Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1915-06-10


That's just It." she said. resolutely.
''she isn't" She welcomed the coming
of Mr.. and Mrs. Blount. which put an
end 10 this intolerable tete-a-tete.
Mrs. Blount spoke TO Lucene with II
half serious playfulness
He's such naughty boy. Has he
been worrying you. dearieT Suddenly
her greedy eyes fell on a bracelet that
the young wife was wearing for the
first time "Oh, what n lovely brace
let" she exclaimed. and now her tones
were wheedlingly soft and sweet. She
placed a hand on the ornament caress-
lngly. but the slender skilled fingers
were busy.
Lucene, however. was In no mood TO
be patient under the mpositions of this
woman. She drew her arm away
quickly.
NO. you shan't have it," she de
clared spiritedly.
why. deariew Mrs. Blount cooed
placatingly, the heavy lids dropping
low over her big. slumbrous eyes. Il
only wanted to-
Lucene was ruthlessly frank.
mo. tell you. You've taken almost
everything | have already"
The husband fairly glared at his wife.
You told me she gave em to your
he Growled bitterly.
And you did. didn't you. dearie?'
the wife persisted, alarmed
But any hope Of help from the girl
as an ally was dissipated on the in
slant
Il did not Lucene exclaimed with
q vehemence rare in her
The cold voice of Andrew sounded
dominant through the room:
Mrs. Blount.
! Al turned 10 face the speaker where
he stood just within the doorway. but
the woman he addressed turned much
more slowly than did the others
/ Blount, nevertheless. made bold to
speak up manfully n behalf of his
erring spouse
"Oh, that'll be an right he declared
with an effort toward assurance
She'll give them back. OF course.
Andrew, however made no answer
( For that matter he was no longer civ
ing attention 10 the woman or her hus
band He was. instead listening 10
the dialogue between Walter and Lu
Gene, for the young man had seized
this opportunity to continue his plead
ing with the girl.
SAY, if you'll do this for me-" he
was urging. I1l never bother You
again. Come on now Won't you?"
NO" was the steadfast answer, 81
will not During the last month you
have made my life miserable by forcing
me TO get money for you from my hus-
band to save you from disgrace, and
incidentally myself But you may
threaten me as much as you like-you
shan't have Helen. No, nor
"Why not, I'd like TO know Walter
demanded blusteringly.
The reply was explicit:
Because you're not fit"
The contemptuous words caused the
thiefs fury TO pass all bounds.
"Oh, amt eh?" he stormed. We'll,
I'd have you know I'm just as nit for
Helen as you are for Wainwright See?
And. IL you don't help me. why. my
fine lady, I'll just
Andrews voice broke off the half
spoken threat.
THAT will do, Walter" he command
ed. "Lucene is right.
The young man protested.
But ! only want to marry Helen.
at is impossible Andrew retorted.
Walter hared again.
$50. that's the game, is it," he sneer
ed. 'wel don't 90 tomorrow the
thief cried wrathfully.
Andrew turned blandly toward
Blount, --------
"When you 60 out will you be SO
good as to send Parker here as your
son Will wish TO give some orders
about his packing BY the way" he
added carelessy. you and Mrs. Blouni
also will be leaving tomorrow. Have
you by any chance an objection &c
maker
Collection? Nor Blount said Wig
orously. Lord. well be tickled e
death to go home"
before the pair had quite reached tho
door the Master Mind called again t
the westerner
"Oh, Blount! And tell Parker alss
to send Mr.. Marshall here
Lucene sank down YEARLY in chair
But Walter approached Andrew az
gressively.
Now. look herer' he exclaimed true
ulently. II don't scare worth a cent,
and I'm advising you that you'd better
go light too. | know thing or two.
He grinned evilly.
Andrew regarded his rebellious tool
with undisgulsed disgust
VERY well, Walter. When Mr. Mar.
shall comes we are going to allow you
to con6de in him at your pleasure"
Jaw. let him GOMEZ Walter declaim.
ed valiantly What do | care for him
Where does he get of, anyhow
Then Andrew replied In a whisper
"Mr. Marshall Is a detective-in the
Pinkerton service
Walter was unable to control a start
and a cigarette fell from fingers that
trembled- Andrew stopped and picked
It up. and as he returned It to the
young man be added In his most sub
servient manner:
Pardon me, sir. Was II my awk
wardness, or are you perhaps a little
, nervous. sirr' Again. he changed his
tone and spoke now as the master
, Mind, turning toward the watching