Rocky Ford enterprise., 1908-12-11
CHAPTER III.-continued.

CHAPTER Iii.-continued.
Mary Anne proceeded TO tell MS.
with much circumlocution and attention
60 detail. that the previous summer
famous band of smugglers had car
rted on successful operations under
The very noses of our customs officials
located In the little town Just across
The water. and had completely bafrled
said officials In their efforts to uphold
law and Justice.
She added that police boat had
recently been assigned to the station,
shich patrolled the shore with flash
ing searchlight. ready to pounce upon
any unwary small craft lurking with
out lights in dark coves or inlets, and
hat large reward had been offered
for the capture OF the chief offender.
But, law" finished Mary Anne. ex.
ritantly, "wot good does that do when
+. can stay Ugh and dry this side the
Border? Wot's 3 goin' to the states
fur, I'd like to know, when g can stay
ere. Miss Elise. and waller in di-
nonds?"
I admitted that he would be foolish
TO thus tempt Providence. and Mary
Anne resumed. thoughtfully pinching
mp the skin on her round red arms:
But they're lookin' fur i'm. pore
tslier. and the POLLS is 'ungry fur the
money wot1l land I'm in Jail. No COM
mon man e Is. they say. but mayhap
one of these ere islanders wot comes
fur the summer. with their steam
Yachts and their fine cloes. All. well.
Iairs no wuss fur i'm than fur the
likes o. us. And seem that the gentle
man to-day was very likely lookin'
and civil spoken. but quite unbe-
snownst to me, | wondered-beggin'
your parding. Miss Elizabeth-if 1t
Was I'm l ear SO much talk about In
the village. VIII you be havin' clear
soup ag'in tonight. MISS
As you please. Mary Anne" Eliz-
sbeth spoke absently. and Joined us
IN the living room with an air of sup
pressed excitement.
DO you think it's possible?" she
inquired. laying Mr. Gordon Bennett's
card on the table ns though fearing 1t
might explode.
No. don't" said Gabrielle. bluntly.
It's Just servants gossip. Don't
think about II any more"
OF course after that We talked OF
aothing else. and when Lord Wiltrid
and Lady Edith came up that even.
ing We told them all about II. begin.
ming with our experience on the
steamer. Lord Wilfrid disposed ci the
steamer episode in one succinct word
Drunk" he said. with a shrus of
his shoulders. and really It seemed not
improbable. now that Il was suggested
% us.
Lord WiIfrid appeared in new
light that evening, he was SO talka.
i've and agreeable: he also corrobo.
rated Mary AInc's story about the
smugglers. and gave us n good deal OF
Information on the subject Th= vii
lage was quite excited. he said and
he fishermen who hired sailbJats
could talk OF nothing else.
Il confess" he said, with his slow
drawl, my sympathies are with the
poor devil OF smuggler. He must
bs a clever chap. fancy. to be worth
such a large reward"
According 10 Mary Anne. he car
waller In drmonds.'" remarked Ga
Drielle, laughing
"Ah. indeed" said Lord WiIfrid
"Opulent but uncomfortable. sboulC
imagine. Well. | wish him luck: may
he"
'"wiIfrid, dear. interrupted his sis
er, in laughing expostulation. Ru,
YOU n magistrate at home!"
We'll. suppose ! am" returned
Lord WIlfrid: 1T is my misfortune
not my fault And I'm sure my sym
pathies are nearly always with thos,
Wretched poachers We condemn 5,
xlIbIy."
instantly conceived warrne
liking for Lord Wilfrid. for ] though
such sentiments worthy Of admiration
and I could see that Gabrielle an
elizabeth were likewise impressed. lr
Iced, now that he had cast aside hi
mantle OF sulkv silence. he prove,