The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1909-08-10
CHAPTER discontinued.

Mary Anne proceeded to tell us
with much circumlocution and attention
to detail, that the previous summer a
famous band of smugglers had car
ried on successful operations under
the very noses of our customs officials
located In the little town just across
the water. and had completely baffled
said officials In their efforts to uphold
law and justice.
She added that a police boat had
recently been assigned to the station
which 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
that a large reward had been offered
for the capture Of the chief offender.
But. law!" finished Mary Anne, ex-
ultantly, "wot good does that do when
e can stay Ugh and dry this side the
border? Wot's Q goin' to the states
fur, I'd like to know, when q can stay
ere, Miss Elise, and waller in d.
'mOnds?"
l admitted that he would be foolish
to thus tempt Providence, and Mary
Anne resumed, thoughtfully pinching
up the skin on her round red arms:
But they're lookin' fur i'm, pore
Teller, and the POLLS is 'ungry fur the
money wot'll 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 clo'es. All, well!
Jairs 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-
knownst to me, l wondered-beggin'
your parding, Miss Elizabeth It
was i'm ear SO much talk about in
the village. Will you be havin' clear
soup agin tonight, miss?"
"As you please, Mary Anne" Eliz-
abeth 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 Benefits
card on the table as though fearing 1t
might explode.
mo, I don't" said Gabrielle, bluntly.
TITS just servants gossip. Don't
think about 1t any more"
OF course after that we talked of
nothing else, and when Lord Wiltrid
and Lady Edith came up that even
ing we told them all about 1t, begin
ming with our experience on the
steamer. Lord Wilfrid disposed OF the
steamer episode in one succinct word
Drunk" he said, with a shrug OF
his shoulders, and really 1t seemed not
improbable, now that 1t was suggested
to us.
Lord Wilfrid appeared In a new
light that evening. he was so talka-
tive and agreeable; he also corrobo-
rated Mary Annes story about the
smugglers, and gave us a good deal If
information on the subject. The vii
lage was quite excited, he said, and
the fishermen who hired sailboats
could talk Of nothing else.
Il confess he said, with his slow
drawl, my sympathies are with the
poor devil Of smuggler. He must
be clever chap, fancy, to be worth
such a large reward"
According to Mary Anne, he can
waller In di'monds,'" remarked Ca
brielle, laughing.
"Ah, indeed" said Lord Wilfrid
"Opulent but uncomfortable, | should
imagine. Well, wish him luck: NAV
he"
Wilfrid. dear" interrupted his SIS
ter. In laughing expostulation, and
you magistrate at home!"
We'll, suppose am" returned
Lord Wilfrid; 1T is my misfortune
not my fault. And I'm sure nv sym.
pathies are nearly always with those
wretched poachers we condemn 90
glibly."
instantly conceived warmer
liking for Lord Wilfrid, for thought
such sentiments worthy Of admiration.
and l could see that Gabrielle and
Elizabeth were likewise impressed. In
deed, now that he had cast aside his
mantle OF sulW silence. he proved