The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-09-13

and, as If of no value to the owner,
none of the other jewels were specified.
The name and address quoted was Aunt
| Euphemia's.
Jack always muttered 'Bosh!' when
! FTeda's sentimental view of the case
| was mentioned, and she. keeping her
opinion, would deftly change the sub
| ject.
Badly built and draughty as was In
mistaken, they both became very fond
of their little home. Nothing could
make 1t look much, but the geraniums
and marguerites in the window boxes
marked the cottage as the prettiest in
the ugly row, and they endeavored to
make something of the patch of gar
den. The inside was better than the
out, for here Freda could cover up
! defects with a fern or two and some
inexpensive drapery.
If 1t weren't for the beetles should
be quite, quite happy" she said one
day.
''What?" asked Jack. Beetles
Where?'
Haven't you seen them? Ugh! Go
into the kitchen at night. Ugh! They
swarm all black and shiny, and some
times I'm haunted by them in my
| dreams!"
why didn't you tell me before? We
can soon settle the beetles by plaster
ing up every hole and crevice in the
| Kitchen
Nov, Jack? At once?"
They were in an almost empty room
at the top Of the house. the table and
the chair and the books giving it the
proud distinction OF Jacks study"
He looked up from his work with a
slight frown. and then laughed out
right at the childish eagerness of her
/ face.
All right. Now! At once!' he said,
letting her lead him downstairs. we
won't be outdone by beetlesr'
! There seemed only one hole left to
| be filled up, and Jack was sitting on
the kitchen floor, very warm indeed
and weakness of resolve about his
mouth.
Wont that do?' he asked wistfully.
Its back breaking work.
There's only one more,'' coaxed
Freda. See, just by the wainscot in
this corner" She tapped it as she
| spoke, and the wood gaped an inch or
! two from the wall. How loose it isl
| There must be whole army of beetles
| behind it."
Jack looked to see, but in his heavier
touch the whole piece came away in
| his hands.
by Jover' he exclaimed-not at the
accident. but at the sight revealed
| by it.
Freda shut her eyes, and screamed
| without having seen anything, her i'm
| agination running riot as she hastily
| gathered up her skirts to beat quick
| retreat. The alarm proved not to be
| beetles, but something far less harm
| less. Half a dozen curious-looking
| tools lay packed in the recess that had
been picked in the wall behind the
wainscot, and as Jack pulled them out
one by one he whispered significantly.
'tThey look to me like burglars
| tools!' he said, handling an old bent
chisel, or Jumper" in their own par
| lance. But how they got here is a
mystery"
why, burglars have rented this
| place at one time, of course!' cried
Freda. Zone does hear of persons with
| felonious intent living in extraordinary
ways to guard against suspicion. And
what could look more innocent than
| this ugly little cottage? What are you
| looking at now, Jack?"
! He was peering at something he had
just CROPPED up from the dark and dust.
It's ring" he said, bringing a
small bent circlet of gold nearer the
light. Evidently of no value, or the
party, or parties, wouldn't have left it
! behind"
Its a ruby ring" said Freda, taxi
! ing it in her turn. "a ruby ring, she
said again. thoughtfully, with an in,
SCriptiOn inside.
The two heads bent closer together,
and presently started apart, and both
looked at each other in anazement,
and then again stopped over the ring.
at isr said Freda.
"Weu. Tm-well!, said Jack.
Then they iscussed-Without an idea
Of quarreling this ti1ne-Aunt Euphe-
| mia's advertisement, and compared II,
little by little, even to the date IN
| scribed.
poor Aunt Euphemia!" said Freda.
How glad she'll be!'
Jack grunted.
Dear boy" Sic whispered, were
so happy ourselves, don't let's grudge
! her this one little thing! :.
81 suppose we must send 1T to her.
"Why, Of course we must. and look
as If we liked it too. I'll tell you what
wen do, Jack. We won't trust to the
post but We'll take 1t ourselves
"And wait for the handsome re-
wards? She wouldn't give 1t. Her gen
erous impulse had fizzled out by TINS
time. Besides, 1t would be an excel
lent chance for her to get it on the
cheap from her poor relations.
ooh, Jack! The reward wasn't In
my head" u,,. .nato make
sure of not being suspected or asking
| for it, we'll leave the trumpery geW-
1
1t was Aunt Euphenia's elderly
| maid who opened the door; ana glad
/ cry escaped her as her Redeemed eyes
| recognized Freda.
$50 you've come at last, miss she
| said, in fearful tones.
Freda stood hesitating, toying with
a small packet in her hand.
"Give her the thing and come away
prompted Jack
| But still Freda hesitated.
as she ill?" she asked at last-"very
ILL.,"
The woman nodded vehemently.
81 thought you knew, as you We come,
miss. Ny mistress has never conscious
ly mentioned your name since you
left the house; but since she was took
worse she's called out for you in her
sleep most piteous-like. And
now they say she's dying.
81 will come in"
"Freda. 1 forbid your said Jack, lay
inc a OBTAINING hand on her arm.
# was the first time he had ever
locked so at her, and she wayered q
mCment-no more -
II must. she said very gently. 1T
is right, Jack"
The heavy hall door closed behind
her and he waited on the pavement,
very angry with his wife. and by and
by a little angry with himself
The time he was left alone seemed to
him interminable as he prowled round
and round the square. Once he saw a
servant rush out Of the house with a
telegraph form in her hand; and later
he saw a hanson drive up, and big,
legal looking gentleman spring out;
but Jack was too tired and cross to
surmise, or even wonder.
Nearly two hours had passed when
Freda Joined him, and then no word
passed between them on the homeward