Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1917-02-02

You poor old widOwer-y0u q q
little widow for q child. You'll never
lose me now"
That did not satisfy him either.
20, yes. I WILL" he answered.
'Your smiles will come back and some
day n handsome man"
"Hush." she said. and put her fin
ger across his lips. "Don't say IT,"
1t seemed treachery Of the basest
sort to discuss such a topic. She bent
her head in apology TO the memory OF
her lover. Her downcast eyes caught
n sparkle In the depth of her fathers
waistcoat pocket. She knew that II
was the ring he had taken from her.
He had not yet put IL In the safe or
thrown Ii into the river.
Gloria was startled. Her lips parted
to speak the demand she had come
to make. But her father was staring
into the fire with such a contented
look that she could not bear to start
such a scene as he would be sure to
make. He was a great man for get
ting what he wanted and for keeping
II, once Ii was got.
The diamond blinked ut her and
seemed to say "Steal me. He took
me by force; take me back by stealth.
l belong to you"
Gloria had had no previous expert
ence as a ~pickpocket. but she under
stood how exciting the profession must
be. Her father was an unsuspecting
and an easy victim. She had only TO
lay her cheek against his as a blind
fold and while her hair got into his
eyes md made him squirm she cap
tured the ring. She was afraid at once
that ne would miss II. speak OF It.
reach for il, and find 1t gone She
dared not linger.
"Go back TO your cards. you old
darling" she said. kissed him half a
dozen good-nights and left.
She ran up to her room and set the
ring In place again on her finger. She
rejoiced In Ii II moment. Then her
heart sunk. Her father would not
tolerate n combination OF disobedience
and robbery. The main thing was to
keep the ring. She put II In a little
chain and fastened Ii about her neck.
And there she wore II until-until her
quest was ended and she had learned
the truth. Much time and many adj
ventures lay between this night and
that day.
Her father went back to his soli-
taire and did not miss the ring for
hours. Then he raised n mighty poth-
sr. He had the old butler On all
tours looking everywhere for the ring.
He even had the ashes in the fireplace
sifted. He suspected everybody but
Gloria She was asleep in a loneliness
hat was somewhat assuaged by her
idelity and her mission.
The next morning Gloria set about
her task with an analytical mind. She
read in the morning paper that Frank
Mulry. the partner Of the late Rich
ard Freneau. had decided to incorpor-
ate the firm under the name of Frank
Mulry, Inc. Ii made her angry to
think Of this bu~sinesslike haste. But
she realized that, after all. she knew
nothing OF Mulry and that he must
know n great Zeal about her poor
Freneau. He was the first man to
visit. She was happy In this deter
mination. Her brother David dropped
In to say: "Lois and I had d little mis-
understanding. but we have made up.
We're going to the country house for
a new honeymoon. Come along, you
two, and have some skating and ski
ing and toboggan work"
Gloria shook her head. She had 9TH
er work to do. Her father urged her
to make the change Of scene. She
said she would think 1t over, but she
did nCs intend to 60, as she planned
to spend her wits on Frank Mulry. As
s0on as she could get rid of her father
and brother she ordered her own o
out for the long voyage downtown.
Frank Mulry was not mt his Office
when she arrived. He had been sum-
moned 3 Doctor Royce's Office by tel
ephone. Thinking that Royce prob
ably wanted a tip on the market. and
eager always for q new customer.
Mulry lost no time In obeylng the sum-
mons. He found Royce In a grim hui
NOR and not at all polite.
"Mr. Mulry." Royce began. every
word as sharp rs a surgeons knife,
"you know more about Richard Fren-
eau's affairs than you would like to
tell In the open court. Miss Stafford
u suspicious Of everybody who ever