Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-12-09

mo; there were only the money, q
few addresses and the samples. The
addresses l know, and the other SAM
pies I don't care for"
'sThe fellow seems quite willing to
return everything except the money.
he seems to have admired you"
"And yet he stole my portemonnaie|
"You are wrong in permitting him to
90 free; you are encouraging vice."
"Do you really think so?"
"I do, indeed. I consider 1t my duty,
being cognizant Of his criminal act, to
inform the police Of It"
"And would he have to 90 to jail?"
She raised her eyes to Meriweather's
pityingly. He would have liked to
take her in his arms and confess that
he was chatting her. but that time had
not yet come.
"Yes; he would have to go to jail,
and that would surely make criminal
Of him for life."
Don't do It"
"How would 1t do for him to come to
you, confess his crime. restore the
other articles and throw himself on
your mercy? You could tell him how
| wicked he had been and picture to him
bis end If be continued in crime. Then
you could forgive him, and he might
hereafter live a blameless ife.'
IT think that would do very nicely.
It would be infinitely preferable to
sending him to jail"
Mr.. Mertweather left after a two
hours visit promising to propose the
plan he had suggested to the thief and
ask If he would consent to make rest-
tuition and ask forgiveness. Miss
Deane would be advised OF the result.
A few days later Mr.. Meriweather
called and handed Miss Deane the
money that had been lost with her
portemonnaie, saying that the heart OF
the thief was slowly softening and he
thought that If he could be taken un-
der her influence he might yet make
man of himself. There was another
two hours chat, after which Mr.. Meri-
weather departed, intimating that he
expected the next time he came to
bring the penitent with him.
Nevertheless 1t required several
more calls. each lasting from two to
three hours. before the gentleman u.s.
sured the lady that the criminal was
ready to confess his fault and ask for
giveness.
Meanwhile, as may be supposed, 9TH
er matters than this proposed reforma-
ton engaged Mr.. Meriweather and
Miss Deane. In fact one evening aft
er visit that was prolonged till mid
night Miss Deane consented that MIR.
Meriweather should 60 to her father to
ask for her hand. The suitor. being
an estimable gentleman and a good
catch, received the required consent.
and the couple became duly engaged.
A short time after the betrothal Mr
Meriweather announced to his iancee
that the next evening the penitent thief
would call upon her to restore the re-
mainder of the stolen property. listen
to a lecture on his dishonesty and re-
ceive her forgiveness. When the ap-
pointed time came round there was
ring at the doorbell, and man In an
ulster, wearing a heavy beard and
glasses, was admitted to the Deane res
idence. Miss Deane came down. and
the stranger in broken voice said:
Pardon me for q miserable sinner"
He bowed his head and waited.
IT have been told that this Is your
first criminal act" said the girl. land
I sincerely hope that It will prove
your last You may have a sweet
heart, and think how glad you Will
make her by your reformation. You
are forgiven"
The man threw of his ulster. tore
away his beard and his glasses. and
her lover stood before her.
"The confession" he said, comes
after your forgiveness. You left your
portemonnaie on the seat in the station
and picked 1t up. did so for an ex-
cuse to make your acquaintance and
prolonged the deception to win you.
Miss Deane stood thunderstruck for
q few moments. then turned and was
striding Indignantly out Of the room
when the penitent caught her around
the waist and held her despite her
struggles to be free till she recovered
something of her calmness.
"You have forgiven mel! cried her
lover. "You can't go back on It."
But she did 60 back on 1t, and 1t was
two long days before she repeated the
forgiveness spoken to the supposed
thief. She does not even now. ten
years after the episode. refer to 1t
pleasantly.