The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1905-08-26

sergeant down and was whispering in
his ear. ! knew what that meant, 1t
meant a special pull and a special way
Of doing things and
You'll do well, my girl, to give I'D
Mr.. Tausig's property to him." the ser.
geant said. stiffly
But what have got that belongs to
him?" demanded.
lie grinned aid shrugged his big
shoulders.
We've way of finding out, you
know, here. Give It up or"
But what does he say I've taken?
What charge is there against meq
Have you the right to search any
woman who walks in here? And what
In the world would want a paper
of Tausig's for?"
you won't give 1t up them" He
tapped bell
A woman came In I had bad
minute there, but it didn't last; it
wasn't the matron I'd brought the
baby to.
You'll take this girl into the other
room and search her thoroughly. The
thing we're looking for" The ser.
geant turned to Tausig
"A small paper" he said. eagerly
IA contract-iust a single sheet of
legal cap paper 1t was. typewriter
and signed by myself and some other
gentlemen, and folded twice"
4
a bit hard mouthed. with iron-gray
hair, but her eyes looked as though
they'd seen lot and learned not To
finch, though they still felt like it. /
knew that kind Of look I'D seen it at
the Cruelty.
What an unpleasant Job this of
yours is" said to her, smiling lip at
her for all the world as that tike or a
baby had smiled at me. and watching
her melt Just as had "Ill not make
It bit harder. This things all a
mistake. Which way? ri
come back. Mr.. Tausig. to receive your
apology, but you can hardly expect me
to 50 TO lunch after this"
He growled a wrathful. resenting
monthfnl. But he looked bit puzzled
just the same.
He looked more puzzled yet, even
oewiidered 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, 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 Carriers in the shade;
for you'd never have been a success
in--in other businesses | might name.
Bamboozled the woman? Not bit
of It; you can't deceive women with
mouths and eyes like that 1t 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 | haa--lt wasn't long-Pd stopped
down, pretending to kiss that cherub
good.oy, and in a iiffy I'd pinned that
precious paper with safety pin to
the baby's under petticoat, preferring
that risk to-
Risk should say 1T was And
now 1t was UP to Nance to make good.
While Tausg insisted and explained
and expostnlated and at last walked
out with the sergeant giving me a
queer last look that was half-cursing.
half -placating-I stood chatting sweet
~ with the woman who had searched
me.
didn't know just how far might
80 with her. She knew the paper
wasn't on me-, and could see she was
disposed to believe | was as nice as
she'd have liked me to be. But she'd
had lot Of experience and she knew
yas most women do even without expe.
rience, that II 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 It's been disagreeable, but
I'm obliged to you for why, where's
my purse. We must have left it,"
Ana turned to go back into the room
where l'dundressed.
You didn't have any"
The words came clear and cold and
positive. Her tone was like an icicle
down my back.
Il didn't have any!" exclaimed
Why, | certainly"
you certainly had no purse. for ]
should have seen it and searched it IL
you had"
Now, what do you think Of woman
like that?
Nancy Olden," said 10 myself
more In sorrow than In anger, you've
met Your match right hefe When a
woman knows a fact and states 1t with
such quiet conviction, without the least
unnecessary emphasis and not super.
nuous 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 i'll"
looked at her with respect it was