The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1920-01-29

Wv "AAaaoAAAAeAt obOhAS" - - N~~-
papa.
Billy was on his knees. From under
one protruded the note that had
caused the damage. went down on
my knees and applied the wet towel.
Billy fished forth the note and with
out compunction read 1t aloud.
Ny child: at was in French) Return to
the hotel immediately. Ask Mr. Rivera TO
escort you. YOTRE PERE.
Nothing very nerve-shattering and not
a word about her mother; so evident
ly she'd been expecting something and
this had kseled her over on general
principles.
"wnat was in yours" demanded
Billy.
reached out and got II of the tn.
BILE where I'd thrown It and gave It
to him. "Nothing about her mother"
said I. "This getting her away Is Just
dodge to see me alone."
you're not going tol" Billy ex-
claimed. with some dlsmay.
l sopped at Claire's face and an
swered: II don't know-it depends
on how soon he comes"
II wouldn't--lt isn't safe for you"
"You come here the very first thing
In the morning, and II don't answer
your ring"
Claire just then stirred, and we
thought she was coming to. but she
relapsed again, and Billy doubled up
his fists and made motion toward the
front door, indicating that II didn't
answer he would break II In.
"That's it--and the very first thing
else to do--and---" leaned over Claire
anxiously, and whispered to myself
rather than Billy: This is pretty
bad"
"Where's that ammoniaf" he de-
manded, makingla wry face and adding
in a whisper: ''Do you suppose she
knowsT
"of course not" I retorted. "You
don't suppose he was such a fool as
to tell his own child how we done him
last night It's in the kitchen, where
we left It."
'Well, she'll never know from me
and I hope she'll never know from
you" admonished Billy, rising from bis
knees and searching my face for the
assurance.
responded with something very
like q giare-Billy was really taking
quite a bit on himself Just then
hope knew without being told by q
boy who went to school to me what
the common decencies of the case
werei But all said was: PLEASE
get It,"
A few drops of ammonia on the tow
ell and she gasped. Then she muir
INJURED: "Oh, mamma" In tragic &C
cents. and relapsed again. l was
about to send Billy to the nearest doc
toi he could get in captivity. when th'
bell rang-George wanted to know
when the young lady would be ready
-"the shutters waitln' an he's In
hurry"
Billy-who answered the ring
snapped out: Let him wait-it'i
what he's paid for. Go down and tel
him we're coming"
BE slammed the door, for a momen
forgetting Claire, and she started III
at the noise with her cry: "oh, man
ma r. and then seeing me: "Oh, you
"Yes-rm here" soothed, an
thought she was going OF again an
gave her a good smart swat with tn
towel and a good sharp. "Claire"
In spite of our assurances, II was
good half-hour before she was any
thing like all right and we got a ct
herent account from her and foun
! she only thought something had haJ
pened to her mother. 1t was q fu
three-quarters of an hour before sh
was ready to leave.
] was more than half-minded to
with her, and but for monsieur's expli'
y It note-which read again afte
Claire came 10 her senses-l shoul
not have let her 60 OF that way, eve
= with Billy. though knew that so "a
! as devoted perfect care went, he'd CIV
It to her as well as l. More accepts
bly,, mayhapl
o had a growing uneasiness tn
: monsleur's surreptitious return Il
words alone with me marked a chani
In the current Of events. Had he
ready discovered without my help tn
! Mrs. Delario had the dlamondsf Hf
. he seen her since | left tie housef Al
. was he prepared to drop on her VII
u the law1 Certainly had already q
ticed he had about him the air
. something he hadn't the night befo
, when he threw himself on my mer'
J, and implored me to help him.
M nA.A ~. .laoAfn0 attitude.