Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-06-15

Folsom asked him if he knew anything
about Gerald GarStOn.
mo-" he answered. II don't think
anyone does, except that he stops at
the hotel, and is pretty much of a high
flyer. l don't suppose they'll let him
stay much beyond two weeks, if he
doesn't pay his bill"
'HOw do you know he doesn't pay
his bill?" flashed Irene with evident
resentment.
Il don't know" he answered quietly,
but her look and manner stabbed him
to the heart.
Because Mr.. GarstOn is popular
with everyone, that's no reason why
anybody should say such things"
NO" he answered, 'if-but I don't
think I'd better say any more"
81 think not" she responded Jelly.
The constraint of the silence that fol-
lowed was broken by the young man
rising, and taking his leave.
Il think" said Mrs. Folsom, "Jerry
knew more than he would say"
81 think" said Irene, ut was just
mean contemplate Jealousy. 1 didn't
think he'd be so meanw
Irene walking toward the post Office
late the next afternoon saw Gerald
Garston passing in an automobile. He
saw her at the same moment, and be-
ing at the wheel, Immediately stopped
the machine. He was alone, and
begged her to come with him for lit
tie spin. She objected that she must
be home in about an hour, but he said
she need not stay an hour if she did
not wish. The temptation was too
much for the girl, and she got in.
| About half a mile further, in the out
skirts of the town, he halted the car
| before a small house, and eXcusing
| himself, went in. He was not gone
more than two minutes when he re-
| turned, and they went on. They
bowled along pretty country road,
GarstOn's manner was respectfully pO-
lite, and Irene was enjoying it to the
full. After a while she began to re-
mind him he must get her home in
| time. He promised, and put on more
speed. After a minute or two, he
looked behind, uttered an explanation,
and said "a cops coming! Speed
ing I suppose"
Here the man behind yelled a warn
ing, and Garston halted the machine.
The policeman came up on his
| uhoal mt Gorcton I1pdar orract opd
told him to drive on to headquarters,
which was only half a mile away, and
he would keep with him. Garston,
followed by the policeman, went in.
After a few minutes Garston came out,
worried and embarrassed. He was
fined fifty dollars, he hadn't more than
five In his pocket, and the prospects
were they would both have to spend
the night in the station.
"Oh, but my mother! !" cried Irene.
"Oh no no something must be done ~
II haven't even my watch with me.
It's at the Jewelers." he said.
Nearly crazed, Irene took the jew
eled watch from her wrist, and begged
him to leave 1t till he could pay the
fine. Promising to get it back to her
the next day, he took it in, and soon
they were on their homeward way.
Irene anxiously waited for the return
of the watch. The second day she
telephOned the hotel, but Mr.. Garston
had left. Then she called up police
headquarters at EaSton, but they had
never heard of a watch or a man
named GarstOn. 1t was a very neatly
cOntrived robbery. The policeman was
simply a disguised confederate, and
the building not headquarters" The
watch was never recovered, and poor
Irene had to confess to her mother
and acknowledge that in nine cases out
Of ten, a girl would better take her
mothers advice. Whether or not she
followed it in regard to Jerry, the
wedding cards were out in about three
months.