The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1920-10-07

backed awkwardiy away. Sister
reiicitc drew back tho curtain. and
the reporters departed.
ON IN, narrow stop, sidewalk OF
ponhomme street Robbln. turned
10 pumars. with unworthy sarcasm,
.,v.u w,a, 49,, c,,r.,, ,.y
,.,,.
Hps'n'h"' sara pu""s
With the history OF the missing
money thus partially related. some
conjecture may be formed OF the
sudden idea that Madame Tibaults
words seemed TO have suggested TO
Robbins brain.
Was II 20 Wild n surmise-that the
religious fanatic had offered up his
wealth-or, rather Madame Tihault's
In the shape OF a material symbol
OF his consuming dovotioni stranger
things have been done In the namo
OF worship. Was II not possible
that the lost thousands were mould
cd into that iuStrous imagcf That
tho goldsmith had formed II OF tho
pure and precious metal. and act "
there. thru some hope OF perhaps
disordcred brain to propitiate the
saints and pave tho way TO his own
selfish gioryf
That afternoon. At nve minutes
10 three. Robbins entered the chapel
door OF the Little sisters OF samaria.
He saw. In the dim light a crowd OF
perhaps a hundred people gathered
to attend the sale. Most OF them
were members OF various religious
orders. priests and churchmen. come
To purchase the paraphernaiia OF the
chapel. lest they TAU INTO desccrat
ms hands. Others were business
men and agents como TO bid upon
the realty, a clerical looking
brother had volunteered 10 WELD ,he
hammer. bringing TO the offic" OF
the anctioncer the anomaly OF choice
dicsion and dignity OF manner.
few OF the minor articles were
sold. ana then two assistants brought
forward the image OF the Virgin.
Robbins started the bidding at ten
dollars A stout man. In an &C
elessasticai Earh. went TO ffteen- n
voice from another part OF the crowd
raised TO twenty The three bid al
ternasely. raising py bids OF hvc'
until the offer was nfty dollars.
Then the stout man dropped out.
and Robbins. as sort OF coup dc
main. went TO q hundred.
Ono hundred and fif'y." said the
other voice,
Two hundred. bid Robbins. bold
ny.
| Twohfty. called his competitor.
promptly.
The reporter hesitatcd Tor the
space OF a lightning flash. estimat'
ms how much he could borrow from
the boys In the office. and screw
from the business manager from his
next months salary.
| Three hundred. he offered.
Three-fifty, spoke up the other.
IN louder voics--a voice That sent
hoboins diving suddenly thru the
crowd In It's direction. 10 catch Du'
mars. It's owner. ferocsously by the
collar.
You unconverted IDIOT hiss~d
Robbins, close TO his ear~--pooir'
Agreed said Dufnar-. cooiiy. Il
/ NRtsNhN tR@"N 1tt'r "A'ss
fifty dqliara with scarch-warrant.
but ! can stand half What you
come bidding against me for'-
Il thought was the only fool In
the crowd" explained Robbins
NO one else bidding. the statue
was knocked down TO tho syndicate
at their last offer. Dufnars remain
ed with the prize. while Robbins
hurried forth To wiring from tho re-
sources and credit OF both tho price.
He soon returned with tho money.
and the two musketeers loaded their
precious package into carriage
and drove with II TO Dumar's room.
In old Charities Street nearby, They
iugxed u. covered with a cloth. up
the stairs. and deposited II on
table. hundred pounds II weighed.
II an ounce. and at that estimate.
according TO their CALCULATION. "
their daring theory werc correct II
stood there. worth twenty thousand
golden dollars.
Robbins removed the covering.
and opened his pocketknifc-
"Sacref muitered Dumars. shud.
dering. IT Is the Mother OF Christ
What would you dor
Shut up, Judas said Robbins.
coldly. It's too late for you 10 be
saved now.
with a firm hand. he clipped a
slice from the shoulder OF the image.
The cut showed duli. grayish metal.
with n thin coating OF gold leaf.
Lead announced Robbins. hurl.
ing bis Knife to the gildedf'
To the devil with NJ said Du-
mars. forgetting his scruples. II
must have a drink
Together they walked moodily 20
the cafe OF Madame Tibault. two
squares away.
IL seemed that madame's mind had
been stirred that day IN frosh recol.