Ruby's Reward — page 257: what you’re looking at

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

“That may be, my young friend, still I must do ny duty, and you must proye your innocence before a judge and jury,” the officer answered, but not un- kindly. “Pray, Mr. Officer, explain what this proceeding means ?* madam now interposed, looking flushed and auxious. “This young gentleman has been very kind to me, and I am interested in him: he has been coming to my house nearly every day for a week, and he certainly does not appear like’ one who has committed so grave a crime. “That is true, madain,”’ tbe oficer returned, study- ing Walter’s frank, manly face, and beginning to feel very favorably disposed toward him, ‘but quite a sum of money and some valuable diamonds were missed a week ago today by a lady, Mrs. Robert Gordon, who is at present living in the house of Mr. Edmund Carpenter, of Philadelphia. A thorough search was at once instituted for the missing valu- ables—the servants and housekeeper were questioned and examined, but no clew could be discovered, and at tirst no one could account for the robbery, as the louse did not have the appearance of having been forcibly entered, and nothing else was taken, though there was much in the house that was valuable which a practiced cracksman would surely have made way with. Several days passed, and then it was remembered that this young man had passed the night in the house, having been detained there by @ severe storm, and having left the place very early in the morning before any one was astir, ‘suspicion naturally fell upon him. If, howev er,” the man add- ed, in conclusion, “he can prove his innocence, he will be released immediately.” “This is very disagreeable,” said Madam Howland, turning to Walter, aud regarding him with a troubled Jook. He was still very pale, and his face wore an anxious expression, for it had suddenly flashed upon bin, as he remembered Mrs, Gordon’s rewarding Hee Bag thn all that Ruby had told him regarding® pS