The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-29

wilson's made the mistake
arrogantly. II have dealt with Whit
sons for thirty years and never knew
them 70 make an error Of any kind"
Il am sorry you acted 20 hastily. I
should tell you. mother" he said firmly.
shat love Alice Wilson and It has
been my intention to ask her to be my
wife. shall do 30 now. anyway.
Mrs. lnIlard screamed and srew hys-
terical. Roger. who had been accustom-
ed from childhood to his selfish moth
er's outbursts Of ungovernable temper.
bathed her forehead with cologne, adj
ministered spirits Of ammonia and left
her In charge Of Marie.
As he left the room Roger glanced
back. Something In the French girls
obliQue glance at him had set him
thinking. -1e had never liked Marie
she was impertinent, but Mro. 1illArd
declared she was a perfect treasure OF .
maid.
The housekeeper, Mrs. Pearson. was
busy over her accounts in her snug sit
ting room in the basement. She 6ade
Roger welcome and would have brought
him some refreshment. but he waved 1t
aside.
Il merely want to ask you a few
questions, Mrs. Pearson. Yesterday was
Thursday. Please tell me what servants
Mrs. Pearson looked at q schedule
hanging on the wall.
Hannah and Sophia. the kitchen
maids; Burke. the footman, and Marie.
your mothers maid"
out?"
II cannot say for sure, SIR She asked
me for some blue sewing silk; said she
was going to stay in her room and sew;
out had occasion to speak to her later.
ana she wasn't there nor anywhere In
the house that could discover
Do you know whether Miss Wilson
went out yesterday at all?"'
think nOt-unless it was to take
her before breakfast walk In the park.
She spen. all day except the luncheon
hour here in this room with me. It was
the first OF the month, you know, and
she has TO audit my accounts and make
out the checks for the household bills
and pay on the servants. AS far az I
can see, she did not have time to 20
out at ALL
THANK you, Mrs. Pearson said
Roger heartily. II am investigating q
little matter reimbursement.
think we may call it."
Five minutes afterward he was on his
way to Wilson's splendid 3ewelry
store.
A little conversation with whitson's
chief clerk. who had delivered the opal
pin to Mrs. Millard's messenger, di-
vulged the cact that Miss WILSON, had
worn the identical blue velvet costume,
with mink furs, which the clerk had
noted on the first occasion. But this
| time she had been heavily yelled. and
ne could not have sworn to her features
save That they were regular and pretty.
Il WIZ communicate with you again.
| said Roger as he fastened away.
Later he went to Mrs. Pearson's sit
| ting room and sent for Marie. The girl
came. a frightened look in her blue
eyes.
you weesh me, m sieur?'' she asked
breathlessly.
Yes, Marie.'' said Roger sternly.
! Before you leave the house 1 will
thank you for my mothers opal pin.'
| Your mothair's opal peen?" Marie
essayed a laugh and shrugged her thin
shoulders. Perhaps Mees Wilson could
tell''
| Marie. I know declared Roger
sternly. He was a lawyer and he rec
ognfxed the signs Of guilt.
| "Oh-lay-la." Marie laughed, saw the
1 futility OF further denial, shrugged her
shoulders and flung the pin at his feet.
| Your mothair, she careless drop
this what you call check on the floor.
and 1t ees temptation, m'sieur. So /
go to Noes Wilson room and put on
her velvet dress and thick veil; she
SO busy always on de first Of months
in housekeeper room-so go to Whit
son and they ask nothing when give
check-just sign receipt-and so put
"A. Wilson, her name, you know; that
ees all. truly. m'sieur; you will let me
go?' she begged.
| IF you will go and tell your story to
my mother I will see that you are not
prosecuted" he said sternly.
| So Marie accompanied him to Mrs.
Mfllards boudoir and confessed her
wrongdoing.
| When she was alone with her son.
Mrs. Willard lifted beseechinE eyes to
Rogers. What can do to atone to
Miss Wilson for this accusation p" she
| asked contritely.
Whatever your [ heart suggests,
mother" he said gently. II am going
to find her now--I suppose she has re-
turned to her sisters home-and may
as well tell you that I'm going to ask
her to marry me-
| Very well. Roger" said Mrs. Mil
lard meekly: land If you don't mind I
believe I'll go along too and ask her to
forgive me-perhaps she WILL"
| Il am sure she will.' said Roger ham
PLY as he went to fetch his mother's
bonnet and cloak-(Copyright 1914 by
the Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.)