The Topeka state journal., 1911-09-26

shuddered as she cast furtive glances
at him.
On his side. Mr.. Ascott stuck to his
first opinion. Miss Asher not guilty
or any greater crime than that OF be-
ing an old maid in search of matri-
nony That. however, when he was
the target, was a greater crime than
shoplifting.
One day when a week had gone
past, Mr.. Ascot had startling tale
to tell the landlord. He had come in
from his daily fishing to find that he
had been robbed of a roll of fifty dol
lars He had carelessly left the money
on the bureau in his room.
Sorry-very sorry" was the land
lords reply. but you can't hold me
responsible. There's notice on your
door,
But is your help honest?"
straight as a string"
Then-then-'
You remember never introduced
you never do. 1 feed and lodge and
take no responsibility"
And it was hardly an hour later
when Miss Archer. who had been out
for walk was saying to the non-re-
sponsible:
Il am sure left my diamond ring
on the washstand when I went out
and now it's gone!"
"Sorry-very sorry, ma'am. but you
should have left it in the Office. My
wife tends to your room, and 1 hope
you don't think she took it."
did"
''Just so-just so.'
And I've got my suspicions!"
Dear mel Well, I won't ask what
man you suspect Inever do ask those
things. I simply feed and lodge"
And 1 may have his room searched
even have him arrested!" continued
Miss Asher as she turned away. "Who
is that man. anyway"
Cant say, ma'am. Unless my
guests tell me who they are and all
about themselves I don't know a
thing"
He may be a criminal"
Yes, he may. No telling what any
body is these days-not by their
lookS.'
In Difference to what she knew must
be an embarrassing situation, the land
lords s wife, at the next meal seated
the guests with their backs to each
other, and bribed a boy to stand out
side one of the windows and keen up a
constant whistIing to relieve the awful
strain, but the stratagems were only
partly successful. Mr.. Ascot had his
suspicious and they would not down
II the hotel people were honest then
He was out. His door was
not locked The roll of greenbacks
was temptation. He could not hope
to recover his cash. but
And with her back to him and sit
ting as stiff as poker, Miss Asher felt
that the old bachelor had a guilty look
on his face, and that if given the
third degree" by the sheriff he would
break down and restore his plunder.
She wondered If she lowered over him
and appealed and threatened and
spoke of his mother, who was probably
a saint in heaven, if she could not
touch his heart. She finally decided
that she could not. At his age he
would be hardened in crime and not
care copper whether his mother was
in heaven or some other place.
That night was moonlit. There was
a veranda running along the second
story of the inn, and at about the hour
of the landlords wife beckoned him
from the Office and up the first flight
and whispered:
They are together out on the We
r!d4,',
And sitting near each otherl"
mol"
"And talking poetry and things!,
can't believe it, and I can't be
held reSponsiblei'
"She found her ring in the wash
stand drawer and he found his money
in the hind pocket of his other trous-
ers. They rushed out of their rooms
and almost embraced. He begged her
pardon and she begged his. He said
ne had not suspected lady like her,
ana she said SIZE had taken him for a
gentleman at the first glance"
"And-and what?'
''Why, the romance of the thing. YOU
old goosel"
They'll fall IN love?"
"Of course
well, let 'em. I don't know but
that's the best way, but YOU listen to |
me, Martha, and remember what I saw |
4 will not be responsible for itl"-
Copyright, 1911, by Associated Liter