Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-06-19

from my anxiety" said I. your
| money is gone!"
shall never forget the look of re-
lief that overspread her features.
"Oh!" she said, "oh!'' and suddenly
sat down and hid her face in her
hands. ST thought something had
happened to mother or to Waldemar,
or the lad. I thought-you can't tell
how much you have relieved my
mind. Only the money. Please don't
brighten me that way again."
ct seemed to me the worst thing
in the world"
"Why?"
Because you might suspect me
or-or some one in the house. I
| haven't an idea where it is, but I
know it's gone"
"We1l. it does rather complicate
matters. I suppose I'll have to stay
until you find it.''
81 suppose so, and that's worse
| than all"
you're very complimentary"
| laughed Miss Dacres. "Wel1, of
course you can understand that I
cannot afford to go away without
my money. I was counting on that
| to pay my board for ever SO long.
You can see that, can't your"
eyes, can see that, of course.
You don't think for a moment that I
have taken it, do your" I cried, the
tears coming to my eyes.
"Your face is as good as a Trust
| Company" said she, laughing and
| showing her white teeth. ssNo, I
should never dream of accusing you.
In fact, IEthink it's dreadful to ac-
cuse anyone. Have you any plan to
go upon?"
| seNo." said I, "unless I consult the
police"
81 wouldn't do that yet" said she.
perhaps it's only mislaid. My idea
is that the old lady above stairs took
it to brighten YOU
"She couldn't get it," said I. "She
can't get out of her bed alone"
ooh, can't she? Tell that to the
marine-I mean, do not agree with
you. She has given me evidence
enough this morning that she can
and will get out of bed when oc-
casion offers.'
"Absurd!'' said I. "You don't
know Aunt Jane Mary"
| "And I'm sure you DON'T" said she.
"What do you mean"
"Oh, nothing" said she.
"Well, you'll have to remain, sup
pose, for the present." said I.
s'I'll see about that she answered.
cit depends on how you treat me.
I'm sure I'm very good to stay when
I hadn't done anything to cause you
such distrust of me-"
81 must have your room swept to-
| morrow said I. "Can you go out
| for a while?''
ST don't know why my room should
be swept tomorrow. I've been here
only "a hours all told. Besides, I
don't want that little vixen"-she
nodded her head towards the kitchen
Fin my room.'
'You came so suddenly, and your
shoes, you remember, were muddy"
I thought she gave an impatient jerk
of the shoulders at my remark, but
she said nothing.
mo, I can't sweep your room to-
morrow, after all. I must go to the
funeral. I forgot that"
''Whose? Oh, yes, know"
At about six o'clock I came down
and found the parlor door open and
|
the freedom of some one, I knew
not who, I went in at the door
There I found Mr. Beldon sitting,
reading the Star Union. He jumped
up as I came in, and stood while
said:
care you ready for your tea now?'
"Yes,' said he, ''that's what I'm
waiting for" I preceded him into
the dining-room, where light meal
had been laid. He seated himself
saying, First rate! Just what
like!" and fell to.
you seem to have got over your
horror of my boarder," said I, tc
make conversation.
'tHow is that?'' said he, looking VI
: quickly.
'sWhy, when I drove past here this
morning. going to the Hall, I saw yor
apparently in deep conversation with
her.
''Was that your other boarder?
thought it was one of the family.
asked her how soon she thought yor
would get back"
"She said you posed as the lock
smith"
ooh. mol she couldn't have sale
that
"Well, she said she thought yo,
were the 1ocksmith."
THAT'S a different matter. VERY
complimentary, I'm sure. Now, IAN
other cup of that nice tea, and In
off to old Haight's dungeon. Yo,
don't know how he works us fel
lows"
l I saw him run lightly down tn
? steps in the dusk, jump on hi
l wheel and spin down the road