The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1908-12-05

force upon the Aforesaid straw hat.
OF course its owner promptly looked
up, and equally Of course we precipi.
lately retreated.
DO you think he saw u.s." gasped
Elizabeth and ! simultaneously as the
doorbell rang; but Gabrielle had ned
to the hall, whore we heard her whis-
pering hoarsely TO Mary Anne over
the banister.
We also heard that invaluable facto-
tum's assurance that the ladies had
just gone to the village, and a polite
expression Of regret. accompanied by
a promise to call again.
We stole again to the window as our
visitors retreated, and saw them
pause, examine my side comb, and
calmly drop IL in Gabrielle's bag,
which had not been left with Nary
Anne, as, Of course. it sk~alA 2Avs
been.
AT this rate. Bennett said laugh.
ing voice, you'll soon be able to open
junkshop. But I must say, old
chap, we were very neatly snubbed
Wherefore?'
L.
but mean to find out, for I'm coming
again very soon. l assure you, Blake.
the picture doesn't begin"
The rest OF the sentence was lost
as the two men disappeared around
the corner We straightway held a
council OF war.
Il suppose" said Elizabeth, "he ha.
lucid intervals and his attendant
humors him, but this is no reason why
we should be victimized. Let US eau
ton Mary Anne"
So we descended in . body to the
kitchen and solemnly warned Mary
Anne that the day she admitted our
late visitor We would Immediately
part company. She in turn solemnly
assured us that II he crossed the
threshold II would be over her dead
body. so we felt somewhat comforted.
Elizabeth picked up the cards and
looked at them.
Mr. John Clinton Blake" she read
aloud. and Mr. Gordon Bennett"
The card dropped from her hand
and she collapsed into the wood box
What's the matter now" de-
manded Gabrielle fishing her friend
out of its capacious depths.
Gordon Bennett" said Elizabeth,
"is the man who knows father, and
who owns the island"
We stared at each other in incredu-
lous silence. then sank down upon
Mary Anne's immaculate floor and
laughed until we were exhausted.
Il feel sure" said Elizabeth, when
she could articulate, that it Is not
the same man. This is some i'm.
postor."
'Mayhap." suggested Mary Anne.
who had been an interested listener
''mayhap. miss. 'e's smuggler."
Mary Anne had not long left the
mother country, and her manipulation
OF the letter h was as agreeable to our
American ears as Lady Edith's fault
less enunciation. Just now she was
regarding us with the manner Of one
who possesses unimparted informa-
ton.
It's quite lawful, miss" she re
sumed. dropping her voice to a whis-
per, "and it do give body the creeps.
SO 1t do. But they say the smuggling
wot goes on 'ereabout is most hextaor-
dinary."
Smuggling" repeated Gabrielle.
Yes. miss; taking things in over
the border without the duty-which I
do say is sin and a shame to ave
to pay, SO 1t is
TT is perfectly right to pay it,
Mary Anne. Everybody should obey
the laws OF country"
So spoke the generals daughter.
but she carefully avoided looking at
us, for we all intended investing heavi-
ly in furs before our return and get
ting them in without cost.
Yes, miss" replied Mary Anne.
without enthusiasm, and Gabrielle in.
Quired in rather a mufiled voice what
the miscreants smuggled.
'Oh. most hanything that comes
andy. miss. Fur. cloth, gloves. hum
brellas. preshus jools-mostly di.
'monds. The feller they're lookin' fur
deals in di'monds. Quite the gentle
men e is, too. so I've card"
(TO BE CONTINUED)