The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-06-19

II didn't discover 1t myself"
she told him. II was at Bar Har-
bor."
oh" said Taylor. "You were
away. l see! Who did find OUT!
my sister. 1t was she who
missed them"
Taylor looked thoughtful, and
then asked quickly: II wonder IL
you'd mind telephoning your sis
ter to come down here now?"
"Why, she came with me,
Miss Cartwright returned. She's
outside"
That's fine" he said brightly.
He pushed the buzzer. Perhaps
she'll be able to help u.s."
He looked up as Peter came in.
Ask Miss Cartwright's sister to
come in for a moment. Tell her
Miss Ethel wants her."
In a very few minutes Amy
Cartwright was brought into the
deputy-surveyor's room by Peter.
She was a pretty girl not more
than IS, and like her sister,
You wanted me, Ethel?" she
asked.
Yes, DEAR" the elder returned
Amy, this is Mr.. Taylor, who
thinks he may be able to get back
my diamonds for me-"
Amy Cartwright shot quick,
almost furtive look at Taylor and
then gripped her sisters arm.
Your diamonds!" she cried.
Yes" her sister said. "Yon
must answer all MI. Taylor's
questions"
Taylor looked at Amy magiste-
rally. How did you discover
your sisters jewels were stolen?"
why" she replied nervously,
not meeting his eye, 81 went to
her dressing table one morning
and they weren't there"
oh" he exclaimed meaning
ly. 80 they weren't there! Then
what did you do?"
why, | telephoned to the
company she insured them in"
There's one other point" he
said, turning to the elder sister.
You received the compensation
money from the company, didn't
your"
Naturally" she said tran
GULLY.
please don't think me imper-
tinent," he said, "but you still
have it intact, | presume?"
"Only part" the girl returned.
Il gave half of it to my sister,
81 rather thought you might
have done that" he said. That
was generous, Miss Cartwright.
But you realize of course that II
get your jewels back the money
must be returned to the burglar
insurance people in full'-he
looked significantly at the shrink
ing younger girl-"from both of
you"
Amy Cartwright clasped her
hands nervously. "Oh, l couldn't
do that" she exclaimed.
/ Ethel turned to her in aston
ishment. But Amy, why not?"
Il haven't got it all now"
But, dear, what did you do
with it," Ethel persisted.
II paid a lot of bills" the
girl stammered.
paid a lot of bills!" her sister
exclaimed. But. Amy, you dis
tinctly told me-"
lone minute" Taylor inter-
rupted, and then looked angrily
up to see who had entered his
office unbidden. 1t was Duncan.
1.-The collector and the secre-
tary want to see you right away,
SIR he announced.
"Oh, very WE'LL" his superior
snapped. IL shall have to ask you
ladies to excuse me for five min
utes."
Certainly" Ethel Cartwright
returned.
When both men had gone from
the room Amy chung half-hyster-
ically to her strong, calm sister.
Ethel, your jewels weren't
stolen" There was pause as If
the girl we're trying to gather
courage enough to confess. Il
took them. l pawned them"
Amy" cried the other.
Your"
Il had to have money. took
them. A woman told me could
get it by pretending to the COM
pany the things were stolen. She
said they'd never find it out and
would pay. l tried it, and they
paid"
Miss Cartwright looked down at
her, amazed, indignant, Mortified.
why, why? Why did you do
lit? Tell me quickly, why?"
Am dropped her head. II lost
a lot of none playing auction
bridge"
Playing with whom" Ethel
demanded sharply.
people you don't know" the
younger answered evasively. 1T
was while you were away. | lost
thousand dollars"
TELL me what happened them"
Ethel asked in low tone.
II couldn't pay, of course, and
the other woman said they'd have
to ask mother or you for the
money and II you wouldn't pay II
should have to go to jail. / didn't
know what to do. / nearly went
out of my head, think. At first
1 thought of killing myself, but l
was afraid. And then / saw your
jewel case and l pretended they
were stolen. I got half. the money
from the pawn shop and the other |
half from you when the company
settled. 1t was wicked of me,
Ethel, but what could l do?"
Ethel put her arm about the
poor sobbing girl very tenderly.
ut will be all right" Ethel as
sured ner. But neither mother
nor l have the money IL the
burglar insurance people want to