The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1916-02-04


II he told her that he took the porte
monnaie simply TO return 1t to her she
would not believe him. and he saw an
adventure in final confession, proving
his responsibility at the same time,
This would cause her to feel that she
had wronged him and give him a great
advantage. Quite likely the panied
look on the girls face that followed
one Of surprise had something to do
with his action. Be this as it may. he
denied having seen the missing article,
not having any very definite plan Of
subsequent action.
give me my portemonnaie," she said.
II saw you take 1t. To think that such
a respectable looking person should be
q common
She baked at the word thief. II was
too contemptuOus a word to apply to
so respectable appearing person.
IF you knew my motive" said Billy.
you would have sympathy for me-"
"What motive?"
1.-THE blessed Christmas season is
coming. and | have nothing with which
to buy gifts for my dear mother and
five young brothers and sisters"
A plying expression came over the
girls face. a mingling of pain, sympa-
thy and forgiveness. 1t made Billy
feel that to elicit such an expression
he would rob bank.
Keep the money" said the girl, land
If there is not enough to buy gifts for
all l will add to it. But return my
portemonnaie and the other contents.
They were given me last Christmas by
my dear mother"
Billy hung his head. 1t seemed as If
he had been touched by this kindly
magnanimity, and repentance was be-
ginning to well up within him. Taking
the portemonnaie from his pocket, he
handed it to her without opening 1t.
She took some bills there were in it
and handed them to him.
NO" he said. You have made me
see the error of my ways. am re-
pentant. Call for the police and have
me locked up"
AS the perpetrator of this stupendous
bluff well knew, the girl would do no
such thing. But when she told him
that she forgave him and would do
nothing to interfere with any good res
olutions he might make for his future
the scamp protested that she was not
doing her duty.
You have no right to permit me to
go free" he said mournfully. "You are
risking the valuables of every one in
this house. How do you know but that
l will go on in my pernicious way? 1t
Is your duty TO hand me over to the
authorities, or rather to inform the
proprietors of this hotel that they are
harboring a thief. They will have me
arrested and lodged in JAIL will pay
the penalty of my wickedness and
when have expiated it will take the
path into which | have been led by
your magnanimity."
THAT is not necessary. All you have
to do Is to leave this house, promising
me that you will lead an honest life
from this time forward. Besides. the
motive for your crime must be consid-
cred. You were not stealing for your
self. but to give pleasure to those you
love-"
That was all very well except leav-
ing the house. which Billy had no in
tention Of doing.
IF l am to be trusted" he said.
switching off from the previous argu-
ment, II may as well remain here as
anywhere. You have my promise that
l will never steal again.
Billy was relieved from explaining
how he was to remain in house the
lowest priced room Of which was S.
day-Biily's suit was $25-by the ap-