The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1904-12-15

50 49, 80 80
Adelaide was older than Bob. Some
way she had always blamed her for
the romance. and had looked upon Bob
ms nm lmprcssionable %youngstcr. But
II he had cheriahcd her letters and
keepsakes. then he must have loved
her. Adelaide was engaged 10 old Mr..
Thurston now-Coppcr Thurston. the
boys called him. Perhaps. after all,
Bob had been jealous OF the copper.
made millions, and had married her I'm
a III OF piquc.
She turned from the window with
sudden determination. IL lacked half
nm hour OF dinner time. A lonely din
ncr FOR a bride. she thought. as she
went upstairs. her first New Years
eve. Perhaps by the time the mid.
night bells rang out she might be max.
ing a few strange resolutions for the
coming year.
IL was dark on the garnet stairs. She
stopped at the door OF Bob's dressing
room AMI took a candlcstIck from the
mantcl. II was n wedding gift--a Jap
ancss bronze griffin. with outsprcad
wings and spiral. sinuous tail.
As she held IL TO the gas jet TO light
the candle something fell on the rug
at her feet aud she picked Il mp. IL
was n small. old fashioned ordinary
brass key. She looked at Il hesitating.
~. IL had never been ON Bob's ring.
she knew. The space between the
wings OF the bronze griffin was a clev-
or idea FOR concealmcnt.
She set her lips closely and went mp
the garnet stairs with candlcstick In
one hand and the key In the other.
Half way, there was a turn at n small
landing, aud IL was ut the angle made
10y this that she had found the little
low door leading TO the catch ALL"
She opened IL now and entered. half
closing the door after her.
The desk was pushed 20 one side
with some trunks and boxes. IL was a
quaint, antique affair OF mahogany. So.
yerely Colonial In style. The main
body was cresccnt-shaped. supported
on ~hand-carycd legs. There were four
drawers. I'VE on each side. and n small.
low cabinet OF pigcon-holes on top.
Suzanne stood motlonless before IL
for several minutes, trying Co make up
her mind to insert the key. When she
did so, In the lock or the nearest top
drawer, her hand tremb'cd slightly and
she held her breath. The key turned
easily ana the drawer was ready for
Inspection, but she did not open Il.
Thoughts whirled like the futtcring
snowtiakes through her mind. ana she
stood again irresolute.
She had told Bcss that she believed
absolutely In Bob. Higher than her
love for him had been her unfaltcrlng
belief and confidence In him. IL was
the very keystone OF her marriage
faith. and yet, at the first blow OF sus.
picion, IL gave way.
Bess was n child. with the impulslve
Judgment OF a child. She had been
wrong 10 Eel tell her OF the desk.
wrong to discuss Bob or his motives
with her at all. or 20 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 IL I'm the hurry and excite.
ment Of the wedding. she must be-
llevc In him. The mere fact that they
were married did not give her n coro-
ncr's right 10 hold a post-mortem over
his dead past.
There was the sound OF n footstcp
! on the stairs. and she relocked the
drawer quickly.
IN be down In n 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 1t.
Its only !, Sue. What on earth arc
you doing in there!"
she stood mute and motIonless as he
bent his head and entered the low
door. 1t was Bob. aEd he was sailing
and happy, his clear eyes seeking FOR
the glad welcome he expscted.
II ony ua down for tonight he
added. II couldn't let you face the
first New Year alone, sweetheart"
Ills arms reached for Ter. but she
shook her head and handed him the
key.
II haven't used IT," she said, broken
ly. But, oh, Bob, I came so near n.
You don't have to tell me what's In the
| old thing. Ill believe In you just the
same, and / don't want Co know
Know whatT" he demanded. Don't
| cry, Sue" He drew her 10 him tender.
ly. whats up. anyhow
That desk" she sobbcd. Its lock
ed"
us IT." lie stared at the dcsE In
~bewIlderment. well. the key was on
my mantel. dear. You found IL all
right, didn't you? Couldn't you unlock
III"
Il could, but-but I don't want To
know your private affairs" She tried
10 draw herself away, but he took her
hands and held them from her tear