Barton County democrat., 1905-09-29

theyd seen lOt dn0 ledfneu uOt W
finch. though they still felt like II. II
knew that kind Of look-I'd seen II at
the Cruelty.
What an unpleasant Job this Of
yours is" said to her smiling up at
her for all the world as that tike ~
baby had smiled at me and watching
her melt just as had. I'll not make
II a bit harder This things all a
mistake. Which way? I'll
come back, Mr.. Tausig, to receive your
apology, but you can hardly expect me
10 &c tc lunch after this
he growled q wrathful. resenting
moutbful. But be looked bit puzzled
Just the same.
He looked more puzzled yet, even
bewildered, when we came back into
the main Office quarter OF an hour
later, the woman and ], and she re-
ported that no paper Of any kind had
she found.
Me? Oh, was sweet amiability per-
sOnified with the woman and with the
sergeant who began TO back water
furiously. But with Tausig-
What? You don't mean to say you're
not on, Mag? Oh, dear, dear, it's well
you had that beautiful wig Of red hair
that puts even Carter's in the shade;
, for you'd never have been success
in-in other businesses might name
Bamboozled the woman? Not bit
of il; you can't deceive women with
mouths and eyes like that II was just
that I'd had fash Of genius in the
minute ] heard Tausig's voice, and in
spite of my being so sure he wouldn't
have me arrested I'd Guess, Mag,
guess! There was only one way.
The baby, of course! In the mo
ment ] haO-it wasn't lOng-Td stopped
down, pretending to kiss that cherub
goodOy, and in jiffy I'd pinned that
precious paper with safety pin TO
the baby's under petticoat, pre.erring
that risk to
Risk! snonld say II was. And
now il was up to Nance TO make good.
While Tausig insisted and explained
and expostulated and at last walked
out with the sergeant-giving me a
queer last look that was half-cuTsing,
half-placating-l stood chatting sweet
ly with the woman who had searched
me
] didn't know Just how far ] might
20 with her She knew the paper
wasn't on me, and could see she was
disposed to believe ! was as nice as
shed have liked me 10 be. But she d
had lot of experience and she knew.
as most women do even without expe-
rience. that If there's not always fire
where there is smoke, it's because
somebody's been clever enough and
quick enough to cover the blaze.
We'll good-by." ! said, putting out
my hand Its been disagreeable, but
I'm obliged TO you for-why. where's
my purse! We must have left it"
And ] turned TO 20 back into the room
where I'd undressed.
"You didn't have any"
The words came clear and cold and
positive Her tone was like an icicle
down my back.
81 didn't have any!" exclaimed
"Why, certainly"
You certainly had no purse. for
should have seen il and searched il II
you had"
Now, what do you think Of a woman
like that?
Nancy 0lden," ] said 70 myself,
more in sorrow than in anger, you've
met your match right here When a
woman knows a fact and states il with
such quiet conviction, without the least
unnecessary emphasis ana not super
huous word, ware that woman. There's
only one game to PLAY 10 let you hang
round here bit longer and find out
what's become of the baby. Play it,"
| ] looked az her with respect; il was
kotI ,o,1 o,d F,g,,n,J
"0f course you must be right" /
said, humbly 81 know you wouldn't
be likely to make a mistake, but, just
to convince me, do you mind letting
me 90 back to lOok?'
mot at all, she said, placidly. IF
] 20 with you there's no reason why
you should not look"
Oh. Mag, il was hard lines looking.
Wby?-Why, because the place was
so bare and so small. There were 80
few things to move and it took such a
short time, in spite of all could do and
pretend to do. that ! was in despair.
You must be right, said al length,
looking woefully up at her
Yes; knew was. she said, stead
lily.
81 must have lost IT,"
Yes"
There was no hope there. turned
to go
"I'll lend you nickel TO get home, II
you'll leave me your address" she said
after a moment
Oh. that admirable woman She ought
TO be ruling empires instead Of search
ing thieves Look at the balance Of her
Mag. NV best acting hadn't shaken her.
She hadn't that fatal curiosity to un-
derstand motives that wrecks so many
who deal with-we'll call them the
temporarily unstraight She was salts
fed Just not to let me get ahead Of her
in the least particular. But she wasn't
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