Montgomery County sentinel., 1915-06-11
ROCKVILLE MARYLAND. FRIDAY MORNING, JUNE II, 1915

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Before going to bed that night, at
tempting to open the suit case, she
found that her key would not serve tC
unlock 1t. Then she examined the
case and found that It was not hers
She remembered the man who had be
friended her and supposed that by mis-
take he had picked up her suit case
for his own. Doubtless she would hear
from him very soon.
Having Toms address ut Elmendorfs
store. she went there and inquired fol
him without making known who she
was. Elmendorf told her where she
could find Tom.
"By the bye" he said before she left
Nicholson owes me some money. I've
tried lot OF men to collect the debt
and they have all failed. have never
thought to try a woman. If you will
go to him and tell him a pitiful story
about a sick mother and starving chill
dren l think you can get something
out Of him. I'll give you half of all
you get"
Ellen assented to this proposition
and set Off to find Tom. He was not
at home. and though she waited some
time he did not return. Ellen went to
her boarding house for dinner, intend
ing to return In the afternoon. The
man had not been there with her suit
case, and 1t was suggested to her thai
he might have exchanged cases with
her in order to appropriate her belong
ings in place Of his own. Ellen broke
open the suit case, and an astonishing
sight greeted her.
The receptacle was full of packagei
Of bank bills.
Though Ellen was an unsophisticated
who had shown so kindly an interest in
her could not have been what he pre-
tended, After much thought she de
cided on the most sensible thing she
could have done. She inquired where
she would find police station, then
closing the suit case, took 1t there and
handed It to man In uniform sitting
at a desk, telling him how It had come
into her possession.
He opened It and at the same time
opened his eyes. It wns not long be
fore he surmised that the money be
longed to a bank that had been recent
ly robbed and for which large re
ward had been offered After consld
erable telephoning n gentleman came
into the station, counted the bills and
found that they were the lost property
in question. He took the suit case and
much excitement on account Of the
find, and Ellen was shown into the
presidents private office, where she
told her story to an interested audi
ence.
When she had finished the president
called clerk, who retired and soon
came back with a pass book bearing
the name OF Ellen Tucker. The presl
dent showed her a credit in It of $40,
600, which he said was the reward Of |
fered for the return OF the money and
which she was at liberty to draw |
whenever she wanted It. Ellen al
once made check for Tom Nichol |
sons debt to his former partner and
one for needed expenses.
All this happened without Ellen hav |
ing seen Tom. She went to his lodg |
ings again. but again failed to find him |
at home She waited, and in due time
he came In.
"Tom," she said. "why did you stop
writing me?'
"Pm afraid, Ellen" he replied, that
we must give each other up. I'm no
good"
You're too good" she replied. "While
other people are looking out for them.
selves You are looking out for other
people"
Then she told him what had hap.
pened
The next day Mr.. Elmendorf was sit
ting in his Office when who should
come IN but the girl who had been
commissioned to collect Toms debt
and Tom himself
''ThIs IL my husband" said Ellen
1--WE were married this morning, and
here Is check for the amount OF his
lndeDteuneSS 10 you.
When Elmendorf had heard the sto.
ry he told Tom that II his wife would
put the money Into the firm he would
resume the partnership. But Tom said
that he had had enough Of city life and
was going bnck with his bride to the
country and they would put her money
into farm.
"Youll doubtless get on all right,
Mrs. Nicholson" said Elmendorf, III
you take care OF the funds and keep
beggars away from your husband"
The mystery Of the suit case was
thus solved by the police. The thief
was suspected and force was wait
ing Mt the station TO take him. This
he knew, and. seeing the similarity be-
tween his and Ellen's suit case, he re.
solved TO exchange them. hoping 10 re
cover the money later. But he was ar
rested, and before he was released she
Ind returned the property.
Tom and Ellen returned 10 the coun.
try. Their first act after arriving was
30 drive the cows 10 pasture, and they
stopped where they Ind taken their
FIST kiss to give thanks for the good
fortune that had befallen them.
They now have nm attractive farm
and nre prosperous. But Mrs. Nichol.
son sees TO II that her husband Is not
beset by those who can wheedle him
out OF his money by pitiful tales.