Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-09-21

COIHpelleu 10 make thorough search,
not only Of your luggage but Of your
self as well, Mrs. Merrilees."
"Quoin!'' Mrs. Merrilees appealed.
The investigator shook his head.
cts too bad; but I really don't see
what's to be done about it. These peo-
pie have the power to make things
mighty unpleasant for you unless"
"What, you too?" she Kissed, with
vast dramatic expression.
"No, mol" Quoin protested hastily.
"Don't misunderstood me. I'm only
afraid that unless the necklace shows
up, you'll have to submits
"Very well !" With a shrug Of de-
f1ance, Mrs. Merrilees showed Quoin
an ungracious back. To the deputy
she added with blighting disdain, go
ahead. And while you're finding moth
Ing in my trunks you may as we'll send
for female inspector to search me.
But every one of you will suffer for
this-or I'll know the reason why"
"Tm sorry, madam"
But there wasn't much uneaSinesS
betrayed in the deputy collectors man.
ner as he signed to the inspector to do
his hateful duty.
The three friends Of Mrs. Merrilees,
on the other hand, were acutely uncom-
fortable-Quoin in disgrace, Peter
Trait firmly convinced that the deputy
was right and consequently afraid to
meet Betty's eyes, and Lydia not only
sore distressed with misgivings, but re-
PEELED by Betty's attitude.
And this was the phase Of the affair
disclosed to Craven when he hustled
up, dglow with satisfaction.
"Hello, people! I'm all clear. Had
the deuce of time-the silly ass want
ed to rock me for buds I brought In as
ong ago as 1908; but WHAT'S the
row."
This last was in a tone radically
changed, and at the same instant his
hancee decided to acknowledge him on
probation, however rigidly she might
elect to deny the rest of humanity. So
she unbent enough to beckon him with
nod; and Craven hurried on to get
his answer from the one most con-
cerned.
After q brief conference he turned
back to Lydia and Peter. n bad bust.
ness!" he doubted III al undertOne,
wagging his head. "Bettys played the
game straight as die this trip; but
nothing on earth will make these peo-
pie believe that, after the way she's
carried on in the past. Looks like an
all-day session-no good your sticking
round: nothing either of you can do.
QuOin and / will stand by Betty; but
you'd better cut along. You won't mind
dropping Lydia at the Great Eastern
hotel, Peter?"
"No-I won't precisely what you
might call mind" Peter declared,
Frightening.
Il engaged rooms by wireless yester-
day. It'll take a day or two, you know,
to readjust my diggings to receive a
daughter. Now clear out-like good
childrenw
Lydia babe hurried farewells. Giving
forget to call, as he'd promised. Quoin
was persuaded that such oversight
would be symptomatic of insanity. His
tone was light; but his direct and pene-
trating gaze embarrassed the girl, and
she was f1uttered by consciousness that
her cheeks were unaccountably aglow,
her fingers tremulous in his firm grasp
Betty Merrilees offered >eoOl cheek
to Lydia's lips. Don't worry about
me-" she protested pettishly. Besides
in your heart Of hearts you believe I'm
guilty-you know you dol"
II don't I" Lydia insisted, and in the
next breath. "You didn't-honestly|
Betty's mood melted transiently
Honest Injun!" she declared with
mirth in her voice, but downright can
dor in the eyes that held Lydia's. "And
I don't blame anyone for climbing up
on the fence, either" she added In
cryptic phrase, "all except these de-
spicable customs men"
Peters town car was waiting at the
pier entrance, and when he had helped
her into 1t, Lydia, looking out through
the limousine door, viewed section OF
the throng Of passengers waiting fol
taXicabs, In the forefront of which
stood two men.
One faced her and first attracted at
tention by his singularly persistent
stare-a stoutish body, by no means
tall, snug in braided morning coat
the London mode, glossy topper, white
spats and all, down to the silver-mount
ed stick Of malacca-wearing humor'
Gus eye in his square-jawed, scarlet
face-one who would readily pass cur
rent as an elderly and retired gentle
man Of means, with a penchant fol
good cooking and outdoor life.
His companion. some. inches taller
and built upon more rakish lines, stood
half turned aside so that she could see
little more than the salient line of 9
dark, lean cheek, and long and mar.
row back-head. But that was quite