The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1903-12-29


The lady. alone in her car
rage, was on her way to the house of
a friend with whom she intended to
spend the evening. 1t may have been
about half past O'Clock.
MARTIN" she called to the coachman
suddenly. drive home again.
Mrs. Willard could bring clearly into
view Il jewel casket containing some
thousands of dollars worth of dia
mond ornamentD. but she could not
see Mrs. Lee Willard in the act of put
ting it away in the cunningly devised
hiding place in the head of the quaint.
old fashioned couch that stood by the
north wall of the apartment.
No member of the family was at
home except her niece. Miss Amy Bar
ton, who had gone to her room with a
headache. and Mrs. Wizards maid
would probably have joined the other
servants in the rear of the house imme
diately after her mistress departure.
The butler was 4 new man.
When the carriage drew up abreast
the door Mrs. Willard Sprang out be-
fore the spry foOtman could offer his
assistance, and at that instant she
deserted a dark figure hastily with
drawing into the mouth of the narrow
court that ran along the north side of
the house.
"Who is there?" she cried.
The figure seemed to hesitate and
then came forward into the light Of
the avenue.
1T is /, Mrs. Willard" said this sus-
picious character, lifting his hat.
''Tom Lawrence" exclaimed the lady
as If he had been q schOolboy, al
though there really was little difference
in their years. What were you doing
there?''
II stepped in cut of the wind to get
light" he replied.
"A light for what?' she demanded
''For my cigar, of course" he answer
ed, with trace of embarrassment
1--WE thrown it away now"
She looked at him for ten seconds
closely.
II want to talk to YOU" said she AT
last. Come into the house. Oh that's
all right" she added, seeing his look OF
surprise. "IOu won't see Amy, though
upon my word. l believe you would
have done so if l had not returned sc
socn.'
"YOur husband
lis out Of town." she interrupted
"But he would approve my course i
he were here. He won't let you cal
on Amy
because i haven't enough money"
because YOU haven't enough stabil
ity of character" answered the lad,
severely though, as before, she spOk,
in a tone too low for the ears of he
liveried servitors. But come. | hay,
n reason for haste"
She assembled the steps Just as TIT
door opened in response to the foot
mans ring. Passing the butler. sh
turned keen eye upon him, for some
thing in his appearance struck her a
unusual and vaguely disquictinG. $
much so indeed that she asked hil
sharply what was the matter,
IL don't know, num- he replied. =
do feel i'll, mum, but it's only Just thi
inStant-a little bit-er-d iZZy like"
"lou have been drinking, | al
afraid
A sip of beer, mum, with my din
ner" he replied, the same as is Il
lowed the other Scrvants-no more.
do assure YOU"
Mrs. Willard turned away. at til
same time commanding Mr.. l.aWrcn,
by move of her hand to wait her l.,
turn. AS she ran up the stairs she III,
glimpse of Miss Amy Barton in I'll
hall above. The young lady seemed
be fully and very bccomingly drrSSo
and to have quite recovered from h,
indisposition. Mrs. Willard found Il
door of her dressing room open. and IL
place was in disorder.
She ran across the room. The lit
secret nook in the head of the coue
was open. CaSket and jewels We're Gon
Mrs. Willard was not an cNcitab
woman. and her self command
emergencies was excellent
where have YOU been since | WEI
OUT she demanded of the butler.
81 never got out of my chair. muI
till you came back" said he.
What makes you talk so strangely
she asked. You are drunk; You ha'
been asleep
Il protest that it amt SO, num-"
answered. With tears in his eyes. II
sick. I'm taken sudden with som
thing, l don't know what"
Then he suddenly regained his st
control and got upon his feet.
whats wrong what's wrOl
num?' he cried eXcitedly.
"All my diamonds are gone
"But-but," stammercd Lawren,
''this man could see that door fro
here. 1t isn't possible
"In view of his condition. she
gan.
II was all right groaned the butt
81 was as we'll and wide awake as e,
in my life till l got up to let you
Nobody went near that door or