The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-08-05
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CopniSht 1914. NEA Service In

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John Ainsley, a man Of education
and breeding, becomes master
crook-preying upon other thieves
At resort hotel he unfairly loses
$500 in golf bet with Ernest Van
tine, chief owner Of detective
agency--a coarse, boorish individual
Vantine is engaged to Miss ker-
nochan, daughter of wealthy re
tired broker.
Kernochan shows Ainsley a ring
an enormous ruby-a present to his
daughter. He had acquired the ruby
in setting claim against the estate
of a millionaire by the name of
Henry Adams. interviewing Adams
widow, Ainsley finds that the elder
ly woman's husband became indebt-
ed to Kernochan in a deal which APP
pears on the surface to have been a
swindle. ~
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
II am sorry" told her. And in.
deed | was. She was So courageous.
and her voice when she mentioned
her husbands name was so sad, that
my heart went out to her. have
known widows who would have be-
rated their husbands for leaving
them unprovided for, but Mrs, Adams
was not that kind. The memory of
her husband was her dearest posses
sion, infinitely more valuable than
the Grand Dukes jewel. felt a
wave Of sentiment engulfing me;
but / metaphorically swan to shore.
My business held no room for senti-
mcnt. And so l preached the real
reason for my call.
81 had hoped l said, "to obtain
photograph of the ruby ring. /
plan to illustrate my text"
waited for her reply; upon it
everything depended. And luck was
with me.
II have paste copy of the ring"
she told me. Henry had it made i'm
mediatcly upon his return to Ameri-
ca with the stone. You see"-and
her faded cheeks colored prcttily---
Il wasn't quite honest moment
ago.. l am countrywoman; but
still, am woman. And did want
to wear that ring. Everyone knew
that Henry owned it. and--one is as
silly at sixty as at sixteen. Sillier!
And yet the jewel was too precious.
So Henry had the copy made. and
once or twice wore it. I wonder if
all realities~are shams, and all shams
realities. Anyway, have the copy,
and if that would do you any good. l
am quite sure that you are welcome
to it,"
| turned my head away, lest she
observe the CLEAN in my eye. 1t
was with difficulty that l kept my
voice steady, as / assured her that l
would be most grateful if she would
lend me the imitation for few
weeks.
Half an hour later left her. For
the first time since had definitely
adopted my new profession, I felt
sick at heart. For Mrs. Adams had
insisted that stay to tea with her.
Knowing her poverty, I was loath to
add tho slightest expense to her
straitened budget. Yet it was not
that which made, me swallow her
food and drink with, effort; it was
the fact that this brave old lady, who
somehow made me think of russell
apple. wrinkled as to skin. but sound
and sweet within, thought me TO be
as honest as herself. She questioned
me about my life, my family, and
fed her lies. was sick and asham-
ed, and wrathful at the weakness
which made me feel this way when
l left her. l sent her the finest box
of candy the city could provide, yet
somehow! seemed to, feel that my
gift was an insult. For moment
was tempted to abandon my project;
then, my own self-disgust reused in
me an anger toward Kernochan.
For some things we need no proof
susceptible to analysis by the five
senses. A.. sixth sense tells us truth.
Just as child somehow knows truth,
by instinct, so we adults occasionally
preserve the gift of.childhood. say
that instinct lives within US all, the
heritage. Of. "a thousand. generations,
and that we are fools who disdain it
and prefer our lying senses: H. knew,
as definitely as, though. Il had wit
messed the performance. Of. the chi
canery, that Kernochan had swindled
Adams widow. He deserved to lose
the ruby. ~ .,,.s.e, ~, ..<+t, 80
Thsre. was ,samathing else, too.
Vantine. ,wass,a famous detective. as
wen as boorish cheat! xAt least, he
had inherited o. great, detectives
agency. He. hsd thought me stupid
gull; IL would afford mo certain
peculiar satisfaction il repaid his
opinion of me by taking his fianoec's
ring. L do not mind losing wager
to "a gentleman; but man who will
.inveigle strangers into unfair specu
lation, is cad and deserves punish
ment. x, j :.
Besides, if I, must he honest and
it., affords me, who amos: thief, a pc
sculiar joy to iedltek nysalH in these
memoirs, in thee Ynsaeaal, luxury Of
,honesty-*thes Grande Dnle' ! ruIy was
WORTH. three hpmAradA 3hoissapd dol.
lars. I know 20 arguments. that
cApld seemftg pOtaat iofme.