The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-12-18
CHAPTER w.
The Wicked Flee.

WOmeu dIOH0 III Tie uOuSc-dppdA
ently--to guard them, but Mrs. Della
rio was terrified.
'"These stones"-she looked about
the room despairingly. "Where can
hide them? And we two women alone
In the house"
Again the ring-a long, long rattle;
whoever it was meant to get in. Fol-
lowed pounding on the door.
Mrs. Delario, though deathly white,
was now composed and ready to meet
the emergency, whatever it was. Me-
chanically she slipped the elastic over
the box and rose.
'Tll go to the door," she decided.
'It's better to see who 1t is, anyway.
Perhaps it's only district messenger
If it isn't-if it should be officers
they might break in the door,"
And with that she whisked up her
skirt and tucked the box down into her
stocking.
1 had risen and was preparing to
follow her out, feeling she might need
me, but she turned and said for me
to wait behind the door out of sight
and listen.
She left me. / heard the front door
open just as the pounding began again.
She asked, "What is it," and mans
voice answered, docs Eugene Delario
live here?" She said he did, and de-
manded what was wanted of him. The
mans voice said, 81 must see him at
once''
And then, to my amaZement heard
her tell the man, I'm sorry, but you
can't-tonight; he's sick in bed
81 rather think can see him, then, :"
vas the retort. "And will"
There followed, well, not quite a
scuffie but very active shu1iing of
feet, and the man pushed his way into
the house in spite of her, pushing her
aside from the door, which he shut
with bang and "Now, then." SEN
sations began to trickle down my
spine.
SIN which room is the young man
sick?" demanded the voice.
II tell you you can't see him-I re-
fuse to let you 60 upstairs. What
right have you forcing yourself into
my house this way and demanding to
see my sick SOM" she asked angrilS
"Now, lady, be reasonable and I'll
show you," he replied in a tone meant
to conciliate. / heard rattle Of pa
per.
"a warrant" she gasped.
That's what" he said. want to
see my badger" There was slight
rustic as 1 assumed he showed it to
her, for she gasped, "An officer-a war
rantl" and seemed to sway on the
stair.
'Now, lady," he began, still concili-
ating, ''you don't want to make any
more trouble for yourself than's nee
essary. I got to do my duty-and it
amt always pleasant-but got to do
it. 1t amt my fault If got to arrest
your son-I amt doing it to spite you,
nor him-he didn't steal any diamonds
off me, you know"
"Steal any diamonds!" she inter-
rupted. "He never stole a diamond in
his life. Never!''
/ fancied the man struggling as he
answered, $50 much the better for him
If he didn't steal them-I'm sure
hope for your sake he didn't, though
it looks bad, him trying to sell them
to the very parties that knew all about
them"
"Oh!" and I could see her clinging
to the banister. She was evidently at
a loss what to do.
l understood in a flash what had
happened-this man or an accomplice
was the one who had followed her son
yesterday. He evidently thought he
was making Roadway, for he went on.
NOW see here, lady, you take it
from nle-the parties that are press
ing this case don't care for publicity
any more than you door your son
does. 1t would ruin him if it got into
the papers, to say nothing of his serv-
ing time for it"
Serving time! My God!" broke
from her involuntarily.
ssOf course he'll serve time If it's
proved on him." her visitor assured
her.
She gave sob. was wrought up.
1t was all could do to keep my place
and not join her and help defy the
man; but his next words held me lis
tening.
eff he'll give back the. stones he
showed yesterday, or tell where he's
hid them, can get this settled out of
court and nobody will be the wiser-if
you don't say anything. Seer"
at isn't true!" she cried. my son
never stole cents worth of anything
in his life."
Here's the warrant"
ARREST him if you will, but the law
will prove him innocent-if there's law
in the land, and / sometimes doubt it."
"But hadn't you better talk to him
first? 1t won't hurt to hear what he
has to say, and if it can be arranged
on the quiet"
II shall not talk to him! Do you
think | would insult my son by asking
him If he stole diamonds?'