The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1918-02-23

do was to take things seriously. es-
pecially out loud"
"YOu're-hOrrid!
The adjective was childish; but
Lydia wasn't In a mood to search for
one more dignified. She turned frosty
shoulder to the young man; but the
seed OF suspicion had been planted In
the mind Of one who couldn't forget
how lightly Betty had confessed to
prior exploits in the gentlewomanly
art of smuggling, and her laughing con-
fessiOn that nothing but sheer fright
would prevent her attempting again to
outwft the custom house.
And even while this memory was
troubling her the affair took a turn to
fix doubt Of Betty firmly in Lydia's
mind.
It began with the return of the in
spector, accompanied by the custom
house official in charge Of the pier-a
middle-aged man, this one, with q
rather consequential manner, gold
trimmed eyeglasses, and a not unkindly
expression.
MRS. Merrilees, believer" he asked
with much urbanity.
Mrs. Merrilees interrupted herself
abruptly to turn and examine the
deputy with the eye Of disfavor. "Yes1"
she asked brusquely.
The deputy introduced himself. "The
inspector has just informed me Of this
-er-unfortunate matter" he pursued.
"And I thought I might possibly be able
to help straighten 1t out"
'sNnd Of you. I'm sure" But the
tone of Mrs. Merrilees completely be-
lied this statement. 'Have you any
thing to proposeT
If I might have the privilege Of q
word In private" the deputy suggest
ed blandly.
Quoin made as II to withdraw.
swat, please. This Is Mr.. Quoin.
You may have heard Of him."
"Who hasntr' the deputy returned
pleasantly. proud to meet you, SIR"
'Mr. Quoin has kindly volunteered
to help me in outrage. Anything
you wish to say he may hear"
As you please, madam, but" The
glance Of the deputy veered Significant
ly to Peter and Lydia.
"No!" Mrs. Merrilees insisted warm
~. you can have nothing to say that
any Of my friends may not hear"
'Then, madam-permit me to advise
Won. In all deference~
"WellT
ut will save you a great deal OF
trouble to produce the original collar,
pay the duty on 1t, and"
"Quoinl !" Betty exclaimed in q tone
Of irritated perpleuty. "What can this
person mean?"
Qu0in was silent.
II don't mean" the deputy pursued,
unabashed, ITO be offensive; but-the
inference II unavoidable. You are
known to have purchased q valuable
pearl collar in Paris"
II believe / declared itr"
but upon examination you produce
only q comparatively worthless imita-
tion. and assert that you have been
robbed Of the original"
II ASSERT have asserted nothing"
Mrs. Merrilees drew Q long breath,
closed her teeth with q vindictive snap.
and reopened them to observe with
whitening dlstinctness, '0o away You
arc insolenti You presume-oh, you
annoy mel Do go-before I forget M.
self"
I'VE can't assess an Imitation at tho
value Of the real necklace of course,
ana yet we know that the original u
coming into this country BY this boat. "
Then permit me to recommend the
other passengers to your attention"
.We'l do our best to overhaul them
all, I promise you. But II the goods
don't turn up, wen feel reluctantly
compelled to make thorough search.
not only Of your luggage but Of your
self as well. Mrs. Merrilees."
; @Quoin I" Mrs. Merrilees appealed.
The Investigator shook his head.
tits too bad; but I really don't see
what's to be done about 1t. These peo-
pie have the power to make things
mighty unpleasant for you unless
'What, you tool" she Missed. 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 submit"
every WELT" With . shrug Of de-
nance, 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 well send
for . female inspector to search me-
But every one Of you win suffer Tor