The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-06
The Evening Story

(By Louis Oliver Burns.

The Thief.
(By Louis Oliver Burns.)
Gilbert Weston entered tho dimly
lighted library and flung his hat and
coat onto a chair.
He knew without glancing at the
stately chime clock that 1t was al
most 2, but he had something to
think about before he went to bed.
There was no use going to bed when
he could not sleep. He lighted q
cigarette and settled back into q deep
leather chair. trying to get some or
der out Of the chaos in his brain.
First was the thing that had been
hamnfering through his head all day!
Who was the thief? Who could have
stolen Mrs. Merrivan's 10000 rope of
pearls? Who was responsible for the
disappearance Of Lily Graham's ruby
and diamond bracelet, Mr.. Clark's
wallet. a pendant. three rings and
dozen other things? A thief was mas
queradins in society. that was certain.
but who was the thief. and was It q
man or woman?
People were in a panic and begin
ming to suspect their best friends.
And it was this thing that had
caused Gilbert a wretchedly uncom-
self was under suspicion!
Robert Lafayette, an old friend.
| had dropped in that morning before
he. Gilbert, was up. While Gilbert
dressed. Robert had gossiped about
the latest robbery, a pendant Of black
pearls that had been stolen at a din
ner the night before
Then-0ilbert shivered as he
thought of it-Jenkins. his man, had
gone to a drawer for a cravat. He
lifted out half q dozen for Gilbert to
choose. when something dropped to
the floor. Robert picked it up and
laid 1t quietly on a table 'Doing
some detective work on tho quiet, are
you. old fellow?" he had remarked
lightly. and Gilbert had felt that the
words were chosen to let him down
easy.
Where on earth did that darn
thing come from. Jenkins?" Gilbert
mad INQUIRED. But Jenkins didn't
whole thing.
It had ended in Gilbert sending the
pendant-for such it was-by messen-
ger to the lady who had lost it. and
Robert confiding the detective story
to one or two close friends.
But all day Gilbert had not failed
to notice the lifted eyebrows, the fall
ures to shake hands, hurry up en-
gagements when he came around, and
the general air of distrust that had
followed him.
| But the worst Of 1t was Nellie.
Nellie was in the house. She was his
sisters guest and he loved her. He
had thought for the past few days
that she might caro- for him. She
| had been very Kind. But he had not
said anything. al yet. about his love.
NOW he couldn't! He groaned. Even
cumstances proved him guilty, he
could never ask her to share a shad-
owed name. 1t was dreadful!
The hand on the clock moved
nearer solution Of the mystery.
Finally he switched off the light and
made his way up the broad stairway
to the second floor. His feet made no
sound on the thick rugs as he went
along the corridor to his rooms. At
the door he reached for the electric
button Of his sittingroom light. But
before he found 1t. figure moved
near him. The moonlight outside
made the silhouette very plain.
Gilbert's arm fell and he stood mo-
tfonless. 1t was Nellie de Kyne. Evil
IDENTIFY she had not heard him. She
seemed to be trying to decide some
thing. Once she crossed the floor
ly and found it locked. She stopped
an instant, listening at the closed door
Of his bedroom, then returned to the
desk. In q few minutes she passed
him, her dress touching his arm. Then
4 she went rapidly down the hall toward
her 0wn, apartments.
| Gilbert quickly closed the door.
locked it and flashed on the light. He
had only one idea now. That was to
lsave the girl he loved. Nellie q thief!
What could he do? Soon some one
would find out all about It, and then
what would they do with her?
1t was daylight before he went to
1>A z 1@ i>kA
of action. the only way he could see
tout Of the difficulty.
4 At 10 o'clock, jenkins came to shave
him. and a little later Robert La
ed and had had his coffee. when he
ipulled out his handkerchief. Some
thing dropped to the floor. He stopped
and picked 1t up in confusion. Rather
lpretty ring. Bobby. isn't 1t. I'm going
to give this to you to turn in for me
have been suspecting for some time
Bobby, I am IT. Don't ask me why j
did it? Just give me two hours start
J before you squeal. will you? I'll prom
Robert Lafayette seemed startled.
land darted q wondering glance At the
impassive Jenkins. There was some
thing here. he did not understand. He
perceptible emile. After all he could
not have planned things better him
lself.
A few minutes later Gilbert. with
coat, hat and handbag already packed.
4 said good-by to his mother and sister.
saying he would be gone for q few
days on q business trip. He found Nellie
in the music: room. alone. He wondered
what she would think In q few hours
when she knew what he had done. She
would surely know that he did It to
, save her.
!. "where are you going. Gilbert?' she
asked abruptly.
Away"
~Where?"
IT don't know exactly"