The Glenwood post. (Glenwood Springs, Colo.) 1897-current, 1920-05-08
DIPLOMACY WINS
BY REeEccA T. FARNHAM.

ton, as he logged along the country
road in his little buggy. Had anyone
CHANGED to see him, he would have
guessed that Joe was on his way to bis
only source Of consolation-Martha
Jackson. And rightly. for the buggy
rolled past the neat farm houses, and
began to climb hill road, which led
to but one place-Martha's home.
Martha, tall and spare, with shiny
black hair, and eyes that never seemed
to smile, had lived alone, remote from
the life Of Spofrordsville for many
years, working the little farm herself
and having only the bare necessities
Of life. She rarely came to the vii
lage, but she had managed to attract
in these few trips the detective, Joe
Mitchell. Three years ago he had be-
gun to direct his mares steps toward
was well-known to both horse and
master.
I've got bad news. Martha" said
Joe, as he sat down in the shabby rock
er in the equally shabby "front room"
| bad news?"
"Mr. Pennington tells me that hen
give me just two more days on this
case. If I can't find the goblet in that
time, he'll call detective from the
city
Martha's eyes clouded as she heard
his disappointed tone. They're max
Ing lot of fuss over little silver
cup" she said, scornfully.
"1t's an heirloom that's why. Alice
Pennington had it for wedding pres
ent but It's been In the family for
years. Now they're offering all this
money to get 1t back again"
"And you won't get the money"
The voice had such despair in 1t that
Joe fastened to go on.
81 don't mind that so much, al
though was counting on it. It's my
reputation that care about. n the
city detective finds 1t when I can't,
what'll be good for afterwardsT
The buggy ratified down the hill, and
Martha turned back into the house.
ut was just for bad news that he
came" she sighed. land hoped that
1t would be-for something else"
The wedding Of Alice Pennington,
that Spoffordsville owned, had pro-
! duced great sensation in the town.
! Mr.. Pennington, out Of public spirited
ness, had invited all the townspeOple
to his daughters wedding, and so
eagerly was the invitation accepted,
that practically everyone appeared, in
Guiding the recluse. Martha.
When the silver heirloom was found
to be missing from the display Of
wedding gifts, the local detective was
hired 10 solve the mystery.
The next morning youth Of about
thirteen years entered the detectives
office
"Hullo, Joe" said the intruder. inti-
mately.
"Hullo, Bill" replied the detective
to William G. Ransom, Jr.
"rve got news for you" said VIII
liam. 'I know where the goblet Is"
"where!" cried Mitchell, leaping to
his feet.
william was cautious. "You know
expect part OF the-er--
"of course But quick Tell me
where II is"
glitch up and TIL show you" agreed
the boy.
Ten minutes later Bill Rnmson, with
the detective at his side, was guiding
the horse along a familiar road.
Here we are" he said, trium-
phantly.
Joe looked quickly around him.
"What! You don't mean-She amt"
Bin nodded. "Yes, she has Last
night was up here and happened to
peek in the window. and she was hold
ing that little cup"
Joe was silent: then he made
snatch for the reins. "Give me them"
ne cried Wen turn ont Of here in
double quick time Do you think I'd
accuse herr"
"Ar right" said Bill, cheerfully.
Don't then. But will" and he be-
gan to get out Of the buggy.
"No. you don't" Joe yanked him
back again. An idea had come sud
denly to him. "You keep quiet about
this. youngster," he said, that's part
Of your agreement, understand! Now
you get out of sight. I'll go in"
Inside the house with Martha Joe
found his plan very hard to carry out.
martha" he said suddenly. "<yill
you marry me?"
The question was put none too alb
ruptly. Tho tired eyes took on anoth-
er light and gave him her answer.
But Joe Ind still more to do, although
the hardest was over.
Martha" he said. after few min
utes ''I want to confess something