Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-08-23

come back. Mir. Tausig, to receive your apology, but you can hardly expect me to go to lunch after this,'
 He groWled a wrathful, resenting mouthful. But he 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 I, and she re- ported that no paper of any kind had she found.
 Me? Oh, I 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 Carters in the shade; for you'd never have been success in-in other businesses might name.
 Bamboozled the woman? Not a bit of it; you cant deceive women with mouths and eyes like that. It was just that I'd had a flash of genius in the minute I 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-Id stopped down, pretending to kiss that cherub good-Dy, and in a jiffy I'd pinned that pr cious paper with safety pin to the baby's under petticoat preferring that risk to-
 Risk! I should say it was And now it 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-cursing half-placating-I stood chatting sweet ly with the woman who had searched me.
 didn't know just how far I might go with her. She knew the paper wasn't on me, and could see she was disposed to believe I was as nice as she'd have liked me to 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.
 Well, 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 go 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. r.-- -- .trsn,-.D
 q didn't have any!" I exclaimed. "Why, I certainly"
 You certainly had no purse. for I should have seen it and searched it if you had"
 Now, what do you think of a woman like that?
 Nancy Olden," I said to myself, more in sorrow than in anger, you've met your match right here. When a woman knows a fact and states it with such quiet conviction. without the least unnecessary emphasis and not a super fiuous word, ware that woman. There's only one game to play to let you hang round here a bit longer and find out what's become of the baby. Play it."
 looked at her with respect; it was both real and feigned.
 "Of course, you must be right" said, humbly. "I know you wouldn't be likely to make mistake, but, just to convince me, do you mind letting me go back to look?''
 Not at all." she said, placidly. ''If I go with you there's no reason why you should not look"
 Oh, Mag, it was hard lines looking. Why?-Why, because the place was so bare and so small. There were so few things to move and it took such short time. in spite of all could do and pretend to do. that was in despair.
 You must be right" I said at length, looking woefully up at her
 Yes; I knew was, she said, stead- fly
 q must have lost it."
 Yes"
 There was no hope there. turned to go.
 "I'lI lend you a nickel 10 get home. If 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 al the balance of her, Mag. My best acting hadn't shaken her. She hadn't that fatal curiosity to un- derstand motives that vrecks SO many who deal with-we1l call them the temporarily unstraight. She vas satis- fled just not 10 let me get ahead of her in the least particular But she wasn't mean. and she would lend me nickel not an emotionaiIy extravagant ten-cent piece. but just a nickel-On the chance that was what I seemed to be.
 Oh. I did admire Ee5. t-: I'd have been more enthusiastic about it if [ could have seen my way clear 10 the baby and the paper.
 ItO0k the nickel and thanked her. but effusiyeness Jeff her unmoyed 4 wholesome. blue-gOwned rock with a neat. fulI-bibBed white apron. that's what she vsst
 And still I Fingered. Fancy Narce Oidsn just hsaTtbrOken st being com .--rr-a .z rz-.-- - -.-rs-- -..ts.-s