Cheyenne record., 1920-03-25
CHAPTER VIII.
Mrs. Jimmson Again.

Mrs. Jimmson Again.
! had felt myself going and let my
self down as gently as l could, under
the circumstances. How long l was
unconscious, have no way Of know
Ing. but 1t came to me gradually that
my fiat had been robbed-Of what and
by whom. l couldn't imagine-but as
for the diamonds. l forgot them, to-
tally. l 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-
prehension, only deathlike exhaus-
ton.
! woke in the early dawn and still 1t
hadn't come back to me about the dia-
monds; but what did swOop on me
with II rush was that Mrs. JimmsOn
was coming to clean and would be
there not minute later than eight
thirty.
She was a refined little woman who
had seen better days-before she
welded the decently lamcnted 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 way
that would have been insuircrable i'm
pertinence had 1t not been so sincere
and devoted. She loved me and all
my works-particularly my works. on
which she RECALLED the neighbors at
such times as she was joyfully permit
ted TO 20 home with a new one under
her arm
And she'd be here at eight-thirty
Heaven help us!" cried. hopping out
Of bed and slipping on kimono. "If
she gets hold Of this robbery. I'm done
fOr-IIl see my name in the papers
tomorrow, sure"
With feverish haste I 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 state! l gave an apprehensive
glance at the window as | scraped up
spilled breakfast food and threw 1t In
the garbage can-I knew how my un-
pleasant visitor had got out and Won
aered how he had got in, but wasted
no time thinking of 1t. I 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 II wnS-a Drecaution ade-
uuatcly explained by my attire: and
telling her to begin at the kitchen for
] hadn't had my bath, | piloted her
with a seemingly afrectionate arm to
her quarters Then | 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 l got into the tub. asking her to
make my coffee and get ready the rolls
and butter. and she was occupied in
setting my tray and did not hear me
as i passed the kitchen door Thus |
had time to see what lay on the dining
room table before she told me.
1t was long thin dagger. sharp as
razor. Mrs. Ilmmson pulled open
the kitchen door and bounced out just
as l hah taken the dagger in my hand.
"rta.'s what | found on the kitchen
floOr back Of the scrap basket" she eX-
claimed. Her eyes were rolling.
! managed to say carelessly. yes
my new pApcrknife. | was wondering
where I'd dropped it. ] wish you'd
bring in my breakfast-Tm in tre-
mendOus hurry this morning"
"Oh-it's only a paperknife, is it?"
she murmured in a disappoini ed tone.
81 didn't know but II was"
"Was what?" ! demanded wonder
ing If she had. with her uncanny inter-
est In me and my affairs. sensed some
fhlng queer and wrong about the fat.
wet. II give me quite turn to see
'Ev' ds9Re~ saviD' on the hOOr," shO