Omaha daily bee., 1915-04-25

WV ~f"~fS0~e - ~ FN1NNN'
The cluts
was running his finger This IL Mrs.
Dodge, isn't it7" he asked, pointing with
his pencil to the entry with the address
following Il. There seemed to be no
name OF a shipper.
Yea" she replied. obviously, but I
don't understand II. Wait Just a mo-
ment."
She went 10 the library door. ''Mr. Ken
nedy," she said. may trouble you and
Mr.. Jameson a moment?"
We followed her into the ball. and
there stood gazing at the mysterious gift,
while she related it's recent history.
why not set It UP In the library7"
| suggested. seeing that the expressmen
were getting FESTIVE at the delay. "If
there Is any mistake they will send for
II soon. No one ever gets anything for
nothing"
Aunt Josephine turned to the express
men and nodded. With the aid of Jen-
nings they carried the vase into the
| library, and there il was uncrated, while
Kennedy continued TO question the man
with the book, without eliciting any
further Information than that he thought
It had been reconsigned from another ex-
press company He knew nothing more
than that II had been placed on his
wagon. properly marked and prepaid.
When Kennedy rejoined us the vase
had been completely uncrated. Aunt
Josephine signed for II. and grumbling a
bit. the expressmen left There we stood.
nonpulused by the curious gift.
Craig walked around the vase, looking
at II critically. l had a feeling of being
watched, one of those sensations which
psychologists tell us are utterly baseless
and unfounded. I was glad l had not
said anything about Il when he tapped
the vase with his cane. then stuck the
can down the long. narrow neck. working
II around as well as he could. The neck
was so long and 80 narrow. however, that
his stick could not fully explore the In
side of the vase, but It seemed to me to
be quite empty.
We'll, there's nothing In It. anyhow"
ventured
had spoken too soon. Kennedy with
drew his cane. and on the ferrule, adher-
ing as though by some sticky substance.
was a note. Kennedy pulled 1t off and
unfolded It. while We gathered about
him.
Maybe it's from Elaine" cried Aunt
Josephine, grasping at a straw.
We read:
Dear Aunt Josephine:
This Is token that / am unframed.
man at the corner OF Williams and
Brownlee avenues at midnight tonight
and they will surrender me TO him,
T. s.-Haye hin, come alone or my life
Will he In danger.
We looked at each other In amAzement.
II thought something like this would
happen" remarked Craig at length.
oh" cried Aunt Josephine. ITS too
good 10 oe true"
We'll do IT," exclaimed Kennedy
quickly. "only this is the ring that wen
give them"
Ho drow from his pocket the replica
of the ring which he had made and
showed II to Aunt Josephine. Then he
drew from another pocket the real ring. |
replacing the replica.
Here's the real one" he said in a low
tone, Guard Il as you would guard your
life"
She took the ring. almost fearfully. II
seemed as II nothing but misfortune had
followed II. still, she realized that II
was necessary that she should take care
of II. II the plan was to work.
And, oh, Mr.. Kennedy" she implored,
as we rose to go. please get back my
little girl for me"
Craig clasped her hand. "I'u try my
best" he replied fervently. pattlng her
shoulder to cheer her up. as she sank
into a chair.
Aunt Josephine was worn out with the
sleepless nights OF worry since Elaine's
disappearance. After we had gone, she
tried to eat dinner. but found that she
had no appetite.
All the evening she sat IN the library,
with book at which she stared. though
she scarcely read a page. However as
the hours heightened. she found herself
nodding through sheer exhaustion.
II was getting late and her thoughts
were still on Elaine. At the desk in the
library she was examining the curious
ring. which she had taken from her
jewel case. thinking OF the terrible train
Of events that had followed IT,
Although she had intended 70 slt up
until she received some word from Ken
needy that night. the long strain had told
on her and in spite OF her worry about
Elaine. she decided. az length. 20 retire.
She replaced the ring In the easr. locked
the case, and turned out the lights
Good night. Jennings" she said, as
she passed the faithful old butler In the
ham.
Good night, ma'am," he replied. paus-
ms on his rounds 70 see that the doors
ans windows were locked.
Aunt josephine. elGsping the Jewel case