Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1905-08-11

You abominable little wretch" she
sobbed. 81 suppose you've told every
body in the ofice.e
"How could |, ma ann" :.
How could you?" She looked up,
the tears on her fabby,, flushed cheek.
81 didn't know myself. can't
read writing"
IT was thin, but she wanted to be-
lieve 1t.
She could have taken me in her
arms, she was so happy.
There! there." she patted my
shoulder and gave me dollar bill. 81
was bit 'hasty, Nat. It's only IA
little business matter that Mr.. MORT
ways attending to for me- We-we'll
finish il up this afternoon. 1 shouldn't
like Miss Kingdom to know Of 1t, be-
cause-because I-never like to worry
her about business you know. Sc
don't mention it when she comes TO-
morrow"
Nom. Shall | festen' your dress?
] simply had to stay in that room till
] could get rid of those diamonds.
With a faded old blush-the incest
thing about her I'd ever seen-shs
turned her back.
Its dark to-day, ma'am," coaxed
Would you mind coming nearer the
Window"
No, she wouldn't mind. She backed
up to the corner like a gentle little
lamb. While hooked with one hand
] dropped the little bag where the car
pet was still turned up. and with the
toe of my shoe spread it fiat again.
You're real handy for a boy" she
ssjd, pleased.
Thank you, ma'am," | answered
pleased myself. g"
Norway was still watching me-. Of
course, when came out, hut | raI
downstairs. he following close, and
when the major got hold of me, pulled
my pockets inside out like a little man
Norway was there at the time
knew he wasn't convinced. But he
couldn't watch bellboy all day long
and the moment / was sure his eyes
were off me | was ready to get these
diamonds back again.
But not a call came all that after.
noon from the west side of the house
except the call of those pretty. pre-
cious things snug under the carpet
calling, calling to me to come and gel
them and drop bell-boying for good,
At last | couldn't stand II any
longer. There's only one thing to dc
when your chance won't come to you,
that is, to 60 to II. At about foul
O'Clock | lit out, climbed to the second
story and there-Mag. always was
the luckiest girl at the Cruelty. wasn't
|? Well. there was suite 23l all tori
up. plumbers and painters in there
and nothing in the world to prevent
boys skinning through when no one
was watching, out Of the window anC
up the fire-eseape.
Just outside Of Mrs. Kingdoms win.
dow | lay still minute. | had seer
her and Norway 60 out together-sh,
all gay with fnery. he carrying hel
bag. The lace curtains in 33l wert
blowing in the breeze. Cautiously
parted them and looked in. Every
thing was lovely. From where I lay
! reached down and turned back thu
flap Of the carpet 1t was too easy
Those darling diamonds seemed JUS
to leap up into my hand. In a mo
ment | had them tucked away in m,
pants pocket Then down the fire
escape and out through 231 wher,
I told the painter I'd been to get a to!
the boy in AL had dropped out of tn,
window.
But he paid no attention to me. M
one did though ! felt those diamond
shining like an X-ray through my yer,
body. got downstairs and wa
actually outside the door, almost in tn
street and of to you, when a cir
called to me.
Here, boy. carry this case" sh,
said.
Do you know who 1t was? Oh. yes
you do. dear old friend of mine from
Philadelphia a young lady whose tast
well. all right. I'll tell YOU: II wa
the girl with the red coat and the ha
1 with the chinchilla fur.
How did they look? Oh. fairly vel
on blonde! But TO my taste the las
girl I'd seen in the coat and hat wa
handsOmer.
Well. | carried her suitcase and fol
lowed her back into the hotel. didn'
want TO a bit though that coat still
wonder how she got it back!
7 She sailed up the hall and into tn,
elevator and had to follow. We go
of at the third story. and she brough
me right 10 the door of 331. And theI
| knew this must be Evelyn.
Mrs. Kingdoms out. miss. Sh
didn't expect you till tomorrow.
Did she tell you that? Too bal
she isn't at home! She said she'd b.
kept busy all day, to-day with bust
ness matter, and that I'd better no
get here till tomorrow But L"
Wanted to get here in time for tn
wedding suggested softly.
You should have seen her Jump.
Wedding! Not"