Putnam patriot., 1914-10-16

that forf" he asked in diSgusted tone.
 "So they'd find it and stop looking for it. I'll stick around here. Jack. but you beat it-quickw
 And leave you to take a chance? Not on your lifel Not me. Now, don't get pauicky, Nell We're bound to have luck now that we're going to turn straight Remember, this is to be our last trick
 You really mean that. Jack. don't youg said the girl anxiously.
 T gave you my word, didn't Ir' he returned. And say. whats the mat ters Don't you think I love you:'
 "Yes, Jack. l believe that
 And you're going to marry me, ain't your
 Yes. Jack
 Well. that's why I'm going to turn straight" he said emphatieally.
 But will you stay straight, JackTi
 You bet l wilt Say. look here. Nell Everybody in the world has got an ambition. Yon're mine. honey. Here. Eve got something to show you." he went on as he took q folded paper from his inside pocket Its our mar, riage license Wen be Splired this evening. and then the straight and narrow for ours evermore But we've got to get bank roll to make an hon est start with. ain't we?"
 He kissed the girl affectionately and added in n brisk tone: Come on, Nell. let's clean up Whats lOose?"
 ''N eiding presents and the family silver" was her answer.
 Family silver aint enough to make an honest start with, was his briet eictHm Have you got the combina ton of this =
 He was pointing to the safe.
 No. Jack. I've only been here twen. ty minutes.
 "I'n turn it inside out in less than that time he declared confidently There's getaway front and back, isn't there?'
 Look out. Jrck! There's somebody coming" warned the girl eagerly "Quiek. get in that eToset!'
 Mrs Carr and her husband came in. They were talking earnestly and con corning tue same kind of thing that had occupied the attention of the household namely. the mysterious dis appearance of some article of value
 Yes, it's most extraordinary said Mrs. Carr "l was showing it to Joan in this room only a few moments ago, and she tells me that she showed it to you
 "NonSenser snapped Mir. Carr
 Did you find the ring. ma'am?' ask ed Nell
 "Oh. yes replied Mrs. Carr shortly. We found the ring, but now we've lost diamond bracelet
 "A diamond bracelet. ma'am" ex- claimed Nell with becoming awe. "Oh, dearr'
 But you took it out with you, didn't you, mother?" put in Mir. Carr. And you haven't been in here since, so it must be in some other part of the house"
 I'll look all over. ma'am." volunteer ed Nell. Perhaps you dropped it on the stairs. I'll search very thoroughly"
 Yes, do. hope you1l find 1t
 Nell bowed and went out, ostensibly to look on the staircase. but really in the hope that Mrs. Carr would follow with her husband and give Jack Doc gan chance to get away.
 "Wiliam." said Mrs. Carr when they were alone T hate to suggest it, but are you sure you haven't taken it?'
 to through his pockets irrtably
 "Mother. how could I''- he began Then. with a shamed face. he slowly drew the bracelet from his pocket
 "Willam," cried Mrs. Carr reproach- fully
 Well, now how did that get into my pocket?" said Mir Carr in a tone of perpleXity.
 william" intoned Mrs. Carr sol emnly as she took the bracelet from him. you've gone back to taking things again.
 The bracelet was an extremely beau tiful one and had cost great deal of money. for it was Mrs. Carr's wedding present to her daughter, and the moth CT had not spared her own or her hus- bands pocketbook In procuring the best she could get. William Carr gazed at 1t dubiously.
 "Mother. l haven't taken anything for years" he protested into her ear trumpet
 She shook her head and sat down by the table in sad thought for second or two Then
 "William, l wish you would realize what dreadful thing 1t would be for Madge if James should find out about your afiliction. He would think you were a.
 "A thief. A thiefr' spluttered Will liam Carr, more violently than it was his wont to speak Co on. say it Any one who knows me knows better They know that when l take things always pHt them haek-if 1 don't for get it. It's absentmindedness mother just can't hep it.
 q know, dear-I know. But do be careful" she answered as she iaid the bracelet on the table Please by care ful for Madge's sake"
 I'll be careful. mother. I'll be care full"
 She got up and went to the book case. where she selected volume she wanted It occupied her perhaps two minutes In that time William Carr picked up the bracelet, looked it it moment. as if examining it's workman ship, and then calmly put it into his