The Washington herald., 1907-01-19
AND THE CABINET
BY JOHN BEAUMONT.

BY JOHN B
See herer' said Chester. hotly. IF you
think I stole the ring, why don't you say
So and search me?'
Vincent" cried Elvia. How can you
say such a thing?"
I'm simply putting into words what
Miss Celeste has been limiting for the last
ten minutes" he cried.
Celeste may have been unfortunate in
her remarks said John NoaiIes. sooth-
ingly. bat she meant nothing Of that
sort"
Vincent Chester laughed. Ever since
Miss Celeste Noailes descended upon her
brothers household at the death Of his
wife she had fought Vincent. He was a
bov then. but even then IN love with Ell
via. and Miss Celeste had higher ideas
Of matrimony for her very attractive
niece
This evening the two had been exam
lining the ring and somehow. none knew
how, it had disappeared. They had
hunted all over for il, but it could not be
found, and it was 10 be expected that
Miss CeIeste's acid tongue would but
thinly veil her suspicious thoughts.
If Mr.. Chester's conscience is uneasy"
chuckled Miss Celeste, I can understand
that he takes to himself purely imper-
sonal speeches
Vincent turned to Mr. Noailes. 'Wm
you search me, slr?" he asked.
Nonsense" cried his host. Celeste. for
heavens sake. keep stiH Ny boy, no one
believes that YOU would steal anything
except one thing"
He patted Elvia's shoulder meaningly
to explain his last sentence. and thereby
added fuel to Miss Celeste's flame.
Il don't see why he should not be
searched" she fumed The ring was
here a moment ago. and now it is gone
You see, said Vincent. Again ask
you TO search me"
My boy. you were not a day old when
first took you in my arms" said Mr..
Noailes. I would as soon accuse myself
Of crime as to believe it Of you"
Well, If you won't" said Vincent
briskly. 'Tn 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 OBTAINING
hand upon his shoulder.
1T is better So" she whispered. "It is
the only way to convince auntie"
They stood silent until the things had
been returned to Crawford's pockets. Then
Mr.. Noailes stepped forward.
This should satisfy you, Celeste" he
so -. .rr7EH~ a.-rF
you ever raise the question again l shall
not cOndone your second offense"
Very WELL" said Miss Celeste. with
shrug Of her shoulders. Since / seem to
be so much in the way here I suppose that
Mr.. Crawford Will permit me 70 retire "
She swept grandly from the room. leav-
ing the three 10 face each other uncom-
fortably. 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 followed him
to the door.
Will you drop in tomorrow evening""
she asked. we shall probably be able
10 tell you then where we found the
ring"
4 am afraid that l cannot get around"
he said, uncOmfOrtably If you find it.
will you writer
Wont you come over?" pleaded Elvia
But Vincent shook his head He had been
shocked by the accusation. and not even
the belief cf Elvia and her father could
salve his wounded feelings yet. II seemed
almost as 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 written a dozen pages
did she cease her work, and then going
over 20 her bureau she unlocked the
upper drawer and drew therefrom paper
covered book with gaudy title page
From the inside of this she clipped cou-
pon, which she attached TO the letter be-
fore slipping II into an envelope.
A year before. while visiting the city
she had been tempted to visit q vaudc-
vile theater at which a man and woman
known as the X-Rays were creating q
sensation with some mind-reading accom-
plisrments Always inclined 10 the super
natural. she had been greatly impressed
by the Rays accomplishments, and had
slipped back the next afternoon to pur-
chase some of the books which gave her
the right to ask questions by mail
once or twice since then she had con
suited the oracle, and now she was writ
ing for advice as to the whereabouts OF
the ring. 1t was we'll for her faith that
she was not present at the answering Of
her question.
Two young men sat before table in
a cheap theatrical boarding house when
a messenger entered with a package of
letters to add TO the pile on the table
one OF them caught the thick blue en-
velope up.
Here's another whole book to be an
swered," ne laughed, as he slit open the
cover. Twelve pages" he gasped. as he
turned over the closely written pages
she must want her moneys worth -
What's the question: laughed the
other Love or theft"
Something about a ring" chucklcd the
first, as he read the first paragraph
Listen At several crises in my life. "
he read, have turned to you for ad-
vice and YOU have never failed me. Now.
in sore distress Of mind, | come d you
for advice rs TO ring which I have rea-
son to believe was stolen. I viii acquaint
you with the facts in the
cut it, urged the other. Just use the