Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1917-03-09

as she StroVe to make Roadway. with
opened umbrella, against a bowling
wind that drove the rain fiercely before
1T.
She stood still for "A moment with the
intention OF closing the umbrella, anG
then she saw she was in front Of tbs
steps OF the Holborn viaduct, and took
immediate refuge under the shelter OF
the archway at the top of the steps in
order 10 save herself from "A thorough
drenching.
SHE had scarcely reached the shelter
"heft the figure of a man appeared.
fiere. TAX il, quick. and be Off; I'm
ShadoWed,' cried the man, whom she
could barely distinguish in the gather
ing darkness. He thrust something into
the hands of The bewildered girl and
flew down the steps. At the same mo-
roadway shout. followed by n cry
mat rose above the noise of the rattle
OF cabs ~ omnibuses. Nora under
stood that some poo %creature had been
run over in attempting to cross the
road. and the thought. in her present
distressed and agitated condition, upset
her greatly.
mus give ii up for today and
go home" she almost sobbed. Home"
1t sounded like a mockery. Il can
get a bus from here to go part of the
way"
~ Af'S IC III ~ SIItdtI way
and she was successful in obtaining an
inside seat right at one end.
HaNing now some time in which to
think collectively and to breathe freely
She began 10 reflect on the probable
nature of The injuries suffered by that
unfortunate pedestrian. and then the
recollection OF the man in the archway
came To her like n fash.
Where was that something which he
thrust into her hands. or. to speak
more correctly. that which he had
pushed gains her hands? She tried
srasped the object OF not, but she could
lot recall the exact occurrence. Where
vas II? She had not got Il. so much
Vas certain. 1T must have dropped to
ne ground. probably she let it fall
shen the cry fell on her ears.
Noras home was a small bed-sitting
Dom in the equally small house kept
y MI. and Mrs. Smithers.
MRS: SmltheYs was out when Nora re-
urned, SO the girl let herself in with
ne key which had been lent her.
She did her best to be cheerful. but
I was a relief when she lay her head
n her pillow. In the morning she felt
letter and ready once more to resume
ne hunt for a situation. Two DAYS
sassed IN u weary search for the means
u earning a living. aHd on each of
hese evenings h passed u%nintention-
uiy over the viaduct. On the second
lay n was passing those steps when
= hand was placed on her shoulder.
We're you standing here in the ain
wo evenings ago." asked a voice.
she looked up with a start. and saw
man of about % gazing fixedly at her
With keen, blue eyes.
Yes" she responded. a feeling of
ear creeping over her. Why"
Why? That being SO you can tell
ne what became Of that small packet
Of stolen property was the r%ejoinder.
Il do not knOw!' poor
Nora. in dismay at this v%eriication of
aer original suspicion. II don't hin
t'had II. That is. l don't know any
hing about it,"
HIM" thought Maurice. II thought
:hat n was a new hand and was max
ing "A mess of it, but his looks like
genuine innocence. No. l don't hin
:here is any acting here. Then. what
on earth is at the bottom of 1t alp"
Aloud he said: Il beg your pardon. l
mystery that I did not suspect. / am
Z detective, trying to unravel a tangle.
o may be able to throw some light
on It. Can ] see you anywhere"
If o like to come to Mrs. Smith
ers' this evening, she will be at home,
and ! will tell you all I know
THANK you.'' he said. courteously,
- VI NhhS SoJs
I'm sure ! don't know il I have done
eight" cried Nora to Mrs. Smithers,
at the end Of her story. But l told
him, n no doubt he will come. He
gave me his card: his name is Maurice
Westmoir...
Maurice Westmoir arrived.
You wonder how it was that I knew
you were the lady who vas standing
at that spot he began. A robbery OF
diamonds had been committed: the pO-
lice had "a clew to the thief. He was
t~ryingkto get those diamonds to an ac-
complice-a woman. 1t was suspected,
from his antecedentsEwhO could take
them to Holland to dispose Of them.
The police had got on his track: a de-
tective had succeeded in getting close
to him while he q a packet OF stones
on him."
II am 10 sorry that I have lost the
parcel!" said Nora regretfully. What
IL to ED done9"
you can help me catch the rogues.
at least" remarked Maurice.
This u the scheme. pursued Maurice
eagerly. II propose to insert an adver-
tisement to the effect that the young
lady who received the packet by mis-
take win return the same II the address
to which 1t should be returned ID stated
In a letter TO be sent to Miss Welsh at
some address on which we can decide
S0me shop where you can have letters
sent on payment 0f q small fee"
1t occurred o MRS. Smitheys that Mr..
Westmoir stayed longer than was alb
solutely necessary. but she said noth-
that advertisement required a lot OF
edftiln9 and altering. And the next two
EVENINGS ne came again. Mr.. West
moirs had learned her history n he
4ed told her his own. He was the son
AZ the diamond merchant from whom,
rr-.Hnwn~ haA hnAvh af01on and h1nfod