Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1908-11-26

in-law's wrath. All night he was tor
mented by dreadful dreams, In which
sponge bags played leading parts and
necklace of millstones hung about
his neck
But the newspaper by his plate at
breakfast brought him the first easy
moment he had known for weeks, for
In prominent place he read this ad-
vertisement
$1,000 REWARD
The above reward will be paid, and no
questions asked. for the return of the
| necklace taken on the night of January
10. from the residence of II. G. Bridges,
TO that address. or TO so broadway.
mo questions asked" The phrase
shone from the page rosy with the
light of hope Laura was amazed at
the change In her husbands appear
ance when she came tripping down to
| breakfast.
There, dearest!" she exclaimed IT
knew that tonic was just what you
| needed. You look even better than you
did before our marriage"
Il have certainly found wonderful
relief" said Bobby, solemnly.
Mr.. Bridges sat In his private office,
immersed In a pile of correspondence,
when the glazed door opened sudden
ly and his son-in-law walked in with
breezy Good morning, father"
Hove you heard about the neck
lace?" was almost the first question
asked of the young man after the pre-
liminary greeting.
Agnes has told us" was the answer.
But you are Offering too large re-
ward-$1. $50 will bring it,"
Mr.. Bridges swung around In his
swivel-chair In amazement
What do you know about it," he
said. What do you mean?"
Just what / say" Tunstall coolly
replied. Its little secret-but it's
1 all In the family. Write me a check
to bearer for $3.50, and | guarantee
that the necklace shall be produced
and save you $1,750!"
Still wondering, the broker com
piled, but with such an expression of
inquiry that when Bobby had pocket
ed the check, he proceeded, in a
| graver manner than his father-in-law
had ever known him to assume to
make the mutely demanded explana-
| ton, having assured himself that the
| door was securely closed
Thought possessed of an ample In
come" he said, Il have always spent
1t as II came-and not infrequently
before IL came. | was during such a
state or temporary lack of funds that
l was introduced to your household
| assure you most sincerely that | had
no idea at that time of Tarleton 8
feelings toward Laura, and certainly
had no intention of becoming his rival
and II was therefore without compunc-
ton that l accepted from him q loan
sufficient to enable me to maintain a
proper appearance In the social circle
In which you move"
soft whistle was the father-in-
laws only comment
We'll" continued Tunstall when
Jack found that Laura preferred me
he turn ed rusty, dunned me for the
debt, which now aggregates $3.50,
and even at my bachelor dinner limited
that | might be served with legal
process on my honeymoon. That was
one reason for concealing our where
abouts, and II was that threat hang
Ing over me-together with an oppor-
tunity that Fate Itself must have Gre
ated-that induced me TO take tempo
rary charge of my wife's ornaments.
which l now feel much pleasure In
transferring to you. l need hardly
say that for the sake of the reputa-
ton OF the family and the feelings of
your daughter, It would be well not
to tell how you have recovered 1t, es-
pecially to my wife"
What Is that about your wife?"
inquired Laura. entering the office un-
announced.
Il was merely saying that you would
be delighted to know that your father
has recovered your necklace" said
Bobby, with great presence of mind.
"Oh, how lovelyl" exclaimed
Laura, as her husband held IL up.
You know / scarcely got look at 1t
on our wedding day. But don't go,
Bobby" she added, as he turned to
leave. Il came In to ask papa to
turn the management OF my affairs
over to you-just wait while he has
the papers made out"
You might charge that $3.50 TO
the dowry," whispered Bobby to his