The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1920-05-27
DIPLOMACY WINS
BY REBEcCA r. FARNhAM.


Detective Joe Mitchell of Spoffords.
vile presented figure of utter dejec.
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 his
only source of consolation-Ma
Jackson. And rightly, for the buggy
rolled past the neat farm houses, and
began to climb a hill road which led
to but one place-Martha' home.
Martha, tall and spare, with shiny
black hair, and eyes that never seemed
to smile, had lived alone, remote from
the life of Spoffordsville 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
the farm on the hill, and now the way
was well-known to both horse and
master.
"Ive 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 he'll
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 a lot Of fuss over a little silver
cup" she said, scornfully.
tits an heirloom, that's why. Alice
Pennington had it for a wedding pres.
ent, but it's been in the family fol
years. Now they're offering all this
money to get it back again."
"And you won't get the money
The voice had such despair in it that
Joe fastened to go on.
II don't mind that so much, al.
though I was counting on it. It's my
reputation that I care about. If the
city detective finds it when I can't
what'll be good for afterwards"
The buggy ratified down the hill, and
Martha turned back into the house.
1T was just for bad news that he
came" she sighed. land hoped that
1t would be-for something else"
The wedding of Alice Pennington,
the daughter Of the only wealthy man
that Spoffordsville owned, had pro-
duced a 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.
GLIDING the recluse, Martha.
When the silver heirloom was found
to be missing from the display OF
wedding gifts, the local detective was
hired to solve the mystery.
The next morning youth of about
thirteen years entered the detectives
office.
"Hullo, Joe," said the intruder, init.
mately.
"Hullo, Bill" replied the detective
to William G. Ransom, Jr.
''I've got news for you," said Will
liam. 81 know where the goblet is"
"Where!" cried Mitchell, leaping to
his feet.
William was cautious. 'You know
I expect part of the-er-'
"Of course! But quick! Tell me
where it is.'
Glitch up and I'll show you," agreed
the boy.
Ten minutes later Bill Ransom, with
the detective at his side, was guiding
the horse along familiar road.
"Here we are" he said, trium
phantly.
Joe looked quickly around him
''What! You don't mean-She amt
Bill nodded. eyes. she has. Las
night was up here, and happened tt
peek in the window, and she was hold
ing that little cup"
Joe was silent; then he made 6
snatch for the reins "Give me them
he cried well turn out Of here ir
double quick time. Do you think TG
accuse herr"
GAIL 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 hin
back again. An idea had come sud
denly to him. "You keep quiet abou
this. youngster," he said, that's par
of your agreement. understand? Nov
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, will
you marry me?"
The question was put none too alb
ruptly. The tired eyes took on anoth
| er light, and gave him her answer
But Joe had still more to do, although
the hardest was over.
| Martha he said, after few min
utes. II want to confess something
before we go any further. I think the
time for me to say it is now. u,
! got foolish drunk on hard cider up t
Jim Slater's place one time.'
There was deep silence, and Joe
waited breathlessly.
"Joe" finally came the answer
'1've got something to confess, too.
took that cup at the wedding. It wa!
so pretty, and I'd never had anythin,
nice. I Just picked it up and-I tool