The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-06-30
CHAPTER CCXIII.

When I got back from hurrying Daisy Condon out of my apartment my room holding in one hand the orchid negligee I had carelessly thrown down, in the other my pearl ring He looked up quizzica1ly:
 Where did this come from ?' he : demanded, holding out the ring. : Was it magic? How did you get it back? Did the thief come across I through noble remorse, or did you throw a scare into said thief?'' : At sound of that word, something { of justice-Jim's idea of justice might not be satisfied by what I'd { done. l dared not tell Jim the truth, and yet I couldn't bring myself to /: tell him a deliberate lie in so many words But I could arrange matters so he'd draw his own conclusions
 Wait a minute,'' I cried, wait a minute and you shall hear. I prom : iSed Aunt Mollie Pettingiu I'd call : her up within the hour and it's long past that. She may be waiting in for me-"
 I took down the receiver, gave the number and sat praying for a quick connection. A miracle gave it to me, and in another moment or two ] was telling Aunt Mollie the half-lieS that must serve for truth "I have the ring" I said ftYou ought to see the tableaux now My
  jewel in one hand and the orchid neg hgee you suspected in the other. How can I thank you?''
 Wait a minute," cried Aunt Mol lies voice from the other end of the wide. 'FWait while I tell Neddie he was right Neddie, Neddiei You were right, boy! Our Anne found her ring just as you said-rfght in the dress she was wearing when the jewel disappeared Wait a minute, T1tS f0-S n
 Then Uncle Ned's voice came over the wire:
 50 you got the ring, little girl Now, that's fine after all. And, as my bride said, there wasn't any thief
 'It was you who said that" I re- piled. thankful I could go right on equivocatfng- ''No, there isn't any thief And I'll sew the hem of my negligee very carefully right away. I can't tell you how grateful I am to you for the inspiration It's a terrible thing to judge people guilty even if they are, and when no one is actually guflty-it's too cruel to think about. So now I have my birth day gift-and no regrets
 Your birthday gift!" ejaculated Uncle Ned 'FWhy, this makes it a kind of double party, a second one now-''
 ~oh. I haven't had the great day yet,'' I laughed 'So I'll really have three gala days with my ring-the one when I got it today because found it again, and the one it cele- brates'
 Then a grateful good-by, and I | turned to Jim, who had flung himself l down on the chaise lounge and was | lying inert, with closed eyes.
 Now, aren't you glad I saved you | from handing that detective bureau a | wad of money" I asked.
 There was a queer, tense moment l before Jim replied. He kept his eyes shut, and I noticed the perpendicular 1 >frown between them as he spoke l jerkily.
 ''Sure am. especially as I'd have | felt several kinds of a fool when the | cop sleuthed it out in a hem He might have thought it a bit careless | and untidy for my wife to have | dragging around So you got the idea l from Uncle Ned? Isn't he the smart l old guy!"
 Hes an old darling.'' I said. And l I guess I'll run to him with my trou- bles every time have any, So be-
 ;.t me for being l a. poor SeamStreSS.'' 'Come here. Anne, and kiss me-" 1 commanded Jim huSkiIy. q love you | dear, more than I-reaHzed." As stopped to obey him he sat up | suddenly and pulled me down at his | side, holding me to him in rough | Triumph.
 You little fooII'' he chuckled. You utter little fool. So that pearl was | dragging around in the hem of that | \chinon fluff all the while you pleaded | Eith me to give the criminal a chance
 ou sure are one funny, little, senti- melRta1 little kid Come on now-ten a faow-whom did you suspect. Old | BooAie?''
 "JiN, don't you call me a fool again I cried Its terribly dis
 CTo Be CoutInued1
 -