Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-08-13

have taken them and gone out without
making himself known.
am broken hearted by this discovery
that Donald Chase Is common thief.
Singular. isn't Il. that girl doesn't
know she loves man I'LL be turns out
to be n theft That's the way With US
women: we are always acting by con-
trarics. Not long ago 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. ! am
giving him my heart.
Girard Roberts has just come In lie
says that Donald has given bail for Ills
appearance when his trial comes OF
and Is now free. Glrard says that. not.
wlthstanding appearances arc against
Donald. he doesn't believe him guilty.
"Then." ! said. II don't believe him
guilty either" But the next minute |
rcprovcd myself for being Influenced
by this easy going man. Did he not
say when | asked him his opinion OF
Donald before this matter occurred.
Hes q good fellow toof' What's the
use OF considering the views OF one
who talks like that? ! told Girard 20
tell Donald 10 come and see me. but he
said he did not think Donald would un-
I'll his innocence has been proved.
really believe there has been some mis-
take, but It is very hard to feel sure
about It. II all happened 80 naturally
-Donald's coming In just when the
money was where be would see it--at
least, who else could have come INF
and the bills being found 10 his bureau
drawer. oh. dear! must stop think
ing OF the horrid thing or shall 90
crazy.
Ono 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 Ia 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 guilty man.
what's more. he didn't seem to realize
his awful position. 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 he was downstairs nerved
myself for a very painful interview.
For fear l should say the wrong thing
| thought over what should say.
When entered the room l dreaded to
look at him. Indeed. kept my eyes
on the floor.
Donald" l 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 WIS my sur.
prise 10 see an amused look on Don.
aids faco. Indeed. he was smiling
Then he advanced. took my hand aud
buNC a. u btutio
Don't be troubled, little girl" he
said. There are always wheels with.
I'm wheels There Is also such 4 thing
as being too smart. have some
thing TO say 10 you. Had not
would not have come to see ron rest
ing under the lmputation of being =
thief. Listen. From the FIRST sus-
pected something wrong In your friend
Oscar Richmond. From what heard
believed him TO be thief. | intro.
duced into this household Girard Rob.
erts. detective"-
"a detectivcr'
That's what he Is. He laid O trap
for Richmond and caught not Rich.
mond. but me. lie bought your auni's
diamond for the purpose OF laying this
trap lie put the bills TO pay for II on
the mantel as a decoy for Richmond.
They were all marked. that he might
prove them his property. Richmond
took them. but. being smart rogue
and suspectlng that we were on his
track. sent n man with them 10 my
AVtA4s EAS mum tGpt toThtNn btth'NAA oo
an old chum of mine. and my landlady
permitted him TO 60 TO the room TO
wait for me. Once there. he put the
money In my bureau drawer aud went
away. The next day Richmond ar
ranged that constable should go to
my room to search for something he
claimed he had lost. Ton 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 nrm in San Francisco.
from whom he skipped with $4,000.
Roberts was employed by them to
track him. Ny employing Roberts was
a coincidence. Richmond's real name
is Machinery. He was arrested this
morning and Is now awaiting sxtradi-
ton papers TO tahs him TO San Fran
cisco for trial."
And now am alone IN my room. try
a. A., a. al. Na. AoA