The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-10-25
IN THE DARK
ANONYMOUS.

IL Was q DldziuB udy-glOflOub SUN
mer, but it seemed to be robbing Ethel
Of everything-of hope, of energy and
OF. the life OF her child-just as last
summer had robbed her of Jack.
Nothing had been heard Of him. No
news had come to her, and bad luck
had dogged her all the time. She had
had to move lodgings again and again,
every time little poorer, every time
taking rooms little cheaper; and the
only work she seemed to have even
chance of getting was in the Office of
a private detective agency.
She had applied there on an impulse
and had been told that work was some
times given to outsiders, and that If
she cared to call every morning at
nine o'clock there might some day be
q chance for her.
So she had called-day after day,
week after week, and no chance had
ever come; and day after day her
money dwindled. and she went from
bad to worse until now Dickie was Ill
and she had reached her last penny.
she would try once again before she
gave up. She hurried through the
streets to the Office that had become
so familiar to her now. She pushed
open the swing doors.
rs there anything for me this morn
ing?" she asked
On the answer depended the life Of
her little child.
A clerk, busy over some letters,
looked up and began to shake his
head. At that moment someone came
out from an inner Office He was
talking to another man
"a woman?" he said. Its a woman
we want for this job Who's that yon-
der?"
She's Mrs. Mayce," the other an
swered. but she's never had any
work from us YETI
Send her in to me. I'll see what
she is made Of" He stepped back,
and Ethel turned with beating heart.
Work at last!
The man who had spoken, whom
she knew as the manager, looked at
her sharply.
You're Mrs. Mayce?" he said.
well, sit down. We've a little thing
here that you may able to undertake
for US. Anyhow, you can try. Here
are the facts A client of ours, Geof-
frey Horner. a MERCHANT in the city,
has lost diamond ring valued at
$125. He left it lying on his desk,
and while it was there 1t was stolen.
The only person who had access to
his room was a young man, son of
friend of his, whose name he will not
give and whom he refuses to believe
guilty. The young man leaves the
house nightly at about six o'clock.
We want you to get his name and
address and any information you can.
about him. Here is his description,
furnished by our detective. You will
have to follow him, of course. You
can get your days expenses from the
cashier; here's memo for So, for
which you will account to us later
and, of course. any reliable informa-
tion you bring wen pay for"
She went out treading on air. Five
dollars in her pocket meant food and
medicine for her little Dickie.
At five o'clock she put on a black
skirt and blouse, which had been too
shabby to pawn. and over an old black
hat she put thick veil.
Ten minutes later she was on her
way to Godfrey Horners house.
Just as she rounded the corner.
the door of the house opened and
someone came down the steps She
followed him breathlessly, waiting
an instant as he stood at the bot.
tom of the steps to take out his latch
key and then followed boldly.
In moment she was standing level
with him upon the top step. and eag-
erly she looked at his face.
It was thin and white; it looked
drawn and sad-it-good heavens, He
turned. and the key dropped from his.
fingers and rang sharply springing
from step to step to the pavement be-
meath them. Il
He uttered one word brokenly:
Ethel r
She put out her hand wildly and
then reeled into his arms.
1t was Jack-Jack returned from the
sea-alive-and theft
In his room they faced each other.
Jack, they say you are thief. I've
been set to watch you. followed you
tonight and that is why | am here
to watch you"
He looked startled for an instant.
Then he gave laugh.
Darling, the thief confessed and re-
turned it tonight just before | came
away. 1t was one Of his servants
He took her in his arms, and looked
dow into her face.
I've had CHASTITY time" he said,
land you. too. Darling. you look thin I
and i'll. l tried to find you when | got
back-but-it was months after the !
wreck. We had drifted for weeks 4
we were half mad and half dead when !
we were picked up, and then | was
helpless.
1T was weeks after that before | 4