Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-08-28


else. You see. the star was not my
Mr.. Merritt looked up with involun-
tary admiration.
You don't mean to say as you nicked
ito" he asked. We'll, well!"
Chris bent her head lever to conceal
her agitation. Her shoulders We're
heaving, but not with emotion. The
warmth of Merritt's agitation had
moved her to silent laughter. and sh"
had made the exact impression that she
desired.
II have telegrarhed to the lady. who
is more or less a friend of NINE" she
said. II 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 reply on the way now,
as Chris knew perfect y we'll. The
whole thing had been carefully ar
ranged and planned to the moment by
Steel and others.
II dare say they'll let you Gown
easy" Merritt sad. ,:i-.o ,s1'a:"ly:
":": i.'n be hot for me. w, copied it
Eyes. I see." Chris said. thought
fully. MIR. Merritt. I've made ~ my
mind: if 1 had Eot-er--borrowed that
star. It would not have been lost. and
you would not have foun1 it, and there
would have been no trouble. My con-
science would not res: If allowed Eoli
to be dragged back into he old life
again. I am going to save Nou-I am
going to tell the police th;.t YOU l.awned
that star for me at my instigation.'
Merritt was touched, even 20 tears.
There was not an atom Of chiv1lry in
the rascal's composition. IL, had little
or no heed for the trouble that his ccm-
panion appeared to be l,;lins up for !"r-
self. but he was touched TO the depths
of hi: soul. Here was :, clever sim
who, in her own way, appeared to be
member of his profession. who was
prepared to sacrifice hersalf to save
another. Self-sacriice is beautiful
and tender thing. and Merritt had no
intention of thwarting It.
do that. and I'm voGr pal for life'"
he said. huskily. "And 1 never went
back on a pal yet Ask Anybody who
really knows mo. 'Tain't as if you
weren't one of US, neither III give
trifle to know what your little game is
here, eh?"
Chris smiled, meaningly. Marritts
delusion was distinctly to be fostcred.
You shall help me. then, presently"
she said, in a mysterious whisper.
Help me, and keep your own counsel.
ever had in your life. Only let ION and
l get out of this mess, ana 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 re'ltiled
by certain publishers, but he had never
hoped to meet one in the flesh. lie was
still gazing. open-mouthca. at Chris. as
two me-, came along tina avenue. They
were bo.n in plain clothes. but the!
had policemen" writ large all over
them.
Cops, for Million" Merritt CUR
gled, With a pallid face. you can tell
EN- When you're asleep. And they are
after me; they're coming this way. I'm
be all right presently"
"I hope So" Chris said. with a curling
lip You look guilty enough now
Merritt explained that it was merely
the first emotion. and would pass OF:
presently. Nor did he boast in vain.
He was quite cool as the officers came
up and called him by name.
That's me-" Merritt said. whats
the trouble?"
One of the officers explained. He had
no warrant, he said, but, all the same,
he would have to trouble Mr.. Merritt
70 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,
cheerfuly. II pawned it for this young
lady here-Miss Lee. OF course, if it is
not her property
The officers were palpably taken
aback. 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 it was not the policy of
the police to arrest Miss Lee. That
would come later.
II am afraid that there has been
misrepresentation altOgether, Chris
said. ALLOW me to explain: Mr.. Mer-
rift, would you step aside for mo-
ment? 1 have to speak of private mat
ters? Thank you. Now, sir, 1 am quite
prepared to admit that the ornament
pledged does not belong to me, but to
Miss Henson. whom I met in London.
I took the star by mistake. You may
smile, but have one very like it. If
Miss Henson had searched her jewels
properly she would have found that she
had my star-that I had hers. I heard
of the business quite by accident, and
tclegraphed to Miss Henson to look
searchingly among her jewels. She has
large amount, and might easily have
overlooked the star. Here is boy
with a telegram. Will you take it
from him and read it aloud? 1t is adj
dressed to me, you will find"
1t was signed Enid Henson;" 1t went
on to say that the sender was fearfully
sorry for all the trouble she had caused,
hut that she had found Miss Lees star
with her Jewels. Also, she had tele-
eraphed at once to the police at More
ton Wells to go no farther.
Looks like mistake" the officer
rauttered. But IL we get that tele-