The Washington herald., 1910-06-18
CHAPTER VI.
A Mighty Poor Joke.


OF course one knows that there are
people who in a different grade OF so
ciety would be shoplifters and pickpoek-
cts. When they are restrained by oblga-
ton or environment they become little
overkeen at bridge. or take the wrong
sables, or stuff a gold-backed brush into
a rnuff az a reception You remember
the ivory dressing set that Theodore
Buekneu had fastened with fine gold
chains? And the sensation 1t caused at
the Bucknen cotillion when Mrs. Van
Zlre went sweeping 10 her carriage with
two feet of gold chain hanging from the
front Of her wrap?
But Anne's pearl collar was different
In the first place, instead Of three or
four hundred people, the suspicion had
TO be- divided among ten. And of those
ten. at least eight of us were friends, ana
the other two had been vouched for by
the Browns and Jimmy. II was hor-
ribIe mix-up For the necklace was gone
there couldn't be any doubt of that
and although, as Dallas said. it couldn'
get out of the house, still, there were
plenty Of places 10 hide the thing.
The worst of our trouble really oTigi-
mated with Max Reed, after ALL For II
was Max who made the silly wager over
the telephone with Dick Bagley- He bet
ave hundred even that one of US. at least,
would break quarantine within the next
twenty-four hours, and Of course, that
settled it. Dick told it around the club
as a Joke. and man who owns news
papsr heard him and called up the paper.
Then the paper called UP the health
Office, after setting up a flaming scare
head, "Win Money Free Them? Board
of Health versus Millionaire
1t was almost when the house settled
Ciownt-nObody had any night-clothes. al
though finally. through Dallas, who gave
them to Anne who gave them TO the
rest. we got some things of Jimmy $
and I was still dressed. The house was
perfectly quiet, and. after listening care
fully. 1 went slowly down the stairs
There was a light in the hall. and an
other back In the dining-room, and l got
along without any trouble. But the pan
try, where the stairs led down, was dark
and the wretched swinging door would
not stay open.
I caught my skirt in the door as l wen
through. and I had 10 stop TO loosen 1t
And in that awful minute l heard some
one breathing just beside me- had
stopped to my gown. and l turned my
head without Strengthening - / couldn
have raised myself TO an erect posture
for my knees were giving way under m'
and Just at my feet lag the stiil glow
ing end of a matchi
! had to swallow twice before ] coul'
speak Then I said sharply;
who's there?"
The man was so close it is a wonder
had not walked into him: mis- voice wa
right at my ear
I am sorry / startled you" he salt
quietly Il was afraid TO speak sudden
~, or more, for fear ! would dO-what
have done"
1t was Mr.. HARRISON.
IL thought you were-it Is very late,
I managed to say, with dry lips. ID
YOU know where the electric switch is?
Mrs. wilson," It was clear he hat
rot known me before. why, no; don
your
Il am all confused" I muttered, an
beat a retreat into the dining-roon
There. in the frinedly light, We could q
I least see each other. and / think he wa
as much impressed by the fact that ha
not undressed as / was by the fact tina
/ he had. partly He wore a hideous dress
/ ing-gown of Jimmy's, much too sinai
and his hair, parted and plastered dow
/ in the early evening, stood up in soI
of brown brush all over his head. II
way trying to fatte1 It with his hands,
/ Tt must be o'clock he said, Wit
/ polite surprise "and the house is Ike
/ barn. You ought not TO be runnin
around with your arms uncovered, Mr.
/ Wilson. Surely you could have calle
some OF US
L didn't wish 10 disturb any one"
said with distinct truth
/ I suppose you are like me, he salt