The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-21
THE EVENING STOR r
KItty and the Cablnet.
(By John Beaumont.)


(By John Beaumont.)
See here said Chester holly. II
you think L stole the ring. why don't
you say so and search me?"
Vincent cried Elvia. How can
you say such thing 2"
I'm simply putting into words
what Miss Celeate has been limiting
for the last ten minutes" he cried.
Celeste may have been unfortunate
in her remarks" said John Noailes
soothingly, but she meant nothing OF
that sort"
Vincent Chester laughed. Ever
since Miss Celeste Noailes descended
upon his brothers household at the
death of his wife, she had fought Vim
cent. He was a boy then but even
then in love with Elvia and Miss Ce-
leste had higher ideas of matrimony
for her very attractive niece.
This evening the two had been ex-
aiming a ring and somehow, none
knew how, 1t had disappeared They
had hunted all over for it but it could
not be found and it was to be expect
would but thinly veil her suspicious
thoughts.
IF Mr.. Chester's conscience is un-
easy" chuckled Miss Celeste, I can
understand that he takes to himself
purely impersonal speeches.
Vincent turned to Mr.. Noailes. "Will
you search me, sir?" he asked.
Nonsense cried his host. Gee
boy, no one believes that you would
steal anything-except one thing"
He patted Elvia's shoulder mean
ingly to explain his last sentence, and
thereby added fuel to Miss Celeste's
flame.
Il don't see why he should not be
search ed" she fumed. The ring was
here a moment ago and now it Is
gone.'
ask Won to search me-"
My boy, you were not day old
when I first took you in my arms,
said Mr.. Noailes. Il would as soon
accuse myself of crime as to believe
it of you"
oven. if you WON'T said Vincent
briskly, 'I'll have to do it myself.
guess"
Rapidly he turned out the contents
of his pockets, spreading them on the
table. John Noailes sprang forward
as though to stop him but Elvia laid
a OBTAINING hand upon his shoulder.
at is better so,' she whispered. 1T
Is the only way to convince auntie,"
They stood silent until the things
has been returned to Crawford's peck
cts then Mr.. Noailes stepped forward.
''This should satisfy you, Celeste,
he said sternly. 81 want to tell you
that if you ever raise the question
again l shall not condone your sec
ond offense."
every WE'LL" said Miss celeste with
a shrug of her shoulders. 'Since I
seem to be so much in the way here
suppose that Mr.. Crawford Will per-
NIT me to retire"
She swept grandly from the room
leaving the three to face each other
uncomfortably. All knew that Miss
Celeste was not satisfied and were
fearful of her next outbreak.
Each tried to appear at ease, but
the pleasure of the visit was gone and
presently Crawford made an excuse
for taking his departure. Elvia fol-
lowed him to the door.
Twill you drop in tomorrow even
ing?" she asked. 1--WE shall probably
be able to tell you then where we
found the ring"
II am afraid that can not get
around" he said uncomfortably. IF
you find it will you writer
won't you come over?" pleaded
Elvia, but Vincent shook his head. He
had been shocked by the accusati
and not even the belief of Elvia and
her father could salve his wounded
though he were passing out of Elvia's
life.
Up in her room Miss Celeste was
sitting at her writing table while her
busy pen covered sheet after sheet of
note paper. Not until she had writ
EN- a dozen pages did she cease her |
work and then going over to her bu-
eau she unlocked the upper drawer |
and drew therefrom a paper covered |
book with a gaudy title page. From. |
he inside of this she clipped coupon |
which she attached to the letter be- |
fore slipping it into an envelope.
A year before, while visiting the city /
she had been tempted to visit a vaude-
Vile theater at which a man and wo-
nan known as the X-Rays were Great
ng a sensation with some mind reading
Always inclined to
he supernatural, she had been greatly
impressed by the Rays accomplish
nent and had slipped back the next
afternoon to purchase some of the
books which gave her the right to ask
questions by mail.
suited the oracle and now she was
writing for advice as to the where
lbouts of the ring. 1t was we'll for her
aith that she was not present at the
answering of her question.
Two young men sat before a table
n a cheap theatrical boarding house
when messenger entered with a pack
lge of letters to add to the pile on the
al BILE One of them caught the thick
,lue envelope up.
Here's another whole book to be an
wered," he laughed at he slit open the
over. Twelve pages" he gasped as
lie turned over the closely written
pages.
'She must want her moneys worth"
Whats the question:" laughed the
ther. Love or theft?"
Something about a ring" chuckled
he 6rof he read the first ara ora nh |