The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1910-03-31
M SHE NEVER TOOK
ANOTHER SOUVENIR

it."
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 or the girls face.
Her confidence had returned n her
emotion was that of merely outraged
dignity.
ed the detective, by way of introduce
ton. The proprietor adjusted his
glasses n transhxed the pair with a
long. cold stare.
For several minutes nothing was
said. and Their 1t 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" sasped 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.
ers! Smithers! That's good, that is"
Why, Uncle Charley
"Hush!" Kissed the uncle in her ear.
i can't tell them my real name. Think
OF the scandal"
"Smithers! I call that mighty good"
repeated the detective. And then with
a bound he crossed the room. stood
over his prisoner. n stared him saw
agely in the face.
You've never answered to the name
OF Fosdtck, have you?" he beloved.
"Phoney Fosdick?"
The wretched man shook his head.
This man Fosdick." began the detec-
tive, in q 'show-up' one of voice, did
time in Columbus, Ohio, in IS, for petit
larceny; in Joliet in 90 for porch climb
ing: in L~eavenworth in 90 for hog
stealing n in Jefferson City in 80 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.
H is" ~corroborated the detective.
Also he COPIED the curtains out of
313, 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
which he had snatched from the I'M
willing hands of the barber shop porter
oNAoAS. olAS . hllo"l1
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.
The resemblance is striking. Yes it
Is she," agreed the proprietor.
ut is a falsehood!" protested the girl.
1T is absolutely untrue!"
The detective picked the hand bag
from of her lap, n 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" h confessed, but
but only for souvenirs"
Her distress was genuine; it was
more than they had bargained for. The
grinned sheepishly, while the
detective tugged at his mustache in an
to hide his confusion. Nevins
alone was unmoved.
They watched her silently for awhile,
each waiting for the other to relieve the
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-
her somehow, hat it was all a
farce. So pitching his voice fou
octaves below middle C, and getting
step with the music, he began:
Il once had a little girul-and had
she have ltved-she would have been
your own. age"
Nix, boss" whispered the detective.
Cut out h a Silver King talk-or
she'll tumble, and besides you haven't
got the make-up-you're b%ald-headed.
And, anyway" he added enigmatically,
she's cryin' enough now
The girl was sebbing softly and New
with a sardonic smile, rose to his
feet. Mr.. Proprietor" he said, pulling
out the tremolo stop that had served
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
guilty. Sitting alone tonight by the
Preside back at the old homestead is
return Of her only daughter
The detective waved and shook MIS-
head frantically, SO the lawyer inhaled
his statement with:
"Of course, / was speaking fgura-
lively, in an effort, my dear sir, to
conceal this young woman's identity. If
facts you must have, I will tell you
the old homestead is q modern
fiat; that the fireside is a gas crate:
and that her mother is not aged. But
these things have nothing to- do with
plea. l am asking you, begging
you to give us one more chance@one
Can't you let us go-thfs time? p.
Yes, In heavens name do" pleaded
the girl, looking UP with -tear-statnee
face.
The proprietor pondered gravely.
Il will" he said at last. upon one
condition.
And that isYs they asked in a
breath.
And that is that you never, never
AXE any more souvenirs.s
w never WILL" promised the girl,
thankfully.
AS they left the room Nevins tarried
a moment by the door.
IT believe she's cured he whis-
pered.
tor.