Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1917-09-05
CHAPTER K.
IL

The silence was short-lived; but
while 1t lasted a power of scorn
played like lightning round the de-
voted head of the appraiser.
AS for Lydia and Peter (who had
Just Joined the group, they CAPPED in
open amazement; while the inspector
looked sorry for Charlie.
After lightning, thunder, remote,
maestOso, "Are-you-mad?"
me? No, ma'am, not a bit. It's
nothing to me, you know"
Don't bubble, If you please.
want to know whether or not you're
daft. You know perfectly well that
necklace is worth ninety-sixty thou
sand dollars. Look ut the bill. In
spector, be good enough to show this
person COttier's BILL"
The appraiser examined the receipt
with ostensible establishment. Il don't
understand this, ma'am," he faltered.
Nor I!'
"Cottier's don't deal in limitations,
I know" he pursued with greater con-
fdence. "All the same, I'll stake my
Job that those are fish-skin pearls,
paste brilliants, and-well, the set
tings, admit, are genuine"
Then your job is as good as lost.
shall file a complaint and have you
discharged for incompetence"
IF you'll pardon me, I don't be-
ueve you will, Mrs. Merrilees."
Easy, Betty!" Peter Trait inter-
posed. Perhaps he's right, after ALL"
"Be quiet, Peter When want your
advice, I'll let you know. Certainly
ought to know when 1 paid for that
collar"
Then you have been shamefully
cheated, Mrs. Merrilees," the inspec-
tor put in.
quite impossible. I know real
gems from articles de Paris, and l ex-
amined this necklace with the great
est care before I purchased it. Since
then it has never left this box, which
hasn't been out of my care an instant
except when in the purser's safe"
I'm sorry, but 1 know what 1
know. If you're the judge you think
Yourself, ma'am, I can only suggest
that you take this to the light and
here I'll lend you my magnifying
glass"
Thank you, I sha'n't require Il"
With a gesture of rage, Mrs. Merri-
lees Snatched the case from the ap-
praiser's hands and moved toward the
patch of sunlight. Before she had
reached It, studying the collar atten-
lively on the way, Lydia saw her
aaeken pace and falter.
One short minute in that strong
glare suficed. AS pale in mystif1ca-
aon as she had previously been with
wrath, hrs. Merrilees returned.
I owe you an apology" she In
@Fmed the appraiser in shaking
voice. Its a palpable imitation"
The box slipped from her grasp and
vent to the floor with bump, splitting
Us trashy contents, and Mrs. Merri-
lees Topped incontinently to a con-
enIent trunk -Lydia's ready arm
"und her shoulders.
But, my dear!" Betty walled. tits
PERFECTLY prepoSterous
Inc appraiser looked at once Doreo
sld dubious. Peter Trait batted be-
Huaered eyes, then with helpful air
p'cAed up the box and replaced its
r'aFents. The inspector swung sharp
round and made of, with every evl-
seuce Of inspired haste. toward as
''at quarter Of the pier.
Let me thinki' Mrs. Merrilees sale
-a Stihed voice. Indenting hef lower
~ With a knuckle, she fastened an
s..sHaeted stare on the polished tips
her shoes.
Lydia, at a loss, found nothing TO
~ She couldn't decently express
W great concern over the disappear
I'VE OF something that had been dedi-
L'eu to her on her wedding day
sY"eVer remote that event. Yet she
grayeIy If unintelllgibly dis
sssSed' Beneath her ready sympathy
~ a qualm of peculiar uneasiness.
~, p'Stracted by the rumble of mems
o.eS' she looked up, to find that
~ r-s'n had added himself to the group
w.. was studiously attending to Pe-
~, account of the counterfeit collar.
e. e." eyes met presently, and Lydia
surprised By the look he bent upon