The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1914-09-17

! He ~methodically closed the book
snapped the rubber band around 1t,
and returned it to his pocket, while
Jessie stared at him in blank amaze
ment.
That" Mr.. Flint pursued, his eyes
crinkliGg in a smile, is what Mr.. Ru.
dolph Van Vechten told me at a time
when ! honestly believed you to be q
crook"
After reciting the circumstances. he
went on:
You see, I hadn't Mr.. Van Vecht-
ems faith. | had never seen you. and
appearances were al against you. ]
might say, the odds were against the
correctness Of his estimate-in which
case ! meant to show him these
words"
Jessie was breathing fast; her eyes
were very bright and their regard was
very steady.
And if you had been wrong?" she
asked.
The creases at the n OF Mr.
flnL eyes deepeneu.
why. | felt that he would need a
champion, and | determined to bring
the memorandum to you. You know
now. that from the very first, at least
n POISON has retained a firm belief
in the innocence and purity of your
motives"
The two in the bay window could
see the color rush to Jessie's cheeks;
she blushed furiously.
Have you" she said falteringly,
shown this toto him."
"He doesn't even know that | pos
sess such a thing"
The girls eyes were dewy. He,
voice lowered.
Then" said she, this is your way
Of telling me that all your doubts are
removed. Thank you"
well" returned the impassive de.
t~ective. that's one way Of looking a,
the matter. If Mr.. Rudolph's iudg
ment had been in error, I would Just
as freely have shown the reminder to
him. Here he now"
Van Vechten came eagerly forward
and took the girls hands into his. Mr..
Flint slipped u~nobtrusively away.
"Jessie-Jessie Willard" said Van
Vechten, eve do not have to wait the
week: am more eager now than ever
I understand everything, dearest"
Very deliberately she disengaged
her hands, looking at him desperately
TRULY" she said with an evident
effort at sarcasm. You seem indeed
to be very sure OF yourself"
He caught her hands again, and as
her head dropped, drew her toward
him.
Sure of myself" he exclaimed
why, God bless my scni. YES: It's
all up 10 you, gin. What was
that"
1t was Paige Carew trv'ag-vainly
to break loose FROM Tom Phinney's
ecstatic bear-like hug. Swinging her
clear from the floor and between the
curtains. they stood confronting the
dumfounded gaze Of the other two.
"Looky here, Rudy" said Tom
MIR. Wizards got a yacht or his
hands that he has no use for What.
ever; what's the matter with the four
of us
THE very thing" Van Vechten de-
~cisively interrupted, looking intently
at Jessie Willard. Jessie averted her
gaze, and her color mounted again.
And listen here Tom went on Gag.
erly. She's all ready to put to sea-
steam's up this minute-supplies ali
on board crews drawing pay for loaf
ing-why. Moses and green spec
tacles, it would be an outrage not to
take advantage of such an %opportuni-
ty! What do you Think"
What otherwise could Paige and
/ Jessie think? Here was an argu.
ment that even a woman could not
successfully oppose. And so, the next
day, the Kohinur weighed anchor,
dropped down the river. and by sun
set had lost the Statue OF Liberty be.
hind her.
THE END.
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