The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-06-21
have taken them and gone out without
ssaa Il In

Singular. isn't it, that a girl doesn't
know she loves man till he turns out
| to be a thief! That's the way with us
women; we are always acting by con-
traries.
Not long ago l was uncertain about
| Oscar and thought Donald a splendid
man. But was fascinated with Oscar,
and Donald seemed devoid Of romance
Now that Donald is in trouble, through
heart
Girard Roberts has Just come in. He
says that Donald has given bail for his
appearance when the trial comes off
and is now free. Girard says that, not
withstanding appearances are against
Donald, he doesn't believe him guilty.
'.Then," l said, Il don't believe him
guilty either" But the next minute
reproved myself for being influenced
by this easy going man. Did he not
say when l asked him his opinion Of
Donald before this matter occurred,
Hes good fellow too
What's the use Of considering the
views of one who talks like that?
told Girard to tell Donald to come and
see me. but he said he did not think
Donald would until his innocence has
been proved. | really believe there has
been some mistake, but it is very hard
to feel sure about it. 1t all happened
SO naturally Donald's coming in just
when the money was where he would
see it-at least, who else could have
come in?-and the bills being found In
his bureau drawer. Oh, dear! / must
stop thinking Of the horrid thing or l
shall go crazy.
One thing more | will say: After all,
there is something just too lovely for
anything in Girard Roberts saying that
he doesn't believe Donald guilty. If
any one should take anything Of mine
and 1t were found In his bureau draw.
er l couldn't be SO generous as to at
tribute the theft to an error
Donald has been to see me. He did
not act or talk like guilty man.
What's more. he didn't seem to realize
his awful position. l supposed that
he was more sensitive Though charg.
ed with stealing money that was In
tended for aunty, with whom he has
been on friendly terms for years, to
say nothing Of his devotion to me, ne
seemed very unconcerned When
learned he was downstairs | nerved
For fear should say the wrong thing
l thought over what should say.
When I entered the room dreaded to
look at him. Indeed, kept my eyes Oh
the floor.
Donald | said, you know how
interested we all are that you should
clear yourself of this horrible charge
We will all do anything in the world
to help you-Aunty, l, Oscar
l looked up, and what was my sur.
prise to see an amused look on Don
AIDS face. Indeed. he was smiling
Then he advanced, took my hand and
gave 1t a gentle pressure.
Don't be troubled, little girl" he
said. There are always wheels with.
In wheels. There Is also such q thing
as being too smart. have something
to say to you. Had l not | would not
have come to see you resting under the
imputation Of being thief. Listen.
From the first l suspected something
wrong In your friend Oscar Richmond.
From what l heard | believed him to
be a thief. introduced into this house
hold Girard Roberts, who is really II
detective
"A detective!"
That's what he is. He laid trap
for Richmond and caught not Rich
mond, but me. He bought your aunt's
diamond for the purpose Of laying this
trap. He put the bills to pay for it on
the mantel as II decoy for Richmond
They were all marked, that he might
prove them his property. Richmond
took them, but, being smart rogue
and suSpecting that we were on his
track, sent man with them to my
room. This man represented himself
as an old chum of mine, and my land
lady permitted him to go to the room
to wait for me. Once there, he put the
money in my bureau drawer and went
away. The next day Richmond ar
ranged that constable should go to
my room to search for something he
claimed he had lost. You know the
result"
But" l said, Oscar Richmond did
nothing criminal You were trying t.
catch him, and he turned the tables
on you"
Wait bit. Richmond was an ac
countant for firm In San Francisco
from whom he skipped with $4,000
Roberts was employed by them to
track him. My employing Roberts was
coincidence. Richmond's real name
Is Machinery. He was arrested This
morning and is now awaiting extradi
tiOn papers to take him to San Fran
cisco for trial."
And now l am alone in my ROOM try
ing to get settled down to the fact that
am myself. Oscar Richmond is not
Oscar Richmond at all, but somebody
else and criminal. Donald Chase is
not going to the penitentiary, but is to
be my husband instead. Girard Rob
erts, who came to us with his appar-