Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1904-12-12
And Ross had sDOken of Adela iue

| summer engagement, SIZE Te'htillbeTeu
Adelaide was older than Bob. Some
way she had always blamed her for
the romance, and had looked upon Bob
as an impressionable youngster. But
IL he had cherished her letters and
keepsakes, then he must have loved
her Adelaide was engaged to old Mr.
Thurston now-COpper ThurstOn, the
boys called him. Perhaps, after all,
Bob had been Jealous of the copper
made millions. and had married her in
a fit of pique.
She turned from the window with
sudden determination. 1t lacked half
an hour Of dinner time. 4 lonely din
ner for bride. she thought. as she
went upstairs. her first New Years
eve. Perhaps by the time the mid
night bells rang ont she might be max
ing a few strange resolutions for the
coming year.
1t was dark on the garnet stairs. She
stopped at the door of Bob's dressing
room and took n candlestick from the
mantel. 1t was wedding gift-a Jap
anese bronze griffin. with outspread
| w lIISS anu SI'iiul, SiuuOuS tdli.
AS she held ii to the gas jet to light
the candle something fell on the rug
at her feet and she picked it up. 1t
was small. old-fashioned ordinary
brass key. She looked at 1t hesitating
ly. 1t had never been on Bob's ring.
she knew The space between the
wings Of the bronze griffin was a clev
err idea for concealment.
She set her lips closely and went up
the garnet stairs with candlestick In
one hand and the key in the other.
Half way there was q turn at small
landing. and it was at the angle made
by this that she had found the little
low door leading to the "catch all"
She opened 1t now and entered, half
| closing the door after her
The desk was pushed to one side
with some trunks and boxes. 1t was n
quaint, antique affair OF 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 small,
| low cabinet OF pigeon-hO on top
Suzanne stood mOtionless before Il
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 trembled slightly and
| she held her breath. The key turned
easily and the drawer was ready for
inspection. but she did not open 1t.
Thoughts whirled like the fluttering
snowtiakes through her mind. and she
stood again irresolute.
She had told Bess that she believed
absolutely In Rob Higher than her
love for him had been her unfaltering
belief and confidence In him. 1t was
the very Keystone of her marriage
faith, and yet. at the first blow of sus-
picion. II gave way.
Bess was child. with the impulsive
Judgment of child. She had been
wrong to even tell her of the desk,
wrong to discuss Bob or his 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 the desk against
the curiosity of the servants and had
forgotten 1t in the hurry and excite
ment Of the wedding. She must be-
lieve in him. The mere fact that they
were married did not give her a coro-
ner's right to hold a post mortem over
his dead past.
There was the sound Of footstep
on the stairs, and she relocked the
drawer quickly.
"I'll be down in a moment, Nora"
she called. You may serve dinner"
The voice that answered was famil-
lar and masculine. She nearly let the
candle fall in her surprised recogni-
ton of it.
ITS only l. Sue. What on earth are
you doing in there?'
She stood mute and motionless as he
bent his head and entered the low
door. 1t was Bob. and he was smiling
and happy. his clear eyes seeking for
the glad welcome he expected.
II only ran down for tonight he
added. Il couldn't let you face the
first New Year alone sweetheart"
His arms reached for her but she
shook her head and handed him the
key.
Il haven't used it," she said. broken
ly. But, oh, Bob. came so near II.
You don't have to tell me what's in the
old thing. I'll believe in you just the
same. and don't want to know
Know WHAT" he demanded. Don't
cry, Sue" He drew her TO him tender
ly. whats up. anyhow"
That desk" she sobbed ITS lock-
ed"
rs it," He stared at the desk in
bewilderment. well. the key was Oh
my mantel. dear. You found it all
right, didn't you? Couldn't you unlock
IT."
II could, but-but | don't want to
know your private affairs" She tried
to draw herself away. but he took her
hands and held them from her tear
wet face so that she could see her
eyes.
Sue, darling" he said. You blessed
little Mrs. Bluebeard. that desk Is a
wedding present to Won from Grand.