Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1907-05-08
Kitty and
The Cabinet.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
BY JOHN BEAUMONT.
pyright, 1857, by Homer sprasao.

you think I stole the ring why don't
you say so and search me?"
Vincent" cried Elvia. "how can you
say such thingr'
"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 Noailes
soothingly, "but 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. Uc
was boy then, but even then IN love
with Elvia. and Miss Celeste had high
er ideas Of matrimony for her very
attractive niece. 81 H.N
This evening the two had been ex-
amining ring, and somehow, none
knew how, it had disappeared. They
had hunted all over for it. but 1t could
not be found. and 1t was to be expect
ed that Miss Celcste's acid tongue
would but thinly veil her suspicious
thoughts. f,l.#
"If Mr.. Chester's conscience is un-
easy" chuckled Miss Celeste. II can
understand that he takes to himself
purely impersonal speeches"
Vincent turned to Mr.. Noailes. "Will
you search me. sir2" he asked.
Nonsense" cried his host. Celeste,
for heavens sake keep still. My boy,
no one believes that you would steal
anything-excepto one thing"
He patted Elvia's shoulder meaning
ly to explain his last sentence and
thereby added fuel to Miss Celeste's
flame. I'D.
II don't see why he should not be
searched" she fumed. "The ring was
here 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. II would as soon
accuse myself Of crime as to believe
it Of YOU" tfH
"Well. IL you won't" said Vincent
briskly, ''I'll have to do 1t myself. I
guess"
Rapidly he turned out the contents
table. John Noailes sprang forward as
though to stop him, but Ely!a laid a
OBTAINING hand upon his shoulder.
ut 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 pock-
cts; then Mr.. NoaiIes stepped forward.
"This should satisfy you, Celeste" he
said sternly. II want to tell you that
If you ever raise the question again
shall not condone your second offense."
"Very WELL" said Miss Celeste, with
shrug Of her shoulders. "Since |
seem to be go much in the way here
suppose that Mr.. Crawford will per
NIT me to retire" X
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.
"Win you drop In tomorrow even
mgr she asked. I'VE shall probably
be able to tell you then where we
found the ring"
II am afraid that cannot get
around" he said uncomfortabiy. az
you find 1t, will you writer
won't you come over2" pleaded FL
via. but Vincent shook his head. He
had been shocked by the accusation.
and not even the belief Of Elvia and
her father could salve his wounded
feelings yet. 1t seemed almost as
though he were passing out Of Elvia's
life.
Up in her room Miss Celeste was sit
ting at her writing table while her
busy pen covered sheet after sheet Of
note paper. Not until she had written
dozen pages did she cease her work.
and then, going over to her bureau,
she unlocked the upper drawer and
drew therefrom paper covered book
with gaudy title page. From the in
side Of this she clipped coupon. which
she attached to the letter before slip
ping 1t into an envelope.
A year before while visiting the city
she had been tempted to visit vaude-
vile theater at which a man and Ho-
man known as the X-Rays were Great
ing n sensation with some mind read
ing accomplishments. Always inclined
to the supernatural, she had been
greatly Interested by the Rays accom-
plishment and had slipped back tho
next afternoon TO purchase 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
writing for advice as to the where