The Southern herald., 1912-10-18

OH Nne HALi, ana no uQOfs 70 any OF
them. The girl looked into three Of
them, and then shivered. The man
must be hiding in the fourth. She
hesitated for only 9 second and thea
advanced. There was no challenge.
Sitting on the floor in E corner was
the fugitive. His knees were drawn
up,and his elbows rested on them,
and his face was hidden in his hands
He knew that the girl had come up
and was looking at him, but he kept
his position until she rather impa-
tiently demanded:
We'll. you have a name and 3
tongue?"
IF they have come to arrest me-"
he replied looking up.
Mister man, get to your feet!
That's better. Now get a grip on your
self. Why are you covering here?"
Il have been made a victim OF .
base plot" he answered. II have bees
hiding here for two days"
Il have read of base plots in novels,
but never encountered one. They
didn't seem to pick out hero to base
plot against in this easel"
The young man was impressed by
her sarcasm. He blushed and straight
ened up, and after swallowing hard he
replied: Il do not claim to be hero.
but am not liar. For three years
have been employed in the First
National bank at Averne."
Yes. And money has been taken"
"A package Of $1,000 was missing.
had no more to do with the taking Of
1t than you did"
But you skipped out and left the
world to believe you a thief"
Yes, fool that am, 1t came upon
me so suddenly that l was all confu'
sion. The cashier came to me and
charged me with the theft and put
500 In my hands and advised me to
flee at once to escape arrest. He said
prison awaited me II / stayed. only
waited to put on my hat and coat"
"Chump!" scorned Polly.
But If | had stayAd7'
That package would have bees
found somewhere as having been
'mislaid.' Was there any particular
reason for the cashier wanting to
drive you out?"
Il can't think of any"
Were you both counting the same
young lady?"
"Why-why--"
"Oh. you innocent lamb" laughed
the girl. ITS no wonder the gold
brick men can afford their steam
yachts. How that cashier must
chuckle"
DO you think-think-..
mo, don't think. know. Your
1 name is what?"
Porter Phelps"
And l am Polly Andrews, daugh.
ter of the sheriff of this county. Come
out under the plum trees"
When they were out doors and seat.
ed she continued: "Mr. Porter Phelps
you appear to lack sand and to be
easily ratified and to need a guardian.
You have told me a straight story
have your
Il have"
mo evasions?"
None whatever"
Then you are coming with me
and tell dad all about 1t, Dads fine
as silk on trail, and they say |
know thing or two. / guess we can
straighten this matter out all right.
But your father" protested the
fugitive
He'll have few words to say
along the line have, and then turn to
and help you out"
Polly was a prophet. To layman,
the young mans story would have
been pronounced too fishy for belief,
but Sheriff Andrews had seen just as
queer cases in his time. He listened
quietly, thought for awhile, and then
said:
IF you and the cashier we're both
after the same girl he would have a
motive in wanting to drive you away
in disgrace. I'll go over to Averne
and see what l can pick up"
Two days later he returned to say:
mo one but the cashier had heard
that any money was missing, and it
did not take me long to convince him
that even he had not heard Of it.
You can go back and take your place
again"
A year later, just after Mr.. Phelps
had left the sheriff's house one eve
ming, the father remarked to the
daughter:
Il thought he was in love with ,
girl In Averne."
so did he for awhile"
did she jilt him?"
mo. l arrested hint"
Copyright, 1872 by Associated Literary
Prese)
Boatman's Valuable Find.
! A magnificent moonstone, through
the center of which extends perfect
sea moss leaf beautifully colored was
found on the beach by J. P. Taylor, !
local boatman, after the high tides hao
.uoodad TIa vanturod a,tt nIroo,t 4 = i.