Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-09-27
The Argus Daily Story
Guiltless Conscience-By G. B. Tarleton.
COPYRIGHTED 1912. by Associated Literary

There he comes now. | exclaimed.
He doubtless changed his mind about
letting me 20. followed me and having
marked the house | entered. went to
police headquarters and reported me
as a suspicious character. And now
be is bringing an inspector here to ex-
anime me, If not TO arrest me. ! shall
be found with the goods on me-"
1t was now Marthas turn to show
her strength of character. but to my
surprise the suddenness with which she
was called upon TO do so threw her of
her balance. she seemed quite unable
to tell me what to do.
at won't do for me to be found with
the property on me- I said quickly.
Cant you hide 1t for mer'
Suppose they search the houseT
at won't matter to you. They viii
hold me to be the thief, since l was
seen in the neighborhood of the rob
berry Immediately after it occurred"
But shall he considered as harbor-
ing a criminal. and that would mean
that l was in league With you"
It's mighty easy TO be a hero Ga pa
per. but when ii comes TO putting 1t in
practice it's a different matter. Mar
tha's strength of character didn't pan
out at being brought face to face with
the real thing.
You're not inclined to be very self
sacrificing. I'm disappointed" said
Disappointed. It's l who should be
disappointed If you had had the man.
iness to hand out the property in the
first place you wouldn't have got into
such FIX
I'D have had to spend some time in
jail and prove that wasn't a robber."
By this time the officers were within
a few yards OF the house. Martha and
stood waiting for the blow to fall and
In another moment heard the doOrbell
ring.
Its all up with me-" l said.
Martha also had become demoralized
She placed me in a closet the door of
which was closed with a portiere, then
went to answer the summons. I heard
mans voice ask If I were in the
house. calling me by name. Martha,
whose high principled nature 1 had al
/ ways admired and stood in awe of. de-
! MED that | was in the house, thereby
/ uttering deliberate falsehood.
"
''he told this patrolman where he lived.
but he was seen to come here" My
/ legs trembled and my teeth chartered.
I'VE must find him. He was seen
I walking today near where a robbery
was committed. and IA lady looking out
through a window saw him pick up a
watch aud chain. The robber has been
arrested. and the gentleman that was
robbed would like to get his property.
| He's willing TO pay a liberal reward"
There was silence for a few mo-
ments which was broken by Martha.
who said that she would send me word
Immediately and If had the yaluables
she did not doubt that l would return
them at once. With that the police
man withdrew. and | heard the door
closed As Martha returned to the
room | stepped out of the closet We
I looked at each other. both drawing
sigh of relief.
Martha" | said ~ thank you very
much for the lie"
Il don't think" she retorted. that
you have shown either good sense or
moral courage
Rather | have shown that l labor
under an excess of conscience"
And. 4 labor under an abnormal
sympathy"
We've made a mountain out of a
molehil. haven't wee"
You have"
| saw that she was relieved at the
outcome, aud | knew that / was.
kissed her. and it was all over.
As soon as | felt assured that
could leave the house without the off.
GERS seeing me stepped boldly out and
went to the nearest police office, where
delivered the stolen goods The man
at the desk didn't ask why | hadn't re-
turned them before. He doubtless sup
posed had intended to keep them. hut
since had been seen to pick them up
that was impossible. was making a
virtue of reciprocity.
II will see that you get the reward"
he said. The owner OF the watch viii
send it TO you or leave 1t here. The
watch is not only valuable chronome-
ter, but belonged to the mother of the
gentleman who was robbed He has
offered $50 for its return"
4 don't wish any reward, ] said
with offended dignity. I'm a gentle
man and consider myself as such oblig,
ed to return anything find provided
know the owner"
He looked up at me with surprise in
fact. with incredulity.
What's the game?" he asked.
mo game at all. Why do you think
I'm playing gamer"
why didn't you return the watch
without trying to get away with ItT'
| made no reply. but. turning. left
the station.
Not having come out Of the affair
with any great eclat. illustrated an
qdage. Misery loves company" by re-
joicing that Martha also had not
shown that rigid regard for principle
for which she was noted We we're
married soon after. and ours is the
only case / have ever known Of lovers
who were married neither being heroic
to the other.
l