The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-08-04
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D Copyright 1914 NEA Service Inc
BUTTON, BUTTON
Copyright 1914

which had never been used-I had
only gift for sleight- hand, as
Slduously cultivated during my
youth. That contemplate, accom-
pllshment, however, had been suf-
f1clent, coupled with quick wit, to
enable me to do what a supercrook
had failed to achieve.
| Yet, with all my contempt for the
intelligence Of the police, had
vowed that l would, if possible, con-
| fine my efforts to fields in which
the police had no concern. | would
rob thieves. But here, at the very
outset of my new career, found
myself planning to steal from one
who was not a thief. Pride entered
INTO the affair. Kernochan and
Nantine thought me wealthy fool
who could be rocked with impunity.
would endeavor to snow them that
they had been mistaken. And in
furtherance of that endeavor, I
made call upon Mrs. Henry Adams.
] found her in modest boarding
house on Beacon Hill. l introduced
my self as one who planned writing
book on historic jewels. Two DAYS
OF hasty reading in the Public Lii
brary had qualified me to speak
learnedly upon the subject of pre-
clous stones wisely enough, at
least, to deceive any but a jeweler.
Furthermore, as l explained to Mrs.
Adams, my book was to deal with
the romance of jewels, rather than
with technicalities.
But why come to me, Mr.. Aims
ley?" she asked.
you are the owner of the Grand
Dukes ruby" | replied.
Net any longer she told me-"
shaking her white head.
assumed an expression of sur
PRISE. II understood that your hus-
band had acquired it," said /.
That is true; but since my hus-
bands death, the stone has passed
from my possession" she informed
me. Then, in response to my ques
tlon'ng look, she told me the things
that | wished to know. my hus-
band and |, Mr.. Ainsley, have al
ways been simple people. We never
expected to own such thing as the
Grand Dukes ruby, and we acquired
it almost accidentally. NV husband
was broker. He was in Italy. ar
ranging for the flotation of some
Italian bank-stock in this country
"hhe there, he met the Duke, who
was in great need of money. He!
wished to sell the ruby, and experts
assured my husband that the price.
one hundred and fifty thousand dol
'ars, was hardly half the jewels real
value. My husband had consider
able cash available at that time. 1t
ooked like a good investment. and
10 he bought it. But neither of rs
EVER intended that should wear1
It. l am afraid" and she smiled
l am not the
ype OF woman who could success
uily wear such a ring"
agreed with her, although | pro-
ested otherwise. But she laughed
t me.
Il am a simple countrywoman.
ar. Alnsley. | never could be a
rand lady, and never wanted to be
ne. And Henry, my husband, was
countryman. In search of a liy-
hg, Henry came to Boston when he
'as boy; he always hoped to save
nough to buy farm. You know
ow those things are. BY the time
lenry had ten thousand dollars, he
'as involved in business. Bv the
lme he possessed one hundred
thousand. he was more deeply in
olved in affairs. Then, when his
ortune amounted to more than
llillon, his entanglements were so
reat that his withdrawal from
uslness might have injured scores
/ other people. We bought the
arm, but how seldom we saw it,
nd then, just before he died, he
etermined definitely to get out of
he city. l don't understand bust
ess, Mr.. Ainsley, and SO l cannot
I'll you just how it was that Hen.
Us estate, which l had thought to
worth at least three. million
ollars, amounted, when ali the
aims were settled, to less than
venty thousand.
INV uC udu cuteTGu lnJO some
'rt of an arrangement with another
roker named Kernochan; and Ker-
ochan had papers that seemed to
'ove that Henry was entirely re-
'onsible for certain vast debts in
'rred under that arrange
er gray eyes cleaned. | sensed
'e fire within this sweet and SIM
e lady.
You say those papers seemed to
owe certain things" l commented.
Is was wrong" she corrected her
H. Il understand law no more
an L understand business. And
e courts decided that, Mr.. Kerno-
ans claim was just. So it is not
coming in me to. discuss the mat
r. But, she smiled again
GU see that no longer own the
by"