Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-10-07

gulneaS.
That's right" assented Raffies.
''That'd be dead cheap, l allow. but
then, my boy, you got ready cash, and
don't you forget it,
do not dwell upon my own mystifi-
cation in all this. l merely pause to
state that / was keenly enjoying that
very element. Nothing could have been
more typical of Ratfies and the past.
1t was only my own attitude that was
changed.
1t appeared that the mythical lady,
my sister, had just become engaged to
Ra1fies, who seemed an anxiety to pin
her down with gifts of price. 1 could
not quite gather whose gift to whom
was the diamond ring, but il had evil
IDENTIFY been paid for, and l voyaged to
the moon, wondering when and how
j was recalled TO this planet by a del
uge of gems from the jewelers. bag
They lay alight in their cases like the
electric lamps above. We all three put
our heads together over them, myself
without the slightest clew as TO what
was coming. but not unprepared for
violent crime. One does not do eight
cen months for nothing.
Fright away" Raffies was saying
"We1l choose for her, and you'll
change anything she don't like. Is that
the idea?"
THAT was my suggestion, sir"
"Then come on, Ezra. l guess you
know Sadie's taste. You help me
choose"
And we chOse-Lord, What did we
not choose? There was her ring. Il
L hn1 . nj
there was no attempt to get IL for 800.
Then there was diamond necklet-
200 guineas-but pounds accepted.
That was to he the gift of the bride
groom. The wedding was evidently
imminent. 1t behooved me to play Il
brotherIy part. l therefore rose to the
occasion, calculated she would like
diamond star GIG. but reckOned ii
was more than / could afford, and
sustained vicious kick under the
table for either verb. was afraid
to open my mouth on finally obtaining
the star for the round hundred. And
then the fat fell in the fire, for pay
we could not. though Il remittance
(Said RaffiesJ was overdue from Nco
York"
But l don't know you, gentlemen"
the jcwcler exclaimed. Il haven't even
the name Of your hotel.'
Il told you we was stoppin with
friends said Raffics. who was not
angry, though thwarted and crushed.
but that's right, sir! oh. that's dead
right. and I'm the last man to ask to
take quixotic risks. I'm tryin' to fig
urc way out Yes. sir, that's what
I'm tryin To do
Il wish you could, sir" the jeweler
said, with feeling. ut isn't as if we
hadn't seen the color of your money,
but certain rules l am sworn TO OBJ
Serve 1t isn't as if | was in bust |
ness for myself. and-you say you |
start for Paris in the morning.
ION the . n. IN. train" unused |
Rallies, land I've heard no end yarns |
about the joolers' stores in Parrus. But
that amt fair. Don't you take no no
tice o that. I'm tryin' to figure way
out. Yes, sir!''
lie was smoking cigarettes out of a
twenty-five box. The tradesman and
had cigars. Raffles sat frowning with
Il pregnant eye. and it was only too
clear TO me that his plans had mis-
carried. / could not help thinking
however. that they deserved to do SO
IL he had counted upon buying credit
for all but f40O by "A single payment
of some 10 per cent. That again
seemed unworthy of Raffles, and l,
for my part, still sat prepared to spring
any moment at our visitors throat
we could mail you the money from
ParruS," drawled Rallies ut length,
''but should we know you'd hold up
your end of the string and mail us the
same articles we've selected tonight?"
The visitor stiffened in his CHAIR.
The name of his firm should be sufIi-
cient guarantee for that.
Il guess I'm no better acquainted
with their name than they are with
mine" remarked Ratfles. laughing
See here. though, / got a scheme
You pack 'em in this
He turned the cigarettes out of the
tin box while the jeweler and Joined
wondering eyes.
Pack 'em in this" repeated Raffies. |
1.-THE three things we want, and never !
mind the boxes. You can pack 'em in |
cotton WOOL Then We'll ring for string |
and sealin' wax, seal up the lot right |
here. and you can take 'em away in
your grip. Within three days We'll |
have our remittance and mail you the |
money, and you'll mail us this darned |
box with my seal unbroken, Its no |
use you lookin' SO sick. Mr.. Jooler. |
You won't trust us any. and yet were |
goin' to trust you some. Ring the bell. |
Ezra, and Wen see if they've got any /
sealin' wax and string
They had. and the thing was done.
The tradesman did not like it, The
precaution was absolutely unneces-
sary, but since he was taking all his |
goods away with him. the sold with
the unsold, his sentimental objections
soon fell to the ground. He packed |
necklet. ring and stas with his own
hands in cotton wool and the cigarette |