Ellsworth American., 1920-05-26
DIPLOMACY WINS
BY REsEccA r. 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 his
only source of Observation-Disclosures
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' home.
Martha. tall and spare. with shiny
black hair and eyes that never seemed
to smile, had lived alone. remote from
the life of SpoffordsviIle 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.
1--WE 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 lot of fuss over little silver
cup" she said. scornfully.
TITS an heirloom, that's why. Alice
Pennington had 1t 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 hastened 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 I be good for afterwards?"
The buggy ratified down the hill. and
Martha turned back into the house.
TT was just for bad news that he
came" she sighed "and 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
Guiding 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 n youth of about
thirteen years entered the detectives
office.
"HuIlo. Joe" said the intruder, init
mately.
"Hullo. Bill" replied the detective
to William c. Ransom. Jr.
"rve got news for you" said Will
liam 81 know where the goblet Is"
"Where!" cried Mitchell. leaplng TO
his feet.
William was cautious. "You know
expect part OF the-er-"
"Of course! But quick! Tell me
where 1t ls."
Hitch 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 a familiar road.
"Here we are" he said, trium-
phantly.
Joe looked quickly around him.
"Whati You don't mean She amt
Bill nodded. "Yes, she has. Last
night was up here. and happened tn
peek in the window. and she was hold
ing that little cup"
Joe was silent; then he made a
snatch for the reins, "Give me them.
he cried "We1l turn out of here in
double quick time. Do you think I'd
accuse herr"
IAN 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. "th0t's part
Of your agreement understand? Now
you get out Of sight. I'll 20 in"
Inside th7 house with Martha, Joe
found his plan very hard 10 carry ont
Martha" he said suddenly. "wIll
yOu marry me?"
The question was put none too ab
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 n few min
utes 81 want to confess something
before we go any further. I think the
time for me TO say IL Is now. II
got foolish drunk on hard cider up to
Jim Slater's place one time"
There was deep silence. and Joe
waited hreathlesSly
"Joe." finally came the answer
aTs,-o s.1. oNOFagS Too