The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1902-08-28

| property at all. IL got II In London
Mr.. Merritt looked up with involun-
tary admiration.
| you don't mean to say as you nicked
| it," he asked. 'well, Welt"
| Chris bent her head lever TO conceal
| her agitation. Her shoulders were
heaving, but not with emotion. The
warmth of Merritt's agitation had
moved her to silent laughter, and she
had made the exact impression that she
| desired.
81 have telegraphed to the lady. who
| lie more or less a friend OF mine" she
said. IT have urged her to take no
| further steps in the matter. fancy
| that she is a good and kind girl and
that-but reply might come at any
| time"
There was a reply on the way now.
| as Chris knew perfect WELL The
whole thing had been carefully ar
ranged and planned to the moment by
| Steel and others.
II dare say they'll let you down
| easy" Merritt SAID. Si-Ho lsJ'ately.
"aE; i.'ll be hot for me. rvs copied It
! too many times before you see
YES, see." Chris sai1. thought
fully. "Mr. Merritt, I've made ~ my
mind; II had not-er--borrowed that
star, e would not have been lost, and
! you would not have founi II, and there
would have been no trouble. My con-
| science would not rest If allowed YOU
! to be dragged back into he old life
| again. am going to save you'll am
! going to tell the police that you pawred
| that star for me at my Instigatlon."
Merritt was touched, even 20 tears.
There was not an atom of chivllry in
the rascal's composition. lie haG little
or no heed for the trouble that his ccm-
panion appeared TO be piling up for her
self. but he was touched 10 the depths
of his soul. Here was u clever Girl
who. in her own way. appeared to be
! member of his profession. who was
prepared to sacrifice herself to save
another. Self-sacrifce Is a beautiful
and tender thing. and Merritt had no
Intention OF thwarting IL.
do that, and I'm vorr pal f9r life"
he said, huskily. "And l never went
back on a pal yet. Ask anybody who
really knows mo. 'Tain't as II you
weren't one OF Us. neither. I'd give a
trifie to know what your little game Is
here, eh?"
Chris smiled, meaningly. Merritt's
delus!on was distinctly to be fostcred.
You shall help me, then, prsseatly,"
she said, in a mysterious whisper.
Help me, and keep your own counsel.
and there will be the biggest Job you
ever had In your life. Only let lou and
i get out OF this mess, and we shall see
what we shall see presently"
Merritt looked speeches. admiration.
He had read of this class Of high toned
criminal sin, the gutter stories peddied
by certain publishers, but he had never
hoped to meet ore in the fiesh. He was
still gazlng, open-mouthed, at Chris. as
two men came along the avenue They
were boin in plain clothes. bur the.
had policemen" writ large ell over
them.
"cops, for a million!" Merritt CUR.
gled, wish a pallid face. You can tell
'em when you're asleep. And they are
after me: they're coming this way. tin
be all right presently"
IT hope So" Chris said. with q curling
lip. "You look guilty enough now"
Merritt explained that II was merely
the first emotion. and would pass off
presently. Nor did he boast In vain.
He was quite cool as the officers came
up and called him by rame.
That's me-" Merritt said. What's
the .troubler'
One Of the oficers explained. He had
no warrant, he said, but, all the same,
ne would have to trouble Mr.. Merritt
to accompany him TO Moreton Wells.
A diamond star, not yet definitely iden-
tiled. had been handed over to the po-
lice. the same having been pawned by
James Merritt.
That's quite right" Merritt said,
cheerfully. II pawned II for this young
lady here-Miss Lee. OF course. IL II Is
not her property"
The officers were pslpably taken
sback. He knew more than he cared TO
say. The star had been pledged by
Merritt, as he cheerfully admitted, but
the owner OF the star had lost the gem
in London. under suspicious circum-
stances. in which Miss Lee was mixed
UP. At present II was not the policy Of
the police to arrest Miss Lee. That
would come later.
st am afraid that there has been a
misrepresentation altogether" Chris
said. ALLOW me to explain: Mr.. Mer-
rift. would you step aside for a mo-
ment7 / have to speak Of private mat
tiers? Thank you. Now, sir, am quite
pledged does not belong to me, but to
Miss Henson, whom I met in London.
took the star by mistake. You may
smile, but have one very like IL. IL
Miss Henson had searched her jewels
properly she would have found that she
had my star-that had hers. i heard
of the business quite by accident, and
telegraphed to Miss Henson to look
searchingly among her jewels. She has
large amount. and might easily have
overlooked the star. Here Is a boy
with telegram. Will you take 1t
from him and read IL aloud? It is ad-
dressed to me. you will and"
1t was signed ENID Henson" II went
on to say that the sender was fearfully
sorry for all the trouble she had caused.
but that she had found Miss Lees star
with her jewels. Also. she had tele-
graphed at snce TO the police at More
ton Wells to go no farther.
Looks like q mistake" the officer
rnuttered. 'But II we get that tele-
gram"
which has reached the police sta
ton by his time" Chris interrupted.
"Come into the castle and ask the ques-
ton over the telephone. suppose you
are connected"