La Junta tribune., 1911-04-01

| am broken hearted by this discovery
that Donald Chase IL common thief.
Singular. isn't II. that a girl doesn't
| know she luves man I'LL lie turns out
TO be a thief: That's the way With us
women: we are always acting by con-
traries. Not long ago ! was uncertain
about Oscar and thought Donald
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 heart.
Girard Roberts has just come in. He
says that Donald has given bail for his
I appearance when his trial comes on
and Is now free. Girard says that. not
! withstanding appearances are against
Donald. he doesn't believe him guilty.
Then" | said. Il don't believe him
J guilty either" But the next minute l
rcproved myself for being influenced
/ by this easy going man. Did he nor
say when | asked him his opinion of
Donald before this matter occurred.
Hes n good fellow too?" What's the
use OF considering the Views Of one
who talks Ike that: I told Girard to
tell Donald To come and see me. hut 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 II is very hard to feel sure
about II. II all happened so naturally
-Donald's coming In just when the
money was where he would see it-at
least who else could have come in:-
and the bills being found In his bureau
drawer oh. dear. | must stop think
Ing of the horrid thing or | shall go
crazy.
One 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. IL
any one should take anything of mine
and 1t were found in his bureau draw
er couldn't be so generous as to At
3 tribute the theft 10 an error.
Donald has been to see me. He did
not act or talk like n guilty man.
What's more. he didn't seem TO realize
his awful position. ! supposed that
he was more sensitive. Though cbarg-
ed with stealing money that was in
tended for aunty. with whom he has
been on friendly terms for years. 10
say nothing of his devotion TO me. he
seemed very unconccrncd. When |
learned hc was downstairs ! nerved
myself for n very painful interview.
For fear ! should say the wrong thing
thought over what | should say.
When entered the room dreaded to
hook nj him. Indeed. kept my eyes
on the floor
Donald" I said. ''you know how In
tcresicl ". all are that you should
clear yourself Of this horrible charge.
We will all do anything In the world
TO help you-Auniy. |. Oscar
looked up. and what WAS my sur
I Prise Ia see an amused look on Don
aids face. Indeed. he was smiling.
Then he advanced. took my bnnd nni
gave II n gentle pressure.
Don't he troubled. little girl" he
said. There nrc always wheels with
IN wheels. There * also such n thing
ns being too smart. have some
Thing To say 10 you. Had I not |
would not have come 10 see you rest
Ing under the impuration Of being a
thief Listen. From the first suS-
pecIed something wrong la your frieud
Oscar Richmond. From what | heard
believed him Ia be u thief intru.
duc.d into this household Girard Rob.
erts. n detective
"a d.i-ctivc.'
That's what he Is. He laid n trap
for Richmond aud caught not Rich
mond. hut me lie bought your auni's
diamond for the purpose ~ laying this
Trap. lie pui the bills To pay for II on
the mau,ci Ms u dccoy for Richmond.
They were all marked. that lie might
prove them his property. Richmond
took them. but. being smart rogu.
nnd snspcciiDs that we were on his
Irack. sent man With them to my
room. This ninn represented himself NJ
mn old chum ~ mlne. aud my iandisdy
l Permitted him to go io the Room To
walt for me. Once there. lie put IN.
money In my bureau dra wer and went
away. The next day Richmond ar
ranged ibsi constable should go 10
my room To search for sonnet hing be
clnin,csi he had lost. Sou know the re-
suit"
hut" ! said. Oscar Richmond did
nothing criminal You were trying to
catch him. and he turned the tables on
you"
Walt bit. inchmond WAS an &C.
countani for n nrm In san Francisco.
from whom he skippd with s.OOO.
Roberts was employed by them to
track him. My employing Itol~r,s was
u coincidence. iiehiDond's real name
II Machinery. lie was arrested this
morning aud - now awaiting -xirHdi.
lion papers Ia tnk" him 10 ssn Fran.
.,ls (..s l.l