Norwich bulletin., 1914-01-17
WITCH HAZEL.


 scured by clouds. and so there came to these fond lovers time when all seemed dark to them. Sums of money began to disappear from the possession of the mercantile firm who employed Philip Princely. Small amounts at first, but increasing in value as the thief grew bolder, assured that ms peculations were not discovered Strange to say, the accounts were kept correctly balanced, but the cash cer- tainly disappeared in some mysterious manner. Suspicion finally rested upon Philip Princely. Who else could it be? Such were the murmurs that ran about the town. and people began to whisper among themselves and look at him with unkind glances whenever he ap- preached them. Even the firm, great ly as they had always trusted him, came to the same conclusion All turned against him except Hazel. She stood by him when all others fell away. She announced boldly her con- viction that he was innocent of the charges made against him. She was opposed by her own kith and kin. who admitted that, much they had ad- mired him, they felt that he had fallen under temptation like so many others in similar positions.
 Philip felt all this keenly, and of fered to release Hazel from the prom ises she had made him. but she main tained that she was no mere fair weather friend. She had promised to be his alone, and through good report and evil report. she would stand by him. More than that, she meant to clear his good name and prove his in nocence before the world. Only give her time and she will find the real thief
 When she thus expressed herself to the merchant in question, he ex- pressed a sincere wish that she might succeed. He had known Hazel from l childhood. and 1t troubled him to see her in such sorrow, but even his kind ness could not conceal from her that he had lost faith in Philip. T trusted him too much" said he. land blame myself for placing temptation in his way But I fear even my dear little Hazel will have to admit l am on the l right track. Who else could have done ] it? You will be more of witch than think you are if you ferret out the matter to fix the blame on anyone l else"
 Witch Hazel felt that her reputation | as well as her lovers. was at stake, | ly she felt she knew the culprit, but 1 to prove it-there was the difficulty. | Employed by the same firm was | Charles Hinman, who she knew had | access to, the cash trays of the es- | tablishment. She knew what others | did not, that he was a rival for her | favor, and was greatly chagrined that ! she accepted Philip instead of himself l as her choice. If Philip were busted | by the firm. his own chances would | be bettered in both business and love 1 affairs. How could she prove him 1 guilty?
 Little by little Hazel wove the net of evidence against him. Step by steI l she advanced slowly but surely to- | wards the goal at which she aimed. As slowly, but as surely, she won public opinion to her side, and people begar to think Princely might not be so blacl as he was painted, after all Hinman meantime. gaining hope of succeedins in his plans, overreached himself r was found out where he had made in
 vestments beyond the limits of hi
 salary, and indulged in eXpediture
 outside his reach in any honest way At last he was brought to bay, and
 finding discovery certain, he confesse'
 his wrong-doing and cleared Philip O , all guilt in the matter.
 Many were the congratulations show cred upon Philip and his sweetheart Hazel.
 You certainly were a witch to brinl about this result" said the merchant
 and I hope a wedding will soon b | announced, at which l can rejoice a
 much as I do at this triumph of your and Philips"
 The wedding soon followed. an,
 among the gifts was a silver servic
 decorated with hazel catlxins and at
 tached to it was a card from Princely' , employers. which read ''To our Dea. Witch Hazel"
 AN IDLER