The Monte Vista journal., 1907-01-05

herseli by rummaging while he was
away. Rummaging! That meant hunt.
ing In the garret and running the risk
of discovering the desk.
And Bess had spoken of Adelaide
Clifford. There had been talk of n
| summer engagement, she remembered,
Adelaide was older than Bob. Some
way she had always blamed her for
the romance. and had looked upon Bob
as an impressionable youngster. But
IL he had cherished her letters and
keepsakes, then he mus, have loved
her, Adelaide was engaged to old Mr..
Thurston now-Copper Thurston, the
boys called him. Perhaps. after all,
Bob had been jealous of the copper.
made millions. and had married her in
fit OF piGuc.
She turned from the window with
sudden determination. /, lacked half
an hour OF dinner time. 4 lonely din.
ner for bride. she thought. as she
went upstairs. her first New Years
eve. Perhaps by the time the midnight
bells rang out she might be making a
few strange resolutions for the coming
year.
II was dark on the garret stairs.
She stopped al the door of Bob's dress.
ingrOom and took a candlestick from
the mantcl. II was wedding gift--a
japanese bronze griffin with outspread
wings and spiral. sinuous tail
As she held it to the gas jet to light
hn III ~,
at her feet and she picked 1t up. 1t
was n small. old-fashioned ordinary
brass key. She looked at II hesitating.
ly. 1t had never been on Bob's ring.
she knew. The space between the
wings Of the bronze griffin was a clever
idea Of conccalmen,.
| She set her lips closely and went up
the garret stairs with candlestick in
one hand and the key In the other.
| Half way there was "A turn at small
landing, and II was at the angle made
by this that she had found the little
low door leading to the catch all"
She opened 1t now and entered. half
closing the door after her
The desk was pushed to one side
with some trunks and boxes II was
quaint, antique AFFAIR OF mahogany
severely colonial In style. The main
body was crescent-shapcd. supported
on hand-carved legs. There were four
drawers. two on each side. and small.
low cabinet OF pigcon.holes on top.
| Suzanne stood motionlcss before II
for several minutes. trying to make up
her mind to insert the key. When she
did No. In the lock of the nearest top
drawer. her hand trembled slightly
and she held her breath. The key
turned easily and the draw was ready
for Inspection. hut she did not open II.
| Thoughts whirlcd like the nutterlng
snowfakcs through her mind. and she
stood again irrcsolutc.
She had told Bcss that she believed
absolutely In bob. Higher than her
love for him had been her unfaltcring
belief and confidence In him. II WAS
the very keystone OF her marriage
faith. and yet. at the frs, blow OF sus.
picion. II gave way.
lsss Was Il child. with the impulsiy.
Judgment of "A child. She had been
wrong To even tell her of the desk.
wrong to discuss Bob or his motives
with her at all. or To listen for nm In.
stant 10 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 1t In the hurry and
excitement Of the wedding, She mus,
| believe In him. The mere fact that
they were married did not civ. her n
coroners Right tn hold post'mortcm
over his dead rnst.
There was the sound OF a foots,cp
ON the stairs. and she rciockcd the
drawer quickly.
I'm be down In II moment. Nora. ."
she called. You may serve dinner
The voice that answered was famIl.
lar and masculine. She nearly let IN.
candle fall In her surprised recognition
of H.