Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1914-08-13

one-fourth. The latter was what YOU
would get from a "fence"-if you were
lucky and put up Il strong enough bluff.
Before Nell had finished her estimate
OF Caroline Carr's worth to the per-
son who could tilch her personal outfit
she had put down the suit case to
take a sweeping glance at the room.
AS the door closed she became sud
denly active. She ran swiftly over to the
table, then to IA book closet, which she
opened and shut swiftly. bent for an
instant over a large steel safe neal
the table and tried the handle-only to
lind it securely locked. and. after lis
teiling q moment. Went to each of the
doors in the room and listened again.
Somebody coming." She murmured.
We'll, let them come"
Hello" suddenly blurted out Mr..
Carr. waiting to see some one?"
Yes. sir. | am waiting to see Mrs,
Carr"
Eth? Well, I'm Mrs. Carr's husband.
What did you want to see her about?"
Ills speech was jerky, and he seemed
to be embarrassed, as il this were an
unusual situation and therefore rather
too much for him.
Mrs. Carr engaged me yesterday as
lady's maid to your daughter" said
Nell.
oh. yes-the lady's maid. L remem-
Der. She told me. But I'd forgotten.
Does she know you're here?"
"\IicS Caroline hos rn-a - --
her"
Inform her? Eth? On. yes. Then
III tell her you've come"
lie trotted to the door by which his
daughter had disappeared a few mo-
ments before, as if glad to escape, but
as ne opened the door he ran plump
into Caroline, who was entering.
Hello, father. Where are you go
ing? | didn't know you were home"
Didn't know well. but 1 am home,
amt II" He looked about as if to as
sure himself. OF course I'm home.
Madge's wedding day, you know. |
was down in Pearl street, busy in my
office, when some one reminded me,
and | came right up. Yes. of course
Pm here"
Caroline turned to Nell, who stood
demurely in the background. her suit
case on the floor beside her.
Mother will see Won in a moment
Nellie.''
Very well, Miss Caroline"
We'll. Caroline. as you've seen
mother about the lady's maid l needn't
go to her" remarked Mr.. Carr. "Need
II"
why, no.. father. Why should you?"
He reflected on this for a few sec
onds ere he responded: That's so, my
dear. Why should l? But wait a mo-
ment, Caroline, I've something to show
you"
What is it,"
Mr.. Carr fumbled in all his pockets.
his face a study in alternate hopes,
fears and hopes again. AT last q slow
smile crept over his countenance. and
be brought out q small packet tied up
In white paper. 1t looked very much
like the n be had shown the detec-
tive and Douglas Jamison at the Grand
Central. He held 1t up before the eyes
Of Caroline and smiled broader than
before. Nell as we'll as Caroline was
gazing steadfastly at the packet.
He opened the paper and revealed a
jewelers. box. from which he took a
magnificent ruby ring. Nell gave a
gasp, but the other two were occupied
in looking at the ring and did not zeal
her.
my, what a beauty" thought Nell.
Jack and could furnish half our fat
with that"
81 bought this for Madge," said MI.
Carr. observing With pleasure that Car
ollne was gazing ut the ring %rapturous-
ly. Its a pigeon blood ruby. Do you
think Madge will like it,"
Like it." almost screamed Caroline.
why. father. ii is simply scrump-
tious!"
She's right thought Nell.
1T ought to be-" observed Mr.. Carr.
1T cost enough"
He threw the paper that had inwrap-
D@d the packet into the w;stebasket.
Then he placed the rilG in the box,
closed 1T and put it in the pocket Of his
Light H%7efCont. M'4itA ae laid on a chair
near the table. Nell watched these Cd
erations steadily, and yet whenever
Caroline happened to glance in the
lady's maids direction the gray eyes
were always cast down at the carpet,
and Nell seemed to be patiently wait
ing without seeing anything around
her.
Il know 1t must have cost an awful
lot" said Caroline.
"Yes. But now iook here, Caroline.
Not a word Of this to any one. I want
1t to come as a great surprise"
Il won't say a word. father. Madge
has the most beautiful wedding pres
ents. There's a diamond bracelet"
Nells eyes glistened under their long
lashes.
IA br~acelet?' said Mr.. Carr. WHO
from?"
tMnfh0p A-l &h-.a -