The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-03-25
THE STOLEN LETTERS---By Priscilla Cendennmg

pretext to be free ever since my
bankruptcy and sudden
death.
you always were a quixotic fool.
said Frank bitterly, and grunted
"Good-by" at the door.
A month afterward l read OF her
engagement to young Horton. one
OF the pickle people. fabulously
wealthy.
will the gentleman who has for
gotten what he saw in a corridor
carriage on the Plymouth express
kindly communicate with Box 941?'
"A mystery behind that" laughed
a seedy-looking fellow in the public
library at my elbow. where we were
both searching the Wanted" col
umns of the advertisements.
could, think. have cleared 1t up.
IL two days l had an appointment
az Wiley, Eversley & Sons, solicit
tors. of Eastcheap. There l met
Lady Ruscombe, haggard eyed, very
pale, very nervous.
Il was alone-a foolish. lonely
voman," she confessed. George
Captain Yately-was in trouble.
wrote four foolish, unwise letters to
him in Iriia. Bitterly / repented.
Somehow they were stolen. l was
offered them by firm having Of
fees in Lincoln's Inn Terrace, al a
very high figure. My little friend.
my very faithful friend for the three
long. terrible. sorrowful years that
l spent at Ruscombe Hall, went with
me to see these people. We saw
my husband come out. He carried
a bag-part of my wedding present
to him, Mr.. Littleton. OF it had 4
duplicate key. We guessed what was
inside. While | went back to my
hotel for the key, Ida-Miss Lang
ley, the friend | speak of-inter-
viewed the villains in their office.
They had sold the letters TO Rus
combe. Ida went to his. club. lie
was not there. On chance she went
4 Paddington. There she saw him.
She occupied carriage next to his.
When he went TO the dining-car she
slipped in. Before she could make
her escape he came back. But he
did not suspect her. He did not
think of the key. 4 word from
you'- She bit her lips; then went
on hurriediy: Il don't ask lou to con-
done what | did. | deserve censure.
| deserve unhappiness. But if for
got my duty as wife-and. OH.
God, how he has forgotten his duty
as husband.-I don't forget my
duty as a mother. Ny little boys
all in all to me. Mr.. Littleton. il
lost him, I-I"-
She broke down and wept mos,
miserably.
I'm glad Miss Langley's strength
of character made me behave de-
Gently" ! said stifly. Il deserve no
thanks. II think l deserve kick
ing"
''Ida's below-waiting in the car.
rage she said. Kicking, Mr.. Lit
Teton. She wants to see YOU to
thank you. She's come to live with
up with two women-one old and
foolish, Mr.. Littleton-we were
wondering if have a little estate:
my agent is old; will shortly retire
if YOU would learn with him and
step into his shoes"
Lady Ruscombe, YOU know moth
ing OF me-" l protested, thrilling.
Don't II" she said. holding out
her hand. 81 know enough-that
you're merciful. pitiful. generous.
honorable. Ida told me that And
that YOU forgot something which
Miss Langley has forgotten, too"
/ said. TIM
Let us go down TO her." she
broke in gently.
But she stopped a moment to
speak TO one of the partners in the
lower office. and so l went out alone
to the carriage
Can YOU forgive me-" l said.
standing bareheaded at the carriage
door.
i've forgotten" she answered.
and held out her dear hand. "Ara
You to have the monopoly of for.
getfulneSs? l remember ONLY what
l You did"