South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-05-19
The Thief
BY PAUL j. FAY.

She put on ner trim little hat and
well-pressed coat, tucked in an un-
ruly lock-a rarity for Catherine
Edwards-and went out.
Roland Whitman rapidly signed
the letters and then arose and
yawned Contentment beamed from
every feature. Mr.. Whitman was
successful and knew il. Moreover. al
40. he looked younger than most
men at 80.
The door opened and a handsome
young man OF about It entered.
Hello. dad" he greeted. "Can
you let me have S25? 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
manage 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 Is years before.
had been too indulgent with him.
But recently he had begun 10 think
that the unlimited amount of money
was working him harm.
All right. father" Richard smiled
rather ruefuly. IF I can't have il.
I suppose 1 can't. I'll try to make
the money 1 have do me. Are YOU
going home now?"
Yes. I guess 1 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 ne reached there. he found
the man with nerves unstrung.
THE safe" ne gasped. TT 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 I get the
money back or not the person who
stole it will go to prison"
Mr.. Whitman's face was black
with rage.
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
steuographer, and myself"
well then. said the sleuth, 'it
must be one of the three who took
the money, as the safe was not OPP
ii
not rob yourself. Do you suspect
Mr.. Holiness"
II do not. He has been in this
bushes as long as I. I would trust
him as firmly as I would my own
son"
well. Then" the detective con
tinued. do YOU suspect Miss Ed
wards?'
Mr.. Whitman thought a minute
Eyes do. This afternoon Mr.
Holmes and I left the office. Miss
Edwards was alone. Wher 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 it," he
asked the boOlIkeeper.
yes, l did the old man agreed.
The detective thanked him and
withdrew.
In a remarkably short time the
case Of the People vs.. Catherine Ed
wards was brought to court. The
prosecuting attorney was a friend of
Mr. Whitman. The girl would say
nothing She was convicted on cir
cumstant;al evidence and sentenced
TO prison.
AS the days went by q new stem
ogra pher too GATHERINGS place.
She had loose, uptidy hair and chew
ed gum. Mr. Whitman compared
her with GATHERINGS neat appear
ance and quiet ways, then discharged
her
The next stenographer was mat
tentive: she too, was discharged
Thus. every few days. a new face
was seen in the stenographer's chair.
None of them could como up 20 the
standard Of Catherine
As time passed. Mr.. whitman be-
came more and more irritable. His
contented look disappes red. His
business began 10 suffer. AT last he
concluded ne needed a rest and went
70 the seashore. But here he found
no satisfaction.
One night he was sitting i'm MS
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.
Il wonder wonder No. she
stole from me. But did she o"
He folded his arms and looked out
over the sea. For the FIRST time a
doubt came into mis- mind Of Cathe-
rine's guilt. A long time he stood
thus. thinking-just thinning
At two o'clock Mr. Whitman was
still standing there. staring at the
waves.
Yes" he unused. she has served
me faithfully for six years. That is
what's the matter with me. ] miss
her. 7 really believe Yes. 7 know
am. CATHERINE. at last 7 believe
you are innocent"
AT 5 o'clock AR Whitman was on
the train speeding back Il town. At
s O'Clock he was at the home Of the
prosecuting attorney. And AT