Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 118 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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rx easy wave of his hand. ‘* Must is a strong term, Mr. Fitler. Idecline to be governed by it.” ‘‘* Which means that you will not explain. Or else that you cannot. Your refusal gives me a disagree- able duty, Mr. Elkton.” ‘* Which is?’ replied Joh ae “To arrest you, on a criminal charge,’ said Mr. Fit er, laying his hand heavily on John’s shoulder, CHAPTER XIV, WILL’S REVELATION. lv was Jennie Arlington’s first trouble, and it was adeep one, She was proud, in her — that rare ‘ido which shrinks from disgrace as from a pesti- fates. yet is conjoined with a sterling honesty that cl.o23 to the right, even through disgrace. ‘)» had suffered deeply, from the moment of dis- ccvory that her lover was, in some strange way, 0)» ) to suspicion. : Her weak effort to conceal the tr..ta from her guardian had been followed by Mr. Wilison’s accusation of her lover, and his insulting Bull. Following this was John E\)kton’s own strange manner, and his positive refusal to explain his pos- session of the silk. The mystery deepened and darkened with every new deveiopment, and the poor girl’s heart throbbed with painful suspense as she thought over the many sad pos: ivilities that lay in the future. Yet with it all she lost no faith in her lover’s truth uw... honesty. She had come from their last meeting convinced of his innocence, though aware that he was in some wey involved in suspicion, and tremblin:: lest h» shoul. find lvss favcrabie interpre- ters of his silence than }-ers— tf. Her li's, so far, had Leen sunny, and this sudden descent into the shadow of a great cloud was doubly hard to bear. But there was in her nature powers which: sad never yet been developed, and which rose wi iin her to meet this crisis in her life. That natur is only half GeveroDrs on which the hand of sorroy,’ .as never been laid, She sot brooding in the library, Jooking out over the brscat June flowers in the garden, yet seeing only shadow there, when her reverio was broken by @ servant announcing a visitor. She turned to see the hancsome face and sturdy form of Will Somers. He advanced into the room with his usual air of self-possession, liis cap still on his head, and a flavor of the street Arab still about him, despite his good clothes and the lessons in polite” oss he had received. Will ys not to be easily cured of the effects of his early | rcining. *Oo.ne out to see you on some bizness for Mr. Leon:.:d,” he said, taking a seat nonchalantly, ** but fin’t ia no hurry, and guess I'll stay awhile and have chat.” “Tow ad» you think Mr. Leonard will like your cee ing when he may want you back in haste?’’ she asxed, “It takes two to make a bargain,” he replied, carelessly. ‘He's one, and I’m t’other, If he sees me back in the store afore I feel like getting there, I hope itl! do his ey ht good.”’ “You tiave found him a kindly employer, Will. You would not impose on him?” she asked, depreca- tingly. | I've ot nothing ag’in’ him,” said Will. ‘He's behaved himself pretty well since I’ve been there. If he han s out the same I won't shake him. I’m not a bit afeard of work, gal. Don’t take that no- = into your head. He’s got nothing to find fault t %? ‘Well wiiat canI dofor you to-day?” she said, Wnty pe it to give him a hint that it was best for him to go. ‘** Now svt down ag’in, Jennie,” said Will, with an **Don’t be gett worried ebout me. I'm all right. Intend stick by Mr. Leonard as long as he keeps up to the square, so don’t thins Pll giving bim his walking-papers, Set down. I want to talk to you.’ ; ‘*Make it brief, then,”’ she said, reluctantly seat- ine herself, * How about the chap you told me about when I was here afore? Sticking to him yet? I told you to shake him you know, and guess it’s the best you can do. ‘Ts tnat all you have to say?” she asked, impa- tiently. : “ Tan goin’ for you m , you know,” said Will, unabashed. ‘Jist want you to wait I'm grown up. Drop that chap like a potato. He ain’t half goo’-lookin’ enough or good enough for you." " as appear to know a great deal about him,” she said, am ‘Think I seen him the day I met you in town. Jist you shake him, that’s my advice. Look at me, handsome, well-built feller, and turned of sixteen. be in the market after a while, and the gal that gets me is a lucky one.”’ ** I will bear you in mind, if [ run short of a lover,” she replied, witha smile. ‘Iwill let you know when I dismiss the present one.”’ * What's the chap’s name, anyhow?’ asked Will, twisting round on his chair. ** Suppose I don’t choose to tel! his rival?’’ ** Ain't ashamed of him, are you?”’ *Notatall. His name is Saha Elkton.” “Wha s that?’ cried Will, suddenly, starting as if somer!::o¢ had struck him. ‘““Wr,, Will,” she replied, in wonder, ** what ails ou?’ me Johu Elkton, you said?” * Certainly.” ‘‘ He’s a salesman at White & Bradley's ain't he?” Yes,” she replied, with a nervous twitch of the ers. @uess he’s out of the market, and the coast’s ans 7 = $$ ———$—$— me rm em ee _ — — clear for this young man,” said Will, settl him- self back easily in his chair, gis ‘“*I don’t understand you. Explain yourself,” she said, rising and laying her hand impulsively on ae shoulder, while a slight pallor came upon her ace. “Thought everybody knowed it,”’ said Will, easily. * That a *s in quod.”’ ‘ ‘*In what?” she asked. ‘“*He’s down below, Isay. In the stone jug.” ** You say a great deal,’ she said, shaking him in her impatience. “1 wish you would say something that could be understood,” ‘***Tain’t my fault if folks don’t understand good English,’ said Will. ‘* He’s locked up in — Down > oya. Took up for smuggling out of the custom 10use.”’ Sick at heart on hearing this sudden confirmation of her worst fears, Jennie staggered back to her chair, geating herself pnt as if a great weight had been laid upon her sho ders Will looked on in unwonted surprise, a faint sus- picion struggling through his brain that he had gone too far. The mysteries of the female heart were an unsolved problem to him, and he had no! dreamed that he might be touching exposed nerves with his rude remarks. A revulsion came upon him as he saw her sink back pale and helpless, in her chair. ‘Why, Jennie,” he cried, with a show of emotion, ** hope I haven't hurt your feelin’s? Didn't calculate that you keered that much for the man. Don’t be so worried. Guess he'll come out all right.”’ ** Is it really so?” she asked, in a low, frightened tone. ‘Is he really in prison?” * Yes," said Will. ‘But he won't stay there, so don’t you worry. We'll get him out. Ill go bail for him miyself,”’ She smiled sadly at Will’s idea of goin bail, ‘* Now hold your head up, Jennie,” said Will, put- ting his arm round her with a movement of boyish sympathy. “It’s a pity I hadn't better sense; a feller that’s been around like me. But I’ve been kicked up ag boys. Dunno much about gals.” * There, Will, with a proud gesture, asif she had thrown off a weakness. “}e is innocent. I know that. It is iilt.”’ “Why, how will you do that?’ she doubtfully asked. goin’ through Mr. Leonard, Got the trap set, but it ain't sprung yet. Think Vil catch an old foxina tight trap.”’ ** Is that so, Will?” Miss Arlington eagerly asked. ‘Whom do you suspect?” ‘** Never mind now,’’ was Will’s mysterious answer. ‘*There’s more than one init. Been spotting them for some time. Bet I bring them up with a half- ‘* Does Mr. Leonard know of your suspicions?” ‘**Not he. Nor nobody else ‘cept Willful Will. That's not the way I carry on bizness. WhenI take a job in hand I don’t wantno pards. I know they’ve got a notion that I’m mixed in it myself, and I know who set up that job. If I don’t prove him a liar, it’s queer.” *You will? They don’t suspect you of being leagued with the robbers?”’ “Think they do, but they've got the wron eg n, a. the horns. Don’t you worry about John There won't no harm cometo him. Didn't know past was so tied upin him, or I wouldn’t joke about im the way I did,”’ ‘Why, Will, you weren’t making lovein earnest then?’ she said, with a look of concern. “Now you know I wasn’t, Jennie; so don't be poking fun at me. When I make love in earnest I'll go a different way about it.’ ‘**T would like to be by.”’ ‘*Hope you won't, for I ain't in love with you. Like you though, Jennie, first-rate, There’s some- thing keeps pulling me to you. Guess it’s ‘cause ou look like me. Anyhow, I’m goin’ to take John Ikton out of jail, or it'll be queer.” _ “T hope you may be able,’’ she said, seriously. Will’s confident manner gave her hope despite her better judgment. “I never said a thing I didn’t do, and I won’t go back on this,” said Will, with an earnest and assured air that gave ber new hope.» The boy was energetic, honest and shrewd, and his early lite might have given him much experience of the criminal classes. He might then net be talk- ing without warrant, and she felt herself leaning with great faith upon his promise, ‘Guess I'd better be going now,” said Will. time’s about up.” | . In ten minutes more, his errand completed, he was on his way back to the store. to himsel her. Hope John Elkton ain’t mixed with the gang. Don’t think he is. Seen him the other day, and he's got an honest man’s face. That goes’for a good eal these days.” CHAPTER XV. WILL VISITS MR, SOMERS. **T wouLp have preferred to have kept this matter quiet,’’ said Mr. Fitler, the officer. ‘* But that can- not be done now. The robbery of the cloths is pub- lic ve hah and the arrest of John Elkton has e the affair of the silks as public.” “And he still refuses to tell where he got the piece which he gave my ward?” asked Mr. Leonard, anxiously. “Yes. We cannot set a word from him about it."’ do not blame you,”’ she said, rising | ngt possible that innocence can suffer the penalty of | re [ know he is, and I'l! clear bim. Just leave it to | | ed Mr, Fitler. “Think Pve got my eye on the chap that’s been | | mr got some of my own to ‘tend to. ; “my gettin’ off early?” asked Will. e Mighty nice gal. Ain’t many like her,” he said; * . ‘I'm jist the fellerto do what I can for | i 1S “That has a very enspicoes look,” said Mr. Wil-~ son. ‘*The man could have no object in robbers unless he hopes to save himself by it.” ‘* He won't save himself,’’ said the officer, sharply. “It looks more like the old principle of honor among thieves.”’ ‘“‘And you have no other trace?’ asked Mr. Leon- ‘‘ Nothing as yet. The rogues have covered up their track well. ‘You still think it is some one in the store?” ask- . ed Wilson. “The work could not have been done without an sonar ™ here. Have you gained any new ideas about it?” ‘“‘Lam still more doubtful about that boy,” said Wilson. ‘‘There has been a suspicious-loo old man here to see him,”’ ‘““Ah!”’ soid Mr. Fitler, {nterested. “Was he. known, or was any effcrt made to follow him?” “No. I was not here.” “If he comes again he must be spotted. I don’t believe that boy is implicated, but we cannot afford. OW aot folio the boy then?” suggested Mr ° y not follow the en?” “ resort and associates. Leonard. “His places o should be known.”’ “A good idea,”’ replied the officer, in practice."’ * You had best arrest and examine him,” said Mr. Wilson. **The truth may be frightened out of him.” “Frighten him?” cried the officer. ‘“ Frighten that boy? I see you don’t know him yet. Our only hope is to take him unawares, All the magistrates in the land could not make him tell what he was not disposed to.” ‘“‘T think you are right,” said Mr. Leonard. ‘He may be coaxed. ‘here isno driving him.” ‘‘Has anything fresh turned up?’ asked the “ Any new raid on } ie dry-goods?"’ no new stuffs in lately. officer. “Nothing. We have, ha I expect to have some in next week and will see that they are watched.,”’ “You may save yourself the trouble, They won't — be touched,” said the officer, decisi ely. “ There bas been too much stir about the last for the thieves to move ayain so soon,” “I agree with you in that,” said Wilson. ‘“ They won't Le touched.’ ‘** How ahout the investigation of your books?” ask * Did y ou trace any lossy" ‘*“Yos. There has evidently been robberies con i before, ‘Three or four atleast. Perhaps dozen.”’ ‘Ah! That is important, ‘** Over a year.” “That changes the aspect of things. Have al your employes been with you that long?” ‘** All except Will.” “That fact seems to clear Will. There will be ne barm in wets him, though. I suppose you have Bp 5-day hundreds of invoices in that dime? 4 “i es , “Then the robbers are choice in their operations. They don't make a raid on every invoice, I judge from that this lot you expect now would not be ge pve eehy if ee we no seh Ug “Iq agree with you there,’ r, Wilson. ‘They will wait till our vigilance is relaxed.” Mr. Fitler leaned back in his chuir, looking closely at Wilson as he spoke. Running how long?” This intent observation of persons was a habit of his. It seemed to be called forth now by Mr. Wik son’s decided settling of how the thieves would aet. His tone had been hina (te nap Na ‘*T guess it is very et poche 8 ph gy ey were interrup the o of the door, and the abrupt « ntrehce of Willinto the de vee “ys a small packa ~ or table. A ompson says that’s correct," he sadd,. nodding famihiarly to the officer, yb A; “Very well,” answered Mr, Leonard. ‘He wants to know, what's more, what stuff you” feed your messengers on, that makes them so atip~’ a’ a tongue,” } “You have been giving him some impudence, Will,’” said Mr, donne : One “Not a bit. I never give impudence,” said Will, indignantly. “I jist w trifle. They was loafing over other thin and keeping me waiting. Now that weren of bizness, and I didn't stop long oe s0,"’ ‘What did you say to them?” asked Wilson, “told them thatif they thought I was goin” hang rownd cooling my shins waitin’ on them d mes their money for the wrong monkey, that was all. But I didn't give no ar ence,”’ sa ‘*You came very near it, then,” said Wilson. ° ~ “‘Bisness is about dene up for to-night, and Pve Any agin’. ‘No. are can a rite a Leonard. ues “That’sclever. Want‘ ocall on my uncle,” replied Will, with an odd look, as he left the poben? “S “There is some hidden meaning in that last re- mark,” said the officer, rising. ‘ Very ~— he may be going to callon the old man you eae will track him and learn who this - ual is.’’ Will was not twenty eteys from the door before the eyes of the shrewd ¢ fficer were on him. Uncon- scious of espionage |e hurried in a rapid manner through the streets, giving Mr. Fitler some trouble to keep him in sight. . He stopped at length on the doorstep of one of the you see, my idee old houses on Arch street, and boldly rung the 7 Wonder what the deuce he wants there?’ mute tered the officer. “It is a queer place a young Sj ‘GOmMmIIeEDoOo “Twill put it ely you are right,” said the encd some of them up a o, ro ™