Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1914-09-03
Copyright. 1913. by The H. X. Fly Company

overwhelmingly, the mysterious dis
appearance Of some article Of value.
Yes, it's most extraordinary" said
Mrs. Carr. II was showing it to Joan
in this room only a few moments ago,
and she tells ne that she showed it
to you"
Nonsense" snapped Mr.. 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 a diamond bracelet"
"A diamond bracelet, ma'amv' ex-
claimed Nell. with becoming awe "Oh,
DEAR"
But you took it out With you, didn't
you, mother?" put in Mr.. Carr. "And
you haven't been in here since, so it
must be in some other part Of the
house,
ri look all over, ma'am," volunteer
ed Nell. Perhaps you dropped it on the
stairs. III search very thoroughly"
Yes, do. l hope you'll find it"
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 a chance to get away.
"William," said Mrs. Carr when they
were alone. Il hate to suggest it, but
are you sure you haven't taken it,"
Mr.. Carr frowned and began to go
th1.o11uh hic rocI-otc ;r,;tohlr
Mother. how could r. he began.
Then, with Il shamed face, he slowly
drew the bracelet from his pocket.
"William!" cried Mrs Carr reproach
fully.
well, now, how did that get into my
perplexity.
"William," intoned Mrs. Carr SOL
EMMY 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 a great deal Of
money, for it was Mrs. Cars wedding
present to her daughter. and the moth
er had not spared her own or her hus-
bands pocketbook in procuring the
best she could get. William Carr gazed
at it obviously.
for years" he protested into her ear
trumpet
She shook her head and sat down by
the table in sad thought for a second
or two. Then:
William. l wish you would realize
what IL dreadful thing it would be for
Madge if James should find out about
your aftliction. He would think you
We're az
"A thief! A thief" spluttered VIII
liam Carr, more violently than it was
his wont to speak. go on. say it
Any one who knows me knows better.
They know that when I take things l
always put them back-if I don't for
get it. It's observation-disclosures. mother.
| just can't help it."
Il know, dear-I know. But do be
careful" she answered as she laid the
bracelet on the table. please be care
full for Madge's sake"
"lll be careful. mother. I'll be care
full"
She got up and went to the book
case. where she selected q volume she
wanted. 1t occupied her perhaps two
minutes. In that time William Carr
picked up the bracelet, looked at it a
moment, as if examining its workman
ship. and then calmly put it into his
pocket.
He had just hidden the bracelet
when his wife came back to the table.
book in hand. and looked about anx-
iously:
why. where is it," she exclaimed.
THE bracelet! I laid it on the table
ii moment ago."
Here it u.s." said William Carr, with
Il queer smile, and he took the article
from his pocket and put it on the table.
william" cried Mrs. Carr reprov-
ingly as she turned over the leaves Of
her book to assure herself she had the
one she wanted.
Mr.. Carr. still smiling. did not reply.
but he quietly picked up his wife's ear
trumpet and the bracelet from the Ia
BILE and placed them on another book
which CHANGED to be close to the
door of the closet in which Jack Doc
gan was hidden. Then the old gentle
man walked back to the table with his
hands up. to show that they were
empty.
"Madge wants you. Mrs. Carr said
DR.. Willoughby, coming in hastily.
"Oh. yes, thank you. DOCTOR" re-
sponded Mrs. Carr graciously. Come
along, William"
DR.. Willoughby ran quickly to the
telephone and called Central" with a
sharp "Hello!"
The door of the closet opened and
Doogan's hand reached out to the top