Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-10-13


Elinor'S eyes were pitiful.
"Wouldn't any other pearl dO?"
He glanced down at her quizzically.
"Where's your mind, Elinor? If you
lose II dog and want it back, will any
other dog do? Why? DO you want the
thing yonrself?"
81 have given 1t away" said ElinOr
Under his golf tan Talbot turned
rather gray.
'"rO whOmY
"The Jewels were always mine," pro-
tested Elin0r, defending herself. "You
have always told me that. thought l
had right"
$40 whOm?"
81 put 1t in the almsbOx at Saint
Jude's this morning.
"rhen it may still be there?"
~ don't know"
"In the name of GOdw Talbot broke
out "What possessed you to give the
thing away? Whim or no within, You
have no right to risk the rest of US. If
that thing is traced back to you, you
know what it means"
"Nohody saw me"
But Talbot was pacing up and down.
"There's only one chance" he said
"I'll send special delivery to the
chief, telling him the thing is in the
almsbOx. If it's still there, he'll get it
and return It, IF It's already been dis
covered, at least he can claim to have
known it's hiding-place."
Talbot disgustedly relinquished his
golf. and in the library of the hall
wrote the anonymous letter To the
chief. Then. in his gray car, he set on
for the city to mail the letter.
When he was in the car the engine
ihrobbing easily, Elinor ventured to
put her hand on his arm.
Last night she said rapidly, "Wal-
ter threatened all sorts Of things: that
he would get the morning collection at
Saint Judes, that he would kill Mr.
Ward. l am frightened, Tallie."
Talbot patted her hand.
eve will get this fixed np so it wOn't
be necessary: and as for the other, yOr
know Walter. He was mad Will
jealousy last night. That's all talk"
On that wild ride Talbot had little
time to think, hut, such ms they We're
his thoughts were Of ElinOr and hel
caprice.
ITS the preacher, after ALL he sale
to himself. IT'S enough to make ole
Hilary turn over"
From that his mind wandered tC
Walter. He knew Huff, the violence OF
his temper. the madness Of his passion
FOR the girl. Talbot was uneasy.
Einor had IN unexpected visitor
that afternoon. 1t was the Bryan
woman.
White, but very dignified, Elnol
came into the drawing room. But Mrs
Bryant had not come about the pearl
"You must forgive a Sunday visit.
she said. but have taken Mr.. Bry
ant to the country club, and wanted
so much to come To see You"
Einors color returned.
ut is very kind of you 20 come"
Mrs. Bryant's small. birdlike eye
darted over the room. The house wa
distinctly good form. Perhaps the gir
might be an acquisition to the social lif
Of the village. After all. religion wa
becoming very broad. Even the hes
people
"The country club" said Mrs. Bry
ant aloud. "is full of disagreeabl,
memories to me just now. 1t was les
than Il week ago that was robbed"
"Ahw said Elinor. "Robbed! How
interesting"
"All my jewels, everything | pos
Sessed that was really worth WHILE"
"But surely the police"
Mrs. Bryant flushed with anger
"The police!" she said. ut wouldn'
surprise me ut all to discover that TIL
police are in with the thieves. Lo0l
ut the condition Of this country! ]
has been terror-ridden for the last tw'
or three years. You yourself are
victim. Your poor father"
Actually she had detested old Hilary
She sat forward on the edge of he
chair and spoke with great JUNCTION.
"There is a band Of organized, in
telligent bandits working in this neigh
borhood, Miss Kingston, Il band of mur
derers. In these days of femnism,
wouldn't astonish me ut all to discove
that some woman is at the head Of Il
The things that have been planne
have been so fipndishly clever"
Mrs. Bryant rose.
at shows how demornllzing sue
things are" she said. 81 assure 70
/ that | never look at Il womans lhroa
these days without expecting to Sc
my pearl"
From that dangerous ground sh
} stepped quickly to the burning Of tn
parish house, which she believed WI
; the work Of militant suffragettes.
"Thc dear rector ~ not a feminist
! she snid. Ills assistant, fear, has
strong tendency in that direction. Br
: he Is Il wonderful person, really. Ju'
Imagine, seventy.eight thousand do
lars was collected In Saint Jude
.s.ss-e .s+. aRNeB