Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1911-07-01
A VILE PLOT
THAT FAILED
How a Scheme to Ruin a Girl
Was Frustrated.

years old. and my father married
again. My stepmother soon had chill
dren of her own, and II was to her In
terest that 1 should not marry and
rear a family, for she had arranged
with my father that II he died before
had issue | was to have but small
fraction of his, estate. II, on the con-
trary, | married and had a family. 1
was to have half.
1 did not think Mrs. Mendlcott so
depraved as to commit any overt act
TO keep me from marriage, but be-
lieved she would foster any circum-
stance that might lead to that result
She had a governess for her children.
| Adele Trimball, a sweet. patient girl
OF strong character. with whom fell
In love. As soon as Mrs. Mendicott
discovered the situation she gave Miss
Trimbali notice that she would dis
pense with her services.
The day before her departure she
came into the library. where 1 was
sitting, very much discomposed.
George" she said. Mrs. Mendicott
has made up her mind to keep rs
apart by running me-"
"How do you known"
"Know! I've seen through her from
| the FIRST. What do you suppose she
has donef On going into my room
| just now | found a twenty dollar Dill
on the floor before my dressing table.
Mrs. Mendlcott put It there In the
hope that / would take It ana she
could accuse me OF stealing IT."
what did you do with itY'
left It where she placed It."
''That won't do. I'll go and get It."
hastened to the room and looked all
over the floor. but the bill was not
there, nor could Adele find II when she
went to look for It. Mrs. Mendicott an
nounced that she had lost twenty
dollar bill IN Adele's room when she
went there with her purse in her hand
! to put some clothes In the empty bu-
reau drawers. She left us all to draw
our own differences.
l did not propose that Adele should
rest under such an imputation. ques-
toned my stepmother. not telling her
that had been warned In the matter.
and she con vinced me that she had not
herself taken the money from the
room. questioned the servants. but
gained no clew from any OF them till
/ came to Joe, the colored manservant-
I looked Joe In the eye and saw there
sly shrewdness that convinced me
of his guilt. | searched him and his
room, but found nothing.
Then my father came to me and In.
sisted that Miss Trimball's effects be
dbs, lnff hn hnf 4
protested, but without avail The bill
was not found. but more money was in
her possession than II was believed
she had. for she was very poor. and
her salary had been very small. at
any rate. Mrs. Mendicott convinced my
father that Adele was the thief. and
was informed that II married her 1
would be disinherited.
What would It avail to tell my "a
Their that Adele had seen the bill In her
room and told me of it2 Such state
ment would not be believed and would
only widen the breach. Either Mrs.
Mendicott had taken he bill herself or
some one had gone into the room In
Adele's absence and taken It. In
clined toward the latter opinion.
lay awake the night of Adele's depar-
ture thinking out some plan of investi-
cation. but could hit on nothing I be-
lieved that Joe had appropriated the
bill. but since be and his effects had
been searched there seemed to be moth
ing more to do.
One Sunday evening Joe came home
smoking a cigarette. He had a cob
pipe In the stable which he smoked
when Off duty, and had sometimes
before a cigarette.
'Joe," 1 said. have you another Gig.
aretteY
He pulled out package and handed
1t to me. took one, looking into Joe's
face as 1 did 30. and noticed that ne
appeared anxious Lighting the ciga-
rette, | pulled awhile, then said:
'rhese are fine. Joe. Where did you
get themY'
He told me, and in ten minutes |
was in the shop In conference with
the tobacconist TO lind ont II Joe had
offered a large bill for his purchase.
was disappointed. The boy had paid
in small change.
Later went out 10 tu6 SIhDie. WueCe
| found Joe enjoying his pipe.
"Have you another cigarette. JoeT
asked.
mo. sir; smoked 'em all up"
what! Smoked ten cigarettes In an
hourr'
well. you see. give some of 'em
away"
Whom did you give them tor
II gave 'em to- He could get no
further. he was cornered.
"What makes that lump In your vest
pocketT
He looked down at the pocket, while
/. putting my thumb and finger into It.
drew out case half full of cigarettes.
felt sure was on the scent and
did not waste any time. Taking a Gig.
arctic from the case. pulled it to
pieces. There was nothing In It but
tobacco. 1 tried another With the
same result. broke up four without
finding anything, but when tried the
fifth | could not break It. Tearing the
wrapper. I uncovered green paper and
In another moment had unrolled
twenty dollar bill.