Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1919-12-03
CHAPTER VIII.
Mrs. Jimmson Again.

self down as gently ms | could, under
the circumstances. How long l was
unconscious, have no way of know
ing but It came to me gradually that
my fiat had been robbed-of what ana
by whom, | couldn't imagine-hut as
for the diamonds, / forgot them, to-
tally. | undrcssed and went to bed,
pulling the blankets mp over me. camp
fashion, without waiting 10 make the
bed or clear up any Of the wreckage
and without feeling any particular APP
prchension, only a dcathIike exhauS-
ton.
woke in the early dawn and still It
hadn't come back to me about the dia-
monds: but what did swOOp on me
with a rush was that Mrs. Jimmson
was coming to clean and would be
there not minute later than eight
thirty.
She was refined little woman who
had seen better days-before she
welded the decently lamented Jimm-
son and had to support him through
tuberculosis" by days work and
fancy washing and ironing. My inter
est in her had been the main prop In
her struggles for several years and she
reciprocated said interest ,n way
that would have been inau,lerable I'M
pertinence had it not been so sincere
ard devoted She loved me and all
my works-particularly my works, on
which she RECALLED the neighbors at
such times as she was joyfully permit
ted to 90 home with q new one under
her arm.
And she'd he here at eightthlrty
"Heaven help us :" cried, hopping out
OF bed and slipping on a kimono. IF
she gets hold of this robbery. I'm done
for-Fll see my name In the papers
tomorrow, sure :"
With feverish haste got the books
back in the cases, hit or miss as they
came to hand the pictures hung and
the rooms In order. The kitchen was
in Il state! ! gave an apprehenslve
glance at the window as l scraped up
spilled breakfast food and threw 1t in
the garbage can--I knew how my un-
pleasant visitor had got out and won
dered how he had got In. but l wasted
no time thinking Of It. i was soon
enough to know. however.
had barely finished with the
kitchen and was opening the bathroom
door to clear up there when my dear
Jimmson rang.
let her in, first asking through the
! door who ii was--a precaulion ade-
| quately explained by my attire; and
| telling her TO begin at the kitchen for
hadn't had my bath. l piloted her
with seemingly affectionate arm 10
| her quarters Then l bolted myself
into the bathroom and with stealthy
movements cleared away the evidence
| of tho search.
My bath refreshed me. and was
clothed and somewhat near my right
mind when | came out Of the bath
room. had called out to her. Just be-
fore got into the tub. asking her to
make my coffee and get ready the rolls
and butter, and she WAS occupied In
setting my tray snd did not hear me
as passed the kitchen door Thus |
had time to see what lay on the dining.
room table before she told me
II was long thin dagger sharp as
razor Mrs. Jimmsou pulled open
the kitchen door and bounced out Just
as had taken the dagger In my hand
That's what found on the kitchen
floor back OF the scrap basket" size ex
claimed. Her eyes were rolling
l managed to say carelessly. Yes
my new paperknlfe. l was wondering
where ia dropped IT, l wish you'd
bring In my hreakfast--rm in tire
mendous hurry this morning"
"Oh-itS only a paperknife. is it,
she muImured IN a disappointed tone
"a didn't anew but 1t was"
WAS wlrtt' l demanded. wonder
Ing if she had. with her uncunuy inter
est in nue. and my affairs. sensed some
thing queer and wrong about the fiat.
Well. it give me quite turn TO Sc,
that dagger layin on the floor" sh,
admitted with some spirit. "aud mai
chelly l couldn't help thinkiu'. nov
1nuld ~"
"Oh. naturally" said l. and laid II OF
the tray along with the scissors ant
paste and the pen box tn, had onI
yesterday. held million dollars WORT
Of diamonds; and then l asked he
would she please bring in my break
fast. And my knees were shaking IN
der me and | thought. oh. boy-yor
saved my life last night for Il fact b
talking To me while he was up her
, waiting. Oh, Billy-you saved my If,
. taking me 10 silly show. Bat ho,