Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1916-12-07
\ paul's -,
christmas Gift
qah Some Clever Detec-
tive Work
a., cLARIssA MAckIH

W.. ~ America in search of a for
he he sailed home again with the
certainty in a phosphate
wv De arrived in New York on
Xmas eve, and as soon as he had
"a ouarters at hotel and made
..stu toilet he took a taxicab and
y . the Bartram's home on Fifth
NV "a rromised Linda Bartram that
would come to her at Christmas
..r-vith the fortune that her ia
y, 'es,stpd he must possess before he
$ hone to win lovely Linda, who
w some day be mistress of much
So Paul had taken Linda's
n;se had given Mr.. Bartram his
! not TO communicate with the girl
y, heart and had gone away. He
v,thout close family relations
..., and, although he occasionally
mo New York papers, he had not
suv news that prepared him for
hlov he was about to receive.
rhs avenue was it's gayest and
.,htest on this cold afternoon. The
y windows were brilliant, the side
.Rs we're crowded with Christmas
Ouers, and there was a steady
nam of vehicles passing to and fro.
p,u continually glanced from the
,dow hoping for a sight of Linda's
Dving face, but his wish was I'M
,Hded. He leaped up the steps Of
! stately home and pushed the but
impetuously.
Japanese opened the door.
Mrs. Bartram?" asked Paul eagerly.
ybe butler shook his head. "No such
ne, sir" he said.
Paul looked again at the number.
Surely this is Mr.. Bartram's house, "
repeated.
III may perhaps have been SO, sir, !"
Billed the man. 1T is now the resi-
nee Of DERRICK Jones'"
Ms there any one here who can tell
about the people who lived here be-
nT
There Is a housekeeper who has
Zen In the house many years. If you
hi come inside I will question her.
Paul entered a reception hall that
S entirely unfamiliar In a few min
s gray haired woman attired in a
t silk gown approached:
Mr. Wakely" she exclaimed.
We'll, Mrs. Smith! | am glad to see
me one who can give me news of the
lmily' he said warmly.
Haven't you heard, Mr.. Wakely?"
Nothing at ALL hope there isn't
news" he said quickly.
Not very good news. Mr.. Bartram
ed six months ago, and all the money
Phshed into nothing, sir Mrs. Bar
an and Miss Linda were left penni-
Mrs. Bartram lived only three
onths, and then Miss Linda was left
one Some of the relatives offered
a home, but she was too independ-
ior that. Although she had never
en trained for any special business,
has found work Of some kind. She
written me that she is earning q
ns' and this very day she sent me a
nfstmas gift-this pretty brooch.
AFRAID that she needed the money
other things, Mr.. Wakely. yet she
always SO generous"
raul was thoughtful. "Was her let.
dated from New York ?' he asked.
Yes, SIR"
linen l shall find her in some way
you lend me your brooch. Mrs
nihr
certainly. Mr.. Wakely. Perhaps II
y fought in one of the department
aes-i hardly think Miss Linda
Palu patrpnize the jewelers. nowadays
was Gear of her to remember tina,
ametnyst was my birthstone too
sue was always so thoughtful"
VIII bring the brooch back to you
smith, and tell you all l hea,
~ MISS Linda" he said as he shook
a sus with her before leaving.
oae must eat Christmas dinner w,tt
h., ae said to himself firmly.
a ~. ne went into a jewelers. and
,m, the amethyst brooch for the
h. m mn of a supercilious clerk
N.Y. smiled and returned it to him.
~ mdeed; We do not carry that
na, VI goods at ALL" he said in q
HAM, a'u tone. ut looks as though 1,
M Ss' nave nave been bought in a depart
knnm s you. That is what l wanted
IcssS S' said Paul gravely. Then he
h. Nv to shock the clerk still fur
keat W, purchasing diamond ring OF
II ., . a,ue and paying for it from 8
|Dan s,lsp bills of large denomination
larcb ana store! By Jove, a Ions
b n % au may be a blind one. but ri
|pan, .irst I'll try Labler's."
efore ba ee Labler's and many other.
i amat, iound shop that identified
| stool 'ny Is, brooch as coming from
Oocbes a., mere We're other amethyst
Ppght on ,us ;. IKE that one, and Pau
be the bou VI the exact pattern as the
he asto oause e, had loaned him.
bupte, ' IS the clerk at the iewelr,