Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-05-07
DIPLOMACY WINS
BY REeECCA T. FARNHAM.
1870. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate


Glanced 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-NIartha' home.
Martha. tall and spare. with shiny
black hair. and eyes that never seemed
to smile, Ind 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
1age, 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.
eve got bad news, Martha" said
Joe, rs he sat down in the shabby rock
or in the equally shabby front ROOM"
bad newS?"
Mr.. Pennington tells me that he'll
give me just two more days Oh this
case. If can't find the goblet in that
time. he'll Gull detective from the
city"
Martha's eyes cloudcd rs she heard
his disappointed tone. They're max
ing lot of fuss over little silver
cup" she said, scOrnfully.
ITS 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 it back again"
"And you won't get the money"
The voice had such despair In It that
Joe FASTENED to go on.
Il don't mind that so much al
though I was counting on it. It's my
reputation that care about. If the
city detective finds it when can't,
whnt'll 7 he 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
If would be--for something else"
The wedding of Alice P<nningto on.
the daughter of the only wealthy man
that SpOfiordSrille owned, had pro-
duced n great sensation in the town.
Mr.. Pennington. out of public spirited
ness had invited all the townsreOplc
to his daughters wedding, and so
eagerly was the invitation accepted,
that practically everyone appeared, in
Guiding the rcciuSe, 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 a youth of about
Thirteen years entered the detectives
office.
"HulIo, Joe" said the intruder, init
mately.
"IulIo. Bill" replied the detective
TO William c. Ransom, IT.
"Ive got news for YOU" said VIII
liam. II know where the goblet Isl
"Whcrc!" cried Mitchell. lcaping to
his feet.
William was cautious. "You know
! expect part of the-er-'
'Of course! But quick, Tell me
where It IS"
Hitch w and I'll show you" agreed
the boy.
Ten minutes later Bill Ransom. with
the detective at his side. was guiding
"Iierc we arc" he said, trium-
phantly.
Joe looked quickly around him.
"What. You don't mcan-She amt"
Bill nodded. "Ycs. she has. Last
night 7 was up here, and happened to
peek in the window. and she was hold
ing that little cup"
Joe was silent: then he made
snatch for The rcins. "Givc me them"
Il" cried. "Wcll turn out Of here In
double quick time. Do you think I'd
accuse hrrT'
"All right" said Bin. chccrfully.
"Dont then. ijut I will" ana he be-
gan 10 get out Of the buggy.
"No. ynn don't" Joe yankcd him
back again. An idea had come sud
denly TO him. you keep quiet about
1his, youngster," he said. chats part
Of your agreement. understand? Now
you get out Of sight I'll 60 in"
Inside The house with Martha. Joe
found his plan very hard TO carry out
Martha" he said suddenly. will
You marry mc?'
The question was put none too ah-
ruptly. The tired eyes took on anoth-
or light and gave him her answer.
Eut Joe had still more to do, although
the hardest was over.
! "Martln,' nc said, after n few min
uics. ~ want 10 confess something
before we go any further. ] think the
time for nc to say It Is now. II
got foolish drunk on hard cider up to
Jtn Slater's place one time
There was Il deep silence, and Joe
waited hrcathlcSsly.