The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-19
But l didn't take time to meditat

IL as lark-mtrror draws a bird. Then
slipped off my underskirt and spread
it fiat on the ground. Kneeling beside
it, promptly enptied the tin box or It's
waffle of carelessly interviewer metal
and stones. I tied them carefully up in
nv skirt Then into the tin box l
thrust my penciled message and screwed
down the cover
..nlov,. Serena" said to my tiny
accomplice, I'VE must find the button
wood leg"
I Serena whispered back to me that It
wouldn't be hard. And in the end she
found her buttonwood.
made her sit down on one END OF II
and take off her shoes and stockings.
Then I placed the tin box in her hands
and told her TO go on to the exact spot
where she had first found 1t, and bury
II again For some time during the
next twelve hours, / knew, Angelo
Pareto would come to that bucoiic
fence" He would exhume that mes
sage and read it. There was night
ing chance that he would accept 1t rs
genuine, even though feature or two
of the situation might mystify him.
And il that decoy did what I expected
| Of II. there was also a chance that
Pareto would come where the arm of
| the law would reach out and gather
| him in.
1 was brought back to reality by
Serena tinorously cropping about for my
hand. A screech-owl. somewhere deeper
| in the woods, was sounding its dolorous
| call. I'm afraid" said the child. in a
| whisper.
/ you need never be afraid of any
| thing. of anybody. And you're not
afraid OF me. now. are you?"
| NO" she admitted as VIC went hand
IN hand, confidently. through the black
ness of the night.
And would you do what wanted
| you to do?"
| Yes, ma'am," was the child's answer.
| And would you come away with me
| if I asked you toy"
I'D go anywheres with you" heard
a small and tremulouS voice whisper up
| out of the darkness.
| Together we tiptoed up through that
| sQualid house Of slumber. Then bolted
my door, and re-iit my lamp. and ex-
| planned to Senera that she'd better lie
down on my bed until morning came.
But noticed that she watched me as
took out the official Alliance list Of the
missing Jewels and. spreading out my
undersl<irt. carefully inventoried what it
held.
They were all there. I saw, except
two pieces. So took the faded news
papers from the F7ttom Of the bureau
drawers and carefully. wrapped each
piece, tied them together. and locked
them in my handbag. Then I slipped
my automatic under the pillow. and
| with a sigh of satisfaction lay down
beside the tired child.
When 1 opened my eyes, 1t was TO
the nlulttudinous farm noises Of earliest
morning, the bleating or hungry calves
| the Growing OF cocks. the twitter of
| awakening sparrows about the ruinous
old caves. The moment I moved the
girl at my side sat up in bed.
Serena" announced. this is the
day we're going to New York"
AS we emerged from the doorway at
the stair-bottom we came face to face
with Eph Gottlob- Then he saw the
child at my side. the child with the un-
usual apparel and the parcel under her
arm. And his face went black.
ct want that girl" said the big hulk
Of man, with his obsessed eyes on the
shrinking figure so close beside me.
ITO beat again?" demanded.
That's my business. But want her"
well. you can't have her." I calmly
announced.
who says cant?" he demanded.
He seemed so sure of his power that he
could afford to be leisurely about it.
Il say So" was my retort
"And what gives you the right o. say
in that?''
"The law does"
Jest what law" he scoffed.
THE law thatn put you behind bars
If say So" announced
And f'r what7" he demanded, suuar-
ing his heavy jaw.
For being a receiver Of stolen goods, /"
1 shot out at him, with all my power.
What gives you the right Z stand
there mouthin' about stolen goods?" he
temporized.
I'm an officer of the law" said, as
lifted a waist-revers and flashed my
) Alliance badge at him. He studied 1t
nxedly and frowingly. but at distance.
as children study snake
An what're you countin' on doin'?"
he asked after rather prolonged
silence. I'd been wondering If he'd the
: brains to perceive that had no legal
standing beyond the limits Of my State.
I'm taking possession OF this child
! Tor the offense you've already accused
! her Of. for stealing jewelry."
What jew'ry?"
THE jewelry she's already turned
over to me. That is. all except two
pieces. which are in your passion"
He turned and crossed slowly to the
old octagonal clock against the wall.
He opened the door in its face, took
out q tin tobacco-box. and from the
bottom of it disinterred a diamond ring
and an emerald sunburst Of exceptional
, beauty. But instead Of handing them
to me he flung them contemptuously
. on the table between US
AN jest where might you be goin'7"
he inquired, trying pathetically to save
his face by throwing note Of mockery
into the question.
ITO New York. told him.
AN talxin' her there?" he scofed.
with head-nod at the girl
81 am" affirmed
Z Then Cawd help you" he said with
. one Of his taurine snorts-
He has helped me-" said with
slow thrill Of exaltation which seemed
to leave me no longer in doubt a. to
the future And he has helped Serena
too