The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-09-23
ssTHE SMUGGLER''a5

theirs-why should we not be
lieve you? Only why did you
get IL this way? You had only
to tell us you wanted it,"
You hear?" she said, standing
tall and erect, her eyes on a Level
with Mr.. Blake's as she looked a,
him, ignoring his outstretched
hand. MY word against yours
and they believe me-me!"
II should regret to use force
he repeated. THE box, IL you
please"
"Stop!" said Gabrielle quickly
Lady Edith, may ] take the boxl
Thank you. Surely 1T is a simple
matter for YOU to satisfy this man
Let US open it and prove him
wrong once for ell"
She unwrapped the first layer
of paper, then paused uncertainty
Tell me they are yours" she
said in q queer, choked voice
your mothers pearls-and will
believe you. Only look at me and
tell me So"
The great brown eyes looked
into Gabrielle's clear hazel ones
steadily for minute perhaps,
then faltered; the long lashes
dropped upon her cheek. and she
turned aside, speechless-self-
confessed a thief.
nahrfol1a xuffh gfnt iot
was almost a sob, handed the boz
to Mr.. Blake. He bowed gravely
removed the cover, and Mrs
Bundy's famous emeralds gilt
tered in their bed of jewelers.
cotton.
Surely" said Gordon Bennett
there is no use in prolonging
this scene"
None whatever" agreed Mr.
Blake, making a sign to the Off
GERS who held the man l ever
now think of as Lord Wilfrid.
II arrest YOU" said the officer
'for the murder of Harry Gra-
ham,"
Something flashed in the light
and we heard a sharp click, &C
companied by a suppressed scream
from Mary Anne.
Not that" she cried. Don't
put the 'andcuffs on 'im."
BE quiet" her son said
Don't you see the game is up?'
She did not heed him, bat
stood before the officers with
raised hand and a certain dignity
of carriage which commanded at.
tention in spite of her gingham
apron and round, red face.
Aye" she said; ''the murder
of Mr.. Graham. e done it-'e
struck the blowout why? Ask
the woman beside i'm, 'er with
the soft 'ands and the yellow air
Ask 'er why he done it. Amt
she is wife? Amt Q lived and
breathed and worked for 'er ever
sence the evil day he fust seen
FER? Wot did she marry i'm fur?
She didn't love him"
The man made a sudden mo-
tion, but the officer laid a re-
straining hand upon his arm, and
Mary Anne continued, pouring
out the words in a steady stream
which admitted of no Interrupt
ton.
"She wanted somebody to dc
FER dirty work, that's why she
married i'm, and tired enough OF
i'm she got, fur all the gold key
she gave i'm an the cuff button
which l thought I'd die when
seen 1t in yer 'ands, Miss Elise.
Was there a stormy night she
didn't send i'm out on the ocean
wi a boatload fur the other side,
carin' not a bit whether he ever
come back or not? Did She care
fur anything but 'erself?
Don't l know 'ow fur years,
ever sence she fust seen i'm, she's
made that pore dead man work
fur 'er? An honest man e was,
too, at fust, with a wife and
child, but wot did she care?"
"Will some one stop the wom-
am" said Mr.. Blake helplessly;
but Mary Anne had more to say,
and went close to her daughter
in-law, addressing her directly.
when you sent fur Graham
this summer" she said, you
made a plan, you two, SOS you