to be a thief! That's the way with us
women; we are always acting by con
traries,s Not long ago l was uncertain
about Oscar and thought Donald "A
splendid, man. But was fascinated
with. Oscar, and Donald seemed devoid
Of romance Now that Donald is IN
trouble. through his own fault. I am
giving him my hcart.
GiFard Roberts hns Just come In, He
says that Donald has given bail Cor his
appearance when his trial CONES or
aud Is now free. Girard says that. not
withstahding appearances are against
Donald, he doesn't believe him guilty.
Then" / said. t'I don't believe him
guilty either" But the next minute 1
renroyed myself for being influenced
by this easy going man. Did he not
say when asked him his opinion OF
Dopald before this matter occurred.
Hes good fellow tooy What's the
use OF considering the views or 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-
I'll his innocence has been proved. L
really believe there has been some mis-
take, but 1t 1, very hard to feel sure
about ii. 1t all happened so naturally
-Donaid's coming In just when the
money was where he would see Tat
least. who else could have come IMP
and the bills being found in his bureau
drawer. oh. dear! j must stop think
ing OF the horrid thing or shall go
crazy.
One thing more I 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 I'm his bureau draw
ef couldn't be so generous as to at
tribute the theft to an error.
Donald has been to see me. lie did
not act or talk like guilty man.
What's more, he didn't seem to realize
HIS awful position. supposed that
he was more sensitive. Though chargl
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 he was downstairs I nerved
myself for, a very painful interview
For fear should say the wrong thing
j 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 VIII all do anything I'm the world
to help you-Aunty. I. Oscar
looked up md 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 1t gentle pressure.
Don't he troubled. little girl" he
said. There are always wheels with
In wheels, There is also such a thing
MS being too smart have some
thing to say to you. Had / not I
would not have come to see you rest
Ing under the imputation OF being n
thief. Listen. From the first I 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 aetcctive.'
"Thats what he is. He Jajd n tron
for Richmond and cnught not Rich
inond. but me. He bought your aunt's
diamond Tor the purpose Of laying this
rap. He put the bills TO pay for 1t on
The mantel as n decoy for Richmond.
They were 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 man with them TO my
room. This man represented himself as
an old chum Of mine, and my Iandlady
permitted him TO go TO the room to
wait for me. Once there. he put the
money In my bureau drawer ana went
away. The next day Richmond ar
ranged that a constable should go to
- '"''' W SNthtn lOI SODtlnlUH nc
GAINED he had lost. You know the re-
suit"
But" said. oscar Richmond did
nothing criminal You were irving To
catch him, and he turned the tables OH
you"
walt bit. Richmond was an ac-
countant for n firm in San francisco.
from whom nc skipped with $4,000.
Roberts was employed by them 10
track him. My employing Roberts was
a coincidence. RichinOnd's real name
Is Machinery. lie was arrested this
morning and IS now awaitine cxfradl.
ton papers TO take him to san Fran.
cisco for trial"
And now am alone in my room. try
Ing to get settled down 20 the fact that
] om myself. Oscar Richmond Is not
{ ear Richmond at all. but somebody