The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1913-11-10


the FORMER received from the latter. the
amount he had expended for her ticket.
Within week Afr. Merlweather
wrote Miss DeaDe that be had seen the
man who sat beside her in the sta
ton. had shadowed him and learned
where he lived. Should he hnye the
fellow arrested! Miss Deane replied
that If Mr. Meriweather could induce
the thief to return a sanIple OF ribbon
there was in the pocketbook be was
welcome TO the rest OF the contents
The next day Mr.. Aieriweather rang
the doorbell Of Miss Deane's home
aud sent up his card She came down
to receive him becomingIy dressed, and
as she entered the room he held out
theg missing sample. She received itl
with some surprise.
$50 the man who stole my portemon.
naie." she said, was lie who sat be-
side me in the station?"
"He was"
And he was quite willing. suppose.
TO give up the sample on condition that
he might keep the other things"
Yea
THAT was very nice Of him."
WAS there anything else in the
portemcnnaie that you especially de
sire?"
no; there were only the money, a
few addresses and the samples. The
addresses know. and the other SAM
pies don't care for"
The fellow seems quite willing to
return everything except the money.
he seems to have admired ypu.r
"Andsyet he stole my Aottemonnaief'
lyon are wrong iii permitting him to
90 free; you are encouraging vice. z
do you really think SoT'sH
lido; indeed. T consider it my duty.
being cognizant OF his@crtminA aet TO
inform the police OF it..
"Aud would he have to go 10 jail2"
She raised her eyes to Meriweathet's
pityingly. He would have liked to
take her in his arms and confess that
he was chaffing her. but that time had
not. yet come.
Yes. he would have to go to jail.
and that would surely make a criminal
Of him for life"
Don't do it"
How would 1t do for him to come to
| you, confess shis crime. restore the
other articles and throw himself on
your mercyf You could tell him how
wicked be had been and picture to him
Ibis end IL he continued in crime. Then
Won could forgive him. and he might
hereafter live blameiess life"
~ think that would do very, nicely.
It would be infinitely preferable to
sending him to jail
Mr.. MeFiweather left after two
hours visit, promising to propose tile.
plan he had suggested to the thief and
ask IL he would consent to make resti.
tuition and ask forgiveness. Miss
Deane would be advised Of the result.
A few days later Mr.. Aieriweather
called and handed Miss Deane the
money that had been lost with her
portemonnnie. saying TINT the heart OF
] the thief was slowly softening and he
thought that If he could be taken I'm.
der her influence he might yet MAKE q
man Of himself. There was another
two hours chat. after which Mr. Melit
weather departed. iRtirnating that he
expected the next time lie came TO
bring the penitent with him.
Nevertheless 1t required several
more calls. each lasting from two to
three hours. before the gentleman as.
sured the lady that the criminal was
ready to confess his fault and ask for
gtveness.
Meanwhile, as may be supposed. 9TH
er matters than this proposed reforlna
ton engaged Sir. Meriwcather and
Miss Deane III fact. one evening aft.
er visit that was prolonged till mid,
night Miss Dcane consented that Mr.
Sieriweather should so to her father to
ask for her hand. The sutton. being
IN estlmable gentleman and good
catch. received the required consent
and the couple became duly engaged.
A short time after he.betrotlial Mr..
MerlweatheF announced to his fiuncee
that the next evening the penltent thief
| would call upon her TO restore the re-
malnder OF the Stolen property. listen
to a lecture on his dishonesty and re.
ceite her forgiveness. When The up,
pointed time came round there was a
ring at the doorbeil. and mah iRsan
ulster, wearing a heavy beard and;
glasses, was admitted to the Deane res
idence. Miss Deane came down. and
the stranger In a broken voice said:
Pardon me fora miserable sinner"
He bowed his head and waited.
Il have been told that this is your
Grst criminal act" said the girl. 'und
II sincerely hope that 1t viii 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 off his Mister. fore