The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1917-11-01
THE Thief
BY PAUL J. FAY.

zesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
Here are the letters ready for your
signature. Mr.. Whitman"
Miss Edwards laid the neat pile of
letters on his desk.
"All right, you may 60 now" he re-
piled CURLY.
Roland Whitman rapidly signed the
letters and then arose and yawned.
Contentment beamed from every fea-
ture. Mr.. Whitman was successful and
knew 1t. Moreover, at forty, he looked
younger than most men at thirty.
The door opened and a handsome
young man Of about seventeen en-
tered.
Hello, dad" he greeted. "Can you
let me have twenty-five dollars7 Some
Of the fellows in our class are going to
have a theater party tonight"
"Richard"-a slight frown was on
his fathers face-''how do you man.
age to spend so much money lately?
Your allowance is plentiful for all your
pleasures and you must make it do"
Mr.. Whitman, since the death of the
boys mother fifteen years before, had
been too indulgent to him. But recent
ly he had begun to think that the un-
limited amount Of money was working
him harm.
"All right, father" Richard smiled
rather ruefully. IF can't have 1t,
suppose can't. I'll try to make the
money I have do me. Are you going
home now?'
Yes, guess I WILL"
A little over an hour later, Mr..
Whitman answered the phone and
heard his bookkeeper excitedly ask
him to come to the Office.
When he reached there he found the
man with nerves unstrung.
1.-THE safe," he gasped. 1T has been
robbed. When I went to put away my
books tonight I found the cashbox open
and empty. Was there much in it?"
"About $4,000. Whether get the
money back or not the person who
stole it will 60 to prison"
In half an hour a detective was In
the office.
"Who knows the combination Of the
safe?" he asked.
The owner replied: "Mr. Holmes,
my bookkeeper; Miss Edwards, my
stenographer, and myself"
"Well, then" said the sleuth, ut
must be one Of the three who took the
money, as the safe was not opened by
force. OF course you would not rob
yourself. Do you suspect Mr.. Holmes?"
Il do not. He has been in this bust
ness as long as l. I would trust him
us firmly as would my own son."
"Well, then" the detective contin.
ued, do you suspect Miss Edwards?"
Mr.. Whitman thought a minute.
"Yes do. This afternoon Mr.. Holmes
and I left the Office. Miss Edwards
was alone. When we came back her
face was very red and she seemed
nervous. During the rest of the day
she would jump at the least noise.
Didn't you notice itY' he asked the
bOokkeeper.
Eyes, did," the old man agreed.
The detective thanked them and
withdrew.
In remarkably short time the case
of the People VS.. Catherine Edwards
was brought to court. The prosecuting
attorney was friend of Mr.. Whitman.
The girl would say nothing. She was
convicted on circumstantial evidence
and sentenced to prison.
As time passed, Mr.. Whitman became
more and more irritable. His content
ed look disappeared. His business be-
gan to suffer.
One night, he was sitting In his room
smoking, when suddenly he dropped
his cigar and sprang to his feet. For
through the smoke he saw the bars of
prison and back of them the wan
face of Catherine Edwards.
II wonder-I wonder-NO, she stole
from me. But did she?"
For the first time doubt came into
bis mind of GATHERINGS guilt. A long
time he stood thus, thinking-just
thinking.
At five o'clock Mr.. Whitman was on
the train speeding back to town. At
eight o'clock he was ut the home of
the prosecuting attorney. And ut
three o'clock that afternoon the two
men were in the executive mansion at
the state capital.
As result, few days later, Cath
crime Edwards stood outside the pris-
on, pardoned by the governor.
Mr.. Whitman met her in his car and
took her to his home Although she
objected, he led her in the house, into
the drawing room.
Catherine" he said in low voice
that broke at times. II have done you
the greatest injustice a man can do an
other. I have had you arrested for a
crime you did not commit. do not
know who did it. do not care. But
will you forgive me? want you to be-
come my wife"
Mr.. Whitman started and Gather
ines face REDEEMED as the door opened
and Richard came slowly toward
them.
Father" he said, II must tell you.
I know Miss Edwards won't. IL stole
1T a u