The Washington herald., 1907-03-09
HIS DESPERATE REMEDY
BY CECILIA A. LOIZEAUX.

( his coat, whi,h he usually did to please
his wife Mary apparently entirely re-
covered from tie headache she usually
| had after such stormy times. sat opposite
TO him. dainty and pretty in her pale pink
/ house gown. The dinner table was attrac-
/ tive and daintily set and Nora. in a clean
white apron, numbered awkwardly around
the table serving the simple dinner.
John seemed 90 De very nervous He ate
/ little and kept CHANGING fGruvely at his
wife. who was seemingly Indifferent, but
who knew the signs. and thought he was
I about 10 present her with peace Offering.
( She wondered what IL would be
| They had reached the pudding and Nora
( had retired 10 the kitchen when the door
/ bell rang. and John started 20 his feet as
liz he had been expecting some one. He
/ sat down again. however. as he heard
/ Nora's step I'm the han. and in moment
/ she opened the door and Jack Burnet ap-
/ peared in the doorway
/ Come in. Come in" cried John, heart
/ lily, "a triAe too heartily. his vie thought.
/ She wished John would not associate with
this class OF people.
husband. and she was forced 20 echo the
invitation though she felt greatly re-
lieved when the man refused. lie leaned
/ over the back Of "a chair, seeming AT loss
/ how 10 begin. His feet snuhied nervously.
IL Just dropped in he s;ammered.
Fact is. I'm working on case. Can !
see YOU alone. Brent
"Oh. fire away said Brent. My wife
Q i Cd @ mp 81.
wei. some one stole Jim Reade's dia-
mond ring this morning. They got me
working on The case, and I've got 60 90
/ my duty
/ Mary Brent. looking across the table
with "a sudden. lurking fear in her eyes.
+ say Johns hand make "a sudden involun-
/ tary movement toward the breast pocket
/ of has coat She turned white,
/ "Of course. YOU must do your duty,
said John. who is the thief?' He tried
/ to look unconcerned and natural but
something clicked in his Wifes throat
land She was not surprised when the de
tective laid a hand heavily on her hus-
bands shoulder
John Brent, I place you under arrest "a
/ he said. soiemnly; and then. I hate to
/ do it. John.
TN get my hat and come with you,
/ said Brent, rising. Mary
NO. YOU won't" she interrupted. run
ming around the table and standing 81
front of him. Then she stepped back
and put her hand through Johns arm
/ She looked steadily at the detective, heI
/ small face very pale, and her blue eyes
/ flashing.
IF any one has to 90 I VIII. II isn't
/ his fault; it's mine. II made him do fl
/ He told me he couldn't afford it. and
acted like a little beast. and so he did ii
/ TO satisfy me, I suppose. He isn't q
thief, you know he isn't a thief,' she
appealed TO the detective. He stammered
/ But the ring
Take the ring back" she said. and
viii come and explain the whole thing
to Mr.. Reade He wouldn't let you ar
rest John, anyway. II he knew who Il
was. Oh, please gO-give him the ring
/ John, she begged.
] John drew the ring from his pocket and
/ threw it down on the white tablecloth
She picked it up and handed it 10 the
| other man.
/ Il don't ever want to see diamond
I again as long as / live she said, begin
ming to sob. The detective went 10 the
door feeling somehow as if he'd been rob
bling widows and children. He looked
back once as he reached the door, and
then hastily let himself out.
Gee he said TO himself. as he went
up the street: 'itswas a mean trick tc
play, but it did the work. I'll bet that
/ by tomorrow morning that little woman
will be thinking she'd rather darn his
/ socks than make tidies!"
Copyrighted, 1907 by +. c. Parcelil