The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1898-10-28
HIS LAST CRIME.
6 DITY my simplicity"

80 II Try my simplicity"
Simple enough words, and
l. yet lisped as they were in
lnfantlle acccuts by little maid Of
three, they struck an answering
chord somewhere in the heart Of
the hardened criminal who stood con-
ccaled behind the heavy draperics Of
the window.
lie had ground his teeth and mutt
tered hard curses when, some minutes
before, his plain Of action had been
unexpectedly foiled by the entrance Of
the child and her nurse.
What business had they herc3 This
was my lady's ROOM and as such
should have been perfectly free from
now until she retired for the night.
Lady Harrington's jewels had long
been eagerly desired by the burgling
profession, and now an excellent OPP
portunity had occurred In which to an
mex them
Slippery Jim had been selected as the
very man to bring the job % a success
full issue.
Under cover Of dun November
night, he had fixed his ladder to the
window, climbed up, and effected an
entrance.
My lady was at dinner, and as Jim
turned up a Jet Of gas over the dress
ing table, he had congratulated himself
on his adroincss.
Then had como O sound Of hurrying
footsteps, and quick as thought the gas
was lowered. and Jim hidden behind
the curtains. The nurse entered, carry
ing her little charge, the spoiled dar-
ling Of the house.
"Sleep with muvver," she had insist
cd, when being put to bed in her own
little cot and to pacify her tho nurse
had brought her thither.
Next, the little tyrant persisted that
her mother must put her into bed, and
IN response to a message from the
nurse, Lady Harrington had come has
lilly into the room.
Tho young mother looked anxiously
Mt the little flushed face
'What is It, darlng1 DO You think
she is poorly, nurseT
mo, my lady. only n hit fractions
and | thought II best 10 humOr her"
ME wants 90 to hear my pairs. q"
Then had followed the repetition Of the
favorite nursery prayer. Gentle Jesus,
meek and mild" but II was the third
limo, "Pity my simplicity" that had
struck the answering chord ia the burg
| lars breast
Where had he heard that beforel
! Pity my simplicity! The words burnt
into his brain IA he cIawled close to
the window. He scarcely Needed what
was passing IN the room, as ne erimly
wondered at this seeming familiarity
with a chlld's prayer. Precious long
time since he had thought Of a prayer,
not since his poor mother -ah! now he
knew.
II was the very prayer ne us,Sl TO say
to her ma Il tiny boy, and he romcm-
bcrcd that he always stuck at that PAY
ucular line, because he could not say
"simplcty" How It all came bacll
1t was years and years sinco-
But Lady Harrington was putting
her little daughter Into he'd.
Good night darling mako haste to
60 TO sleep"
might night" murmurcd the child,
slecpily; then, "Oh. pretty prcttyw and
the tiny hands were pulling "a the lew
els that encirclcd her mothers throat.
Lady Harrington unclasped the neck
lace, AMI put It In the little girls hand.
''rherN Murlcl shah have the pretty
thing If only she viii 60 to sleep"
The mother then left the room. charg-
ing tho nurse 10 stay and take tho neck
lace from her when she had fallen
asleep. The nurse fingered untn the
lithe girl was fast asleep, thcn looking
at the necklace stin tightly clasped,
murmured.
Poor little dear, she's Overtired. |
shan't disturb her 90 take the neck
luce" Then she, too. left the room.
The coast was now clear for Slippery
Jim. lie moved quickly towards the
safe wherein lay tho famous uarrlns.
ton Jewels.
With unusual celebrity no applied his
tools and forced the lock. The heavy
door swung hack. Jlm's eyes glistened
as he saw the numerous cases packed
within. lie opened one after another
and gloatcd on the rare gems within
What haul! Enough 10 set the
whole gang mp for life. Just then q
slight sound mado him start lie look
cd round quickly. No, tho little CIR
was stlll asleep. He began TO pack
the cases IN bis capaclOus bag, wher
another sound made him pause In nj.
work.