Ruby's Reward — page 256: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

mystery explained.” “No,’’ said madam, making a little authoritative gesture; “stay where you are, if you please,” Then turning again to the girl, she added: “Sarah, go down and ask the officer if le will do me the favor to come up stairs.” Walter protested against this, for he could not en- dure the thought of her being annoyed on his ac- count; but she insisted, “Of course, it is all a mistake,” she said; “but it may be a mistake that will cause you some trouble, and I should not rest until it was explained. Go, Sarah,” The girl retired, but soon returned, accompanied by an_ officer, who, the moment he saw Walter, ap- a aa him and arrested him “in the name of the aw.’ “What does this mean?’ the young man inquired, looking greatly disturbed. “Tt means that I have orders to take you into cus- tody, and I am simply performing my duty,” the Iman returned, reading his prisoner's face with a searching glance. “What is the charge against him?’ demanded Madam Howland, haughtily, ‘ “T regret to say, madam, that it is—robbery,” the officer returned, respectfully. “Robbery!” exclaimed both of his listeners, in one breath, while a vivid crimson shot over Walter’s face, then quickly receding, left him pale as death. ‘Yes, that is the charge,” the man answered. “Whom have I robbed?—what am I uecused of having taken?” cried the young man, proudly, “Money and jewels.’ “Money aud jewels! Ihaveno money but what I have honorably eurned, and as for jewels, [ have no a rg Or Te ie , Wi ra 8c é ¥ a 7 a Walter replied, with a s¢ ornfiyl curl of