Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1907-03-26
Kitty and
The Cabinet.
BY JOHN BEAUMONT.
Copyright, 1907, by Homer Sprague.


you tE1nK stole the ring why uOH
you say so and search me?"
"Yincent," cried Elvia. "how can you
say such thing?
"Tm simply putting into words what
Miss Celeste has been hitting for the
last ten minutes" he cried.
Celeste may have been unfortunate
Ia 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. He
was boy then, but even then in love
with Elvia, and Miss Celeste had high
er ideas of matrimOny for her very
attractive niece.
This evening the two had been' ex
aiming ring, and somehow, none
knew how, it had disappeared. They
had hunted all over for it, but it could
not be found, and it was to be expect
ed that Miss Celeste's acid tongue
would but thinly veil her suspicious
thoughts
IF Mr. Chester's conscience is I'M
easy" chuckled Miss Celeste, Il can
understand that he takes to himself
purely impersonal speeches."
Vincent turned to Mr. Noaies Twill
you search me. sir?' he asked
NONSENSE" cried his host Celeste,
for heavens sake keep still. My boy,
no one believes that you would steal
anything except one thing"
He patted Elvia's shoulder meaning
~ to explain his last sentence and
thereby added fuel to Miss Celeste's
fame
Il 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 I
ask you to search me-"
My boy, you were not u day old
when 1 first took you in my arms
said Mr.. Noailes Il would as soon
accuse myself of crime as to believe
it Of you"
"Well, if you won't said Vincent
briskly, "Ill have to do it myself, I
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
had 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 second offense."
VERY well,' said Miss Celeste, with
a shrug of her shoulders. Since [
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
lowed him to the door.
"Will you drop in tomorrow even
ingY' she asked. I'VE shall probably
be able to tell you then where we
found the ring"
'I am afraid that l cannot get
around he said uncomfortably. IF
you find it, will you writer
won't you come over" pleaded Ell
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 Elvias
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
a 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 a gaudy title page. From the in
side of this she clipped coupon, which
she attached to the letter before slip
ping 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-
man known as the X-Rays were Great
ing a 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 the
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
abouts of the ring 1t was well for
her faith that she was not present at
the answering of her question