Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-07-26
DAILY SHORT STORY
HALF LOAF FOR A FORTUNE.
fOriginall

These she DeQueathed 10 ner auOpteN
daughter Mabel. but the drawing of
the viii had been faulty, and the tes-
tator's nephew, Archibald Longwell.
who without a Will would have been
her sole heir-at-law. considered him
self entitled TO the property. His weak
point was that the jewels were in Ma
bells possession. His lawyers had adj
viSed him. that since possession was
nine points of the law the first thing
TO do was to secure the property.
One evening the late Miss Longwelrs
manservant. Tom Clarkenwell, the
only servant she kept. was in the kitch-
en- securing the knives and polishing
the silver Mabel, who had done the
cooking, was also there making some
bread.
Miss Mabel said Tom Clarkenwell,
''the old woman was GURUS, wasn't
she?"
You mean Miss honeywell Yes. She
was singular, but she was very good
woman"
Il hear she left all her property in
dfmon's."
In precious stones"
Where did she keep 'em-in the
bank:"
The question was asked in a halting
way that indicated self consciousness.
Miss Mabel's suspicious were aroused.
"No She kept them in a stocking"
And where did she keep the stock
ing?''
Tied around her waist under the
skirt of her dress"
Laws a-mercy! What queer place!
She can't keep EN- there now since
she's dead"
NO. / have them in charge now"
Tom did not think it prudent TO ask
any more questions, and Miss Mabel
didn't enliGhten him further. She put
the dough she had been kneading into
pan and left it 10 rise. She then went
upstairs TO bed, but not 10 sleep. She
was suspicious Of Toms interest in her
aunt's property. There was an unused
fireplace in the sitting room with an
iron ornamental front Mabel had
taken out this front and stuffed the
jewels up the chimney. While she was
lying awake she saw a light in the hall
through crack in the door. Jumping
out of bed, she was just in time to see
Tom going in his stocking feet TO the
floor above. She listened TO him hunt
ing through the rooms till she heard
iron scrape on stone and knew he was
removing an iron fire front. She felt
sure that if he did the same on the
ground floor he would find the treas
ure. Slipping downstairs, she entered
the kitchen, and, seeing the dough she
had kneaded, it occurred 10 her to put
her fortune in il. Gliding noiselessly
into the sitting room, she secured the
jewels and buried them in the dough,
getting upstairs and into her room be-
fore Tom came down. When he did so
he searched the second floor and after
that the first, not emitting the fireplace.
In the morning Tom was not so
chatty as usual, and Mabel did not say
anything to indicate that she had heard
him moving in the night. At 10 o'clock
she was about TO start for the office of
the late Miss LOngwelrs lawyer TO ask
his advice about a safe place for the
jewels when she saw Tom go out be-
fore her. She kept behind him, his
way lying the same as hers. Presently
he turned into a building in which she
knew Archibald LOngwell had an of
| fee. Che hurried on and was just in
| time to see Tom go into LOngwelfs
Office. Toms interest in the jewels
was explained. He was acting for the
| heir-at-Iaw.
Tom Clarkenwell reported to his en-
| plOyer that he could not find the jew
| els, and LOngwell changed his plans.
| He decided upon proposing a settlement
of the question between himself and
ToI I1v ~, of This
was carrying out a plan that had been
proposed by Miss Longwell and de-
clined by the nephew. Indeed, he had
never failed to snub his aunt's protegee
! when an opportunity occurred.
In the afternoon a note came from
| LOngwen to Mabel with his PROPOSE
| ton. Mabel had been TO her aunts at
| torney, and he had agreed 10 call for
| the diamonds after Office hours that
evening. keep them in his safe over
| night and place them with a safe de-
! post company tie next morning. Mabel
| wrote a reply to LOngwell. inviting him
to take tea with her that evening.
| When Longwell read this invitation
he considered the game won. 1t was
plain the girl was inclined to accept
him, but it might not be necessary for
him to marry her Once in her conf
dence he might secure possession of the
property.
Mr.. Longwell called at the hour ap-
| pointed, and Mabel invited him into the
tea room. He attempted a lovers de-
| meanor. but was somewhat chilled by
the lady's GOODNESS. She enterta ined him
rather with dainty eatabIes than with
| words. While they were at tea the
door bell rang. and Dom, who went 10
| the door. announced the attorney.
| by the bye. Mr.. LongweIl." said
/ Mabel. i want you 10 taste some bread
/ OF my own making" Taking up a loaf
| beside her. she cut il through the mid
die. revealing an old stocking This
/ goes to the gentleman in the other
! room" she said. opening the stocking
sufficiently 10 reveal few of the jew
/ els il contained. AS for the bread
! I'll divide il with you. Half loaf is