Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1910-04-08
AND SHE NEVER TOOK
ANOTHER SOUVENIR

They rose. the girl clutching her
uncle's arm, and followed the detective
out OF the room, through the long
| corridor and into the private office.
The proprietor was at his desk when
they entered, and he was struck at the
look of Indignation on h girls face
Her confidence had returned and her
emotion was that Of merely outraged
dignity.
"A couple of swell crooks" announc-
ed the detective, by way Of introduce
ton. The proprietor adjusted his
glasses and transfxed the pair with a
long, cold stare.
For several minutes nothing was
said. and then it was the detective who
broke the silence.
sit down, both of you!" he shouted
with a sudden ferocity.
They dropped into chairs as though
the floor had given away beneath them.
Tell them who you are, Uncle Char
ley" gasped the girl. This is out
rageous!"
My name" said Nevins, sis John T.
Smithers; and you will suffer dearly
for this"
The big man turned to his employer.
Good, amt he?" he scoffed. Smith
Why. Uncle Charley"
AAooLs iAiroNN an eAASiS IA ANA NNA
Il can't tell them my real name. Think
OF the scandal"
"Smithers! 1 call that mighty good"
repeated the detective. And then with
a bound he crossed the room, stood
yer his prisoner, and stared him saw
agely in the face.
You've never answered to the name
of Fosdick, have your" he beloved.
"Phoney Fosdick?"
Tho yrntobpH mon Shppk hiS head
This mar Fosdick," began the detec-
tive, in a 'show-up' tone of voice, did
time in Columbus, Ohio, in 'SS, for petit
larceny; In Joliet in '92 for porch climb
ing: in LeaVenworth IN '9s fer hog
stealing and in Jefferson City in so for
bigamy."
The girl paled.
It's false!" she cried.
The proprietor scrutinized the culprit
carefully. Il believe he's the fellow
that stole the ring out Of 427," he said.
He is" corroborated the detective.
Also he copied the curtains out of
5l3, and likewise the electric light bulbs
out of 1872"
And who is the woman?" asked the
proprietor.
I'll just read you her history" re-
piled the big man, producing a certain
pink tinted, weekly sporting paper
w iIlCLl Ilt Ldu SlldtCIltu llOlIl Tile ui-
willing hands of the barber shop porter
but a moment before. She's known
from coast to coast as Innocent Irene
and her speciality is hotel silver Here's
her picture" and the detective held up
a blank page before the eyes Of the
man at the desk.
1.-The resemblance is striking. Yes it
is she" agreed the proprietor. -
1T is a falsehood!" protested the girl.
1T is absolutely untrue!"
The detective picked the hand bag
from off her lap, and opening 1t, drew
forth three spoons, two forks and a salt
cellar. At the same time a salad plate
fell from underneath her accompliCe's
coat and smashed to fragments upon
the marble floor.
The evidence was damning, indeed,
and the girl collapsed and buried her
face in her hands.
Il did take them" she confessed, but
but only for souvenirs.'
Her distress was genuine: it was
more than they had bargained for. The
proprietor grinned sheepishly, while the
detective tugged at his mustache in an
endeavor to hide his confusion. Nevins
alone was unmoved.
They watched her silently for awhile,
eac waiting for the other to relieve the
situation. From the orchestra at the
far end Of the lobby came the lugu-
brious strains of the Flower Song, and
then 1t was that the proprietor became
possessed of a sudden idiocy: He would
end the scene with a touch Of humor-
show her somehow, hat 1t was all a
farce. So pitching his voice four
octaves below middle c, and getting
into step with the music, he began:
Il once had a little girul-and had
she have lived-she would nave been
about your own. age"
Nix, boss" whispered the detective.
"Cut out that Silver King talk-er
she'll tumble, and besides O haven't
got the make-up--you're bald-headed.
And. anyway" he added enigmatically.
shes cryin' enough now"
The girl was sobbing softly and New
ms, with a sardonic smile, rose to his
feet. Mr.. Proprietor" he said, pulling
out the tremolo stop that had served
him so well in many a hard-fought
Jury case, I'VE did take the spoons but
only. only. my dear sir, for souvenirs
Put me in prison If you must, but
spare this innocent girl, for 1 alone
am guilty. Sitting alone tonight by the
fireside ack at the old homestead Is
an aged mother patiently waiting foi
the return of her only daughter--'
The detective waved and shook MS
head sraHticaiiy, s. the lawyer inhaled
his statement with:
"Of course, / was speaking igura-
lively. in an effort, my lear sir, te
| conceal this young womanFs identity. II
facts you must have, l will tell yo,
that the Die homestead is a modern
fiat; that the fireside is a gas CRATE;
| and that her mother is not aged. Blu
these things nave nothing to do with
my plea. l am asking you, begging
you to give us one more chance-on,
more. Can't o let US go-this time p
Yes, in heavens name do" pleaded
the girl, looking up with tear-staineS
face.
The proprietor pondered gravely.
Il WILL" he said at last, upon on,
condition."
And that is?' they asked in
breath.
"And that is that you never. neye
take any more souvenirs"
W. never WILL" promised the girl
thankfully.
AS they left the room Nevins tarrie,
a moment by the door
Il believe she's cured" he whis
pered.
"She certainly Is" said the proprie
tor.