Gilpin observer., 1916-04-20

u wish you would tell me a little.
about yourself. Doris. Be sure that I
shall never reveal anything OF 1t. Let
me repeat, first. what have already
learned from you. You were horn and
brought up in that little lumber COM
munity you told me about You went
to the Learest high school FIVE miles
away. Your father was poor-he had
lost considerable in California Oil
mines, believe you told me- He still
lives simply in the old place. New
is that all true, Doris?"
"Yes, 1t is. and some time you will
go back with me. want you to know
and like my father
Lawrence frowned slightly. 81 hope
the meeting will be pleasant one.
You won't be hurt II ask you anoth-
er question. Is your father paying
for your education?"
Suddenly Doris blushed and for ther
first time showed real annoyance
YES" she said. THAT is-no; he iss.
not!"
From whom do you receive it?~
Doris refused to answer. Lawrence
pleaded with her in vain, but no moree
would she say.
This is very hard for me-" said,
Lawrence at length. But since you
won't help me by telling all you know
about 1t am obliged to make thor
ough search of your room The presi-
dent Of the college authorized 1t. Let
me do It informally this way and then
shall be able to help you out OF
what may be very serious matter.
had hoped that you would clear the
n after without this-but you have ap-
parently some reason why you don't
want to tell me the truth. Be sure
that will do everything. even to the
limit, to get you out of this"
More than ever you talk like de-
tective," Doris flung at him.
81 am, detective in the employ of
the federal government. 1t is coun-
terfeiting case he was still study
ing her face. but she showed no add
ed embarrassment my real name is
James Titus. We traced these coun-
terfeit bills to this town, then to the
college and I entered college to work
1t down. 1t was about four years ago,
that the bills began to circulate, but
we didn't get around to looking the
matter up till last summer. A similar
issue of counterfeits had suddenly
stopped about eight years before.
I've watched every bill that has been
paid into the class treasury, the ath-
letic association. the tea room and the
drug store. That is how l traced It
to you. have suspected you for only
a week"
Trembling and with face now
pale, now crimson Doris led James
Titus to her room in the dormitory..
She opened her wardrobe and silent
ly brought out a suit case, which she
opened and from which she drew out
heavy metal box which she unlocked
with key she wore about her neck
on l long locket chain.
James drew from the boy a roll OF
bills and examined them carefully
with a pocket magnifying glass. A
look of satisfaction at having achieved
the object Of his quest first showed ON
his face. and then = look of pain as
he looked at the detected figure at his
side
my father didn't send them.
wanted to go to college. no one knows.
how much. But then father lost his
money and he couldn't send me. That
was the summer before I was ready
to come. Then Cne day when l was
working out in one of the shanties
about two miles from home in some
woodland that father owned l found
a trapdoor. went down and cher
| fOnph thaoo xuao twa1ya hnpdrad
dollars-enough to take me through
college. or course, l couldn't tell that
they were not real. All l knew was.
that the cabin had been occupied by a
queer old sort Of hermit who had died
without leaving any heirs. know
that for the few pieces of silver ne left
in his house we could find no claim
ant. l suppose 1t was very wrong OF
me. but I thought because l found
that money 1t was mine. am 30 sor-
ry. Shall have to be in prison all
my fe?"*H
The detective drew the frightened
girl toward him as II she had been q
child making a confession.
mo one but you AMI I and the
kind-hearted president of the college
shall know. That can be arranged
easily When make a confidential
report Of this to the authorities ! am
sure there will be no further investi-
cation. In the meantime finish out
your year here and then-the very
first day you are through you must
become Mrs. James Titus"
copyright. 1916, by Mcclure Newspa-
| per Syndicate)