The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1920-01-15
CHAPTER VIII.
Mrs. Jimmson Again.

I had felt myself going and let my
self down as gently as l could, under
the circumstances. How long L was
unconscious, I have no way OF know
Ing. but it came to me gradually that
my flat had been robbed-Of what and
by whom, 1 couldn't imagine-but as
for the diamonds, / forgot them, to-
tally. 1 undressed and went to bed,
pulling the blankets up over me, camp
fashion, without waiting to make the
bed or clear up any Of the wreckage
and without feeling any particular ap-
prelension, only deathlike exhaus-
ton.
I woke in the early dawn and still 1t
hadn't come back to me about the d1a-
monds; but what did swoop on me
with q rush was that Mrs. Jimmson
was coming to clean and would be
there not a 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 in a way
that would have been insufferable i'm
pertinence had it not been SO sincere
and devoted She loved me and all
my works--particularl my works, on
which she RECALLED the neighbors at
such times as she was joyfully permit
ted to go home with a new one under
her arm.
And she'd be here at eight-thirty !
"Heaven help usl'' cried, hopping out
of bed and slipping on kimono. If
she gets hold of this robbery, I'm done
for-I'n 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 a stateI / gave an apprehensive
glance at the window as scraped UP
spilled breakfast food and threw it in
the garbage cant knew how my I'M
pleasant visitor had got out and Won
dered how he had got in, but wasted
no time thinking of it. was soon
enough to know, however.
l 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 it waS-a precaution ade-
quately explained by my attire; and
telling her to begin at the kitchen for
I hadn't had my bath, I piloted her
with a seemingly affectioDate arm TO
her quarters Then I bolted myself
into the bathroom and with stealthy
movements cleared away the evidence
of the 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, end she was occupied in
setting my tray and did not hear me
as passed the kitchen door. Thus I
had time to see what lay on the dining
room table before she told me.
1t was a long thin dagger. sharp as
a razor. Mrs. Jimlnson pulled open
the kitchen door and bounced out just
as / had taken the dagger in my hand.
sThat's what / found on the kitchen
floor back Of the scrap basket" she ex-
claimed. Her eyes were rolling.
1 managed to say carelessly, yes
my new paperknife. was wondering
where I'd dropped 1t. wish you'd
bring in my breakfast-Im in ire
mendous hurry this morning"
"Oh-it's only paperknife, is itY'
she murmured in disappointed tone.
'sI didn't know but it was"
"Was what? / demanded, wonder
ing If she had, with her uncanny inter-
est In me and my affairs, sensed some
thing queer and wrong about the fiat.
swell, it give me quite turn to see
that dagger layin' on the foor," she
admitted with some spirit, "and nat
chelly couldn't help thirkin', now
could IY'
"Oh, naturally said !, and laid it on
the tray along with the scissors and
paste and the pen box that had, only
yesterday, held a million dollars worth
Of diamonds; and then / asked her
would she please bring in my break
fast. And my knees were shaking un-
-. mo and I tho,i1laf ss(ll, 49,.
saved ny life Iast night for a fact, by
talking to me while he was up here
rsaaing Oh. BilIy-you saved my life,