The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1904-09-24
or the bronze grimm was i clever IL.

or the bronze GRIM was i clever :-e=
for concealment.
She set her lips closely and went up
the garnet stairs with the candlestick
In one hand and the key in the other
Halfway there VS. q turn at a snlan
landing. and 1t vas Mt the angle made
by this that she had found the little
low door leading to the "catch ALI"
She opened it now and entered, half
closing the door after her.
The desk was pushed to one side
with some trunks and boxes. 1t was a
quai"t. antique affair CT mahogany. Sc
verely colonial in style. The main
body was crescent shaped. supported
on hand carved legs. There were -four
drawers. two on each side. and a
small. low cabinet of p~igeonholes on
top.
Suzanne stood motionless before 1t
for several minutes. trying to make
up her mind to insert the key. When
she did so in the lock of the nearest
top drawer. her hand tresnblel slight
ly. and she held her breath. The key
turned easily. and the drawer was
ready for inspection. but she did not
open it. Thoughts whir.ed like the
futtering snowflakes through her mind.
and she stood again irresolute.
She had told Bess that she believed
love for him had b& he unfalter-
ing belief ana confidence in him. 1t
was the very Keystone Of her marriage
faith. and yet at the first blow of sus-
piclon it gave way.
Bess was a child. with the impulsive
Judgment of a child. She Lad been
wrong to yer tell Ler of the desk.
wrong to discuss Bob or Lis motives
with her at all or to listen for an in
slant to any doubt of him. even in jest.
She must have faith and wait. He
had probably locked TIE desk against
tie curiosity of the servants and Lad
forgotten it in tie hurry and excite
ment of the wedding. She must be-
lieve in him. The mere fact that they
were married did not give Ler a coro-
ner's right to hold a postmortem over
his dead past.
There was the sound of q footstcp
on the stairs. and she relotked the
drawer quickly.
I'm be down in q moment. Nora"
lie called. You may seve dinner"
The voice that answered WIS fan..l-
lar and masculine. sic nearly let the
candle fall in her surprised rccogni-
ton of it.
ITS only |. Sue. What on earth are
you doing in there?"
She stood mute and motionless as he
bcnt his head and entered The iow door.
Happy. his clear eyes seeking for the
glad welcome lie expected.
Il only ran down for tonight" he
added. Il couldn't let you face the
first new year alone. sweetheart"
HIS arms reached for Ter. but Size
shock her head and handed him the
key.
Il haven't used It," she said broken
ly. "Eut. oh. Fob. | came so near 1t.
Yoa cont have to tell me what's in
tie old thing. I'll believe you Just
tie same. AMI don't want to know"
Know whatT" he demanded. Don.
cry. Sue" lie drew her to Lin ten
derby. Whats up. anyway
THAT desk" she sobbed. ITS lock-
ed
is it," lie stared at the desk in
bewilLermcnt. We'll. the key was on
ny mantel. dear. You found 1t all
right. diGn't you? Couldn't you I'M
lock it,"
II could. but-but | don't wish to
know your private affairs" She tried
TO Graw herself away. bat he took Eer
hands and held them from her tear
wet face so that he could see her eyes.
"Sue, darling" he said. ''you blessed
little Mrs. Blue5earl. that desk is a
wedding present to you from Grand