Dan The Newsboy 26

Dan The Newsboy 26

In turning a street corner, he brushed against a rough-looking man who

was leaning against a lamp-post.

 

"I beg your pardon," said the book-keeper, politely.

 

"What did you say?" growled Bill.

 

"Hartford," said Talbot, in a low tone.

 

"All right, sir. If you apologize it's all correct."

 

"They've got the word," said Talbot to himself. "Now the responsibility

rests with them. Now I will go and see Virginia."

 

His face flushed, and his eyes lighted up with joy, as he uttered her

name. He was deeply in love, and he felt that at last he was in a

position to win the consent of the object of his passion. He knew, or,

rather, he suspected her to be coldly selfish, but he was infatuated. It

was enough that he had fulfilled the conditions imposed upon him. In a

few days he would be on his way to Europe with the lady of his love.

Matters were so arranged that the loss of the twelve thousand dollars

would be credited to the burglars. He would escape suspicion. If his

European journey should excite a shadow of suspicion, nothing could be

proved, and he could represent that he had been lucky in stock

speculations, as even now he intended to represent to Miss Conway.

 

He was not afraid that she would be deeply shocked by his method of

obtaining money, but he felt that it would be better not to trust her

with a secret, which, if divulged, would compromise his safety.

 

"Is Miss Conway at home?" he inquired.

 

Yes, Miss Conway was at home, and she soon entered the room, smiling

upon him inquiringly.

 

"Well," she said, "have you any news to tell me?"

 

"Virginia, are you ready to fulfill your promise?" asked Talbot,

eagerly.

 

"What promise?"

 

"You know, surely."

 

"I make so many promises, you know," she said, fencing.

 

"Your promise to marry me."

 

"But there were conditions to that."

 

"Suppose that the conditions are fulfilled, Virginia?"

 

"Do you really mean so?" she asked, betraying strong interest now. "Have

you been lucky in stocks?"

 

"I took your advice, Virginia. I dared everything, and I have

succeeded."

 

"As you might have done before, had you listened to me. How much did you

make?"

 

"Ten thousand dollars--the amount you required."

 

The girl's eyes sparkled.

 

"And you will take me to Europe?" she said. "We will make the grand

tour?"

 

"As soon as you please."

 

"Then you deserve a reward."

 

She stooped and pressed a kiss lightly upon his cheek.

 

It was a mercenary kiss, but he was so much in love that he felt repaid

for the wrong and wickedness he had done. It would not always be so,

even if he should never be detected, but for the moment he was happy.

 

"Now let us form our plans," he said. "Will you marry me to-morrow

evening?"

 

"But that gives me no time."

 

"You need no time. We will call on a clergyman, quietly, to-morrow

evening, and in fifteen minutes we shall be man and wife. On Saturday a

steamer leaves for Europe. We will start then."

 

"Oh, that will be nice. I can hardly believe that I shall so soon

realize the dreams of years. I want to go to Paris first."

 

"Anywhere you please. Your wish shall be my law."

 

"How can you be spared from your business?" asked Virginia, after a

pause.

 

"I will plead ill health--anything. There will be no difficulty about

that."

 

"Shall I tell my aunt?"

 

"No; not till you are almost ready to start."

 

"Why not?"

 

"It is better that there should be no gossip about it. Besides, your

aunt would probably be scandalized by our hasty marriage, and insist

upon delay. That's something we should neither of us be willing to

consent to."

 

"No, for it would interfere with our European trip."

 

"You consent, then, to my plans?"

 

"Yes; I will give you your own way this time," said Virginia, smiling.

 

"And you will insist on having your own way ever after?"

 

"Of course," she said; "isn't that right?"

 

"I am afraid I must consent, at any rate; but, since you are to rule,

you must not be a tyrant, my darling."

 

Talbot agreed to stay to dinner; indeed, it had been his intention from

the first. He remained till the city clocks struck eleven, and then took

leave of Miss Conway at the door.

 

He set out for his boarding-place, his mind filled with thoughts of his

coming happiness, when a hand was laid on his arm.

 

He wheeled suddenly, and his glance fell on a quiet man--the detective.

 

"What's wanted?" he asked, not dreaming of the truth.

 

"You must come with me, Mr. Talbot," was the reply. "You are suspected

of robbing the firm that employs you."

 

"This is absurd nonsense!" exclaimed Talbot, putting on a bold face,

though his heart sank within him.

 

"I hope so; but you must accompany me, and submit to a search. If my

suspicions are unfounded, I will apologize."

 

"Hands off, fellow! I believe you intend to rob me. I will give you into

custody."

 

The detective put a whistle to his mouth, and his summons brought a

policeman.

 

"Take this man into custody," he said.

 

"This is an outrage!" exclaimed Talbot; but he was very pale.

 

"You will be searched at the station-house, Mr. Talbot," said the

detective. "I hope nothing will be found to criminate you. If not, you

shall go free."

 

Talbot, with a swift motion, drew something from his pocket, and hurled

it into the darkness. But he was observed.

 

The detective darted after it, and brought it back.

 

"This is what I wanted," he said. "Policeman, you will bear witness

that it was in Mr. Talbot's possession. I fear we shall have to detain

you a considerable time, sir."

 

Talbot did not utter a word. Fate had turned against him, and he was

sullen and desperate.

 

"How did they suspect?" he asked himself; but no answer suggested itself.