Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-24

look for porter. His wife started TO
make a rush for the broken piece. but
as she did so a keen eyed man who
was standing near anticipated her.
is that yours. madam" he de
manded.
Mrs. Jeffreys hesitated. Yes" she
said. with gasp.
will you kindly show me the other
part Of it?''
The woman almost tainted. why.
it isn't possible-it-er-it's in my
trunk she 6Dally managed to get out.
II am sorry. madam. but ! must see
the other part of this vase. VIII you
open your trunk"
Mrs. Jeffreys handed him the keys
(which one?'
''This-no that-no. the other one.
Merciful heavens. what shall dog"
And Mrs. Jeffreys sank weeping on
one of her trunks just as her husband
came back with porter.
! What is this? Who are your" he
demanded of the other man. The lat
ter showed him the shield OF a special
officer of the treasury. II must see
the other part of this vase" he re-
Peated to the husband. Mr. Jeffreys.
protesting. gave him his card.
Il would advise you TO make no
scene" the special" told him. There
are lots of reporters about here. and
they would be only too glad of a
chance for a sensational story"
he went away and returned with a
uniformed inspector, not the old man
who had made the previous inspection.
but a younger. Here be told him.
get this woman's declaration and re-
inspect those trunks" The special"
stood by while each article was being
turned out in heap on the pier. He
fingered the dresses and looked at the
declaration. Then he took up several
pieces Of lingerie and exa mined them
closely.
''Ha. not worn! Apparently rubbed
on the floor to give them that appear.
ance. See anything of that broken
vase?''
NO" the inspector replied, ''but I
here is lot of lace" 1t was that be- |
longing to Heloise.
Tell the appraiser in charge to
come here"
The latter was soon bending over |
the pile of 6nery. He looked at each |
garment separately and then put down /
a lot of figures.
"The total is $780,. the special I
informed Mrs. Jedreys. Under the /
law we have a perfect right TO seize |
the contents Of the trunk. but to avoid |
unnecessary notoriety we will permit |
you to pay the duty and take the |
trunks away with you. Wait a mo-
ment; | forgot We have not found |
that broken vase" He turned TO Mrs.
Jeffreys.
Let me go aboard the steamship"
she begged, land will find it for
you"
Il have no objection. madam" be
company you"
Mrs. Jeffreys started back. "Oh. hor.
rors. Neverr' she protested.
"A woman inspector. madam" the
special explained. But Mrs. JEFF
freys still protested vigorously. Mr..
Jeffreys. feeling that the scene had
gone far enough. demanded TO see the
official in charge of the pier
II regret ii. sir" he said. but your
wife will have TO accompany the wo-
man inspector on board the ship and
be searched"
1t is best not to follow the two wo-
men into that stateroom. The in-
spectress came out with a broken
Sevres vase and a whole one and sew
eral pairs OF stockings.
Now. madam" said the special"
I'VE shall not take into account the
new dress and hat you are wearing
Under the circumstances 1 think you
would prefer to have US seize what is
left of the pair of vases. Now. IL
your husband will step to the cash
ier's Office and pay the duty on SI00
worth of goods, less $500 worth al
lowed for yourself and maid. think
the requirements of the law will be-
met"
When they had got into their car
riage Mr.. Jeffreys turned to his wife
sternly.
why did you not do as told you?'
he demanded.
She disregarded his question. "Oh.
the horrible customs laws of this coup-
try. They are enough to make an
American deny that he is such" she
exclaimed.
Yes: that Is just the way a woman
would put it" her husband returned.
ION the other hand. suppose the treas
ury agent had handed us over TO the
newspapers
"Oh. don't: i can't bear itr' She
buried her face In her hands and shud-
dered- "Oh. Gerald. have been pun
ished enough. Just forgive me. and
I'll promise never to buy single thing
in Paris again.
And Mr.. Ienreys. being a tender
hearted man and tolerant OF woman's
little weaknesses and. besides. having
an eye to future economies. promptly
ahaoJved her.
While 1t is often impossible to pre- |
vent an accident, it is never impossi-
BILE to be prepared-it is not beyond {
any ones purse. Invest % cents In |
!. bottle Of Chamberlains Liniment and {