The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-03-29

and command that somehow chilled
the hearts of mother and fiancee.
HE is not here" Mrs. Graham adj
vised the visitor. at Is three months
since we saw him last. Even his usual
letter missed us last week. Oh, sirl
l trust there is no trouble"
Sorry to say there u.s." bluntly re-
sponded the stranger, "and / am a de-
tective looking for him. He disap-
peared from his work ten days ago,
taking with him twenty thousand dol
lars Of the funds of the company in
trusted to his charge"
my son a theft" cried Mrs. Ora
ham. at is false ~
The man shrugged his shoulders in
differently.
81 do not believe him. breathed
Marjorie, agitatedly. "There is some
error, some plot, oh! be assured of
that. Mother Graham, 1 am going
straight to the city to ferret out all
the details of this terrible thing"
Marjorie Dale was received at the
place where Verne Graham had been
cashier by the manager, a Mr.. Thorpe.
The man was coldly polite and matter
of fact. The money and Verne Graham
had vanished together, this man told
Marjorie.
Marjorie carried a breaking heart
back to the little country village. She
told her story amid the tears to the
stricken mother. ooh, it is vain %
cried Marjorie. "Verne will never
come back"
"He will come" sOlemnly declared
the mother. "Of his innocence or guilt
what can l say, but he is always my
son, always welcome, no matter how
black his sins may be. Some night
Verne will come back to the light in
the window"
Then came break in their compan-
ionship. MarjOrie's father died and
brother insisted on Mrs. Dale making
her home in his household. Marjorie
went to the city and became a nurse
In public hospital. One night the
word went round that terrible rail-
road accident would send in many suf-
fsrels for treatment. After the sur
geOns had attended to one victim in
her ward, he delegated the patient to
MarjOrie's charge. The man was in
sensible and had sustained frightful
injuries. Marjorie was startled as she
recognized him. He was the plant
manager Mr. Thorpe, whom Marjorie
had called upon in regard to the dis
appearance of Verne Graham.
Marjorie sat down by the cot. She
became conscious that the eyes of the
patient were fixed upon her. She met
the glance.
'Tve seen you before" spoke Thorpe.
"YOu were the sweetheart Of Verne
Graham"
"Try and keep quiet" directed Mar
jorie gently. 'It will harm you to
talk"
give got to talk!' almost shouted
the man, in wild strain Of excitement,
II want you to send at once for Mr..
Woodson, the head of our house. It
Is vital, it must be done, and more for
your sake than my own"
Marjorie consulted the head nurse
and Mr.. WOodsOn was sent for. He
arrived within the hour. As Marjorie
placed chair by the bedside Of the
patient and moved out Of hearing, the
latter called out insistently:
mo, no-she must hear, too. Mr..
WOodsOn, Verne Green never stole that
twenty thousand dollars. 1t was who
| did it. I worked out plot against him
and hired some persons as wicked as
myself to hold him in captivity. Take
down my confession and the details Of
where this man whom I have so cruelty
wronged can be found and rescued"
| Thorpe breathed his last the next
morning. The wealthy and humane
Mr.. Woodson at once insisted that she
accompany him on the journey that
was to restore to loyal, faithful girl
her lover, to a patient, loving mother
ner cherished son.
"The house will make all due amends
FOR the fearful work of Thorpe"
pledged Mr.. WoOdson.
And the light in the window well
.Omed Verne home at last!