The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-07-22
by Mary Roberts Rinehart
Copyright, 1902 The Bobbs-Merrim Company

it might have been a joke, al
though il had borne all the evil
dences of sincerity, certainly. But
it was past doubling now; he had
lain in wait for me at the land
ing, and had kissed me, me,
when he thought | was Jimmy's
wife. Oh, must have been very
light, very contemplate, If that
was what he thought of me!
l went into the library and got
a book, but it was impossible to
read, with Jimmy lying on the
couch giving vent to something
between a sigh and groan every
few minutes. About eleven the
cards stopped, and Bella said she
would read palms. She began
with Mr.. HARRISON, because she
declared he had wonderful hand,
full of possibilities: she said he
should have been great inventor
or a playwright, and that his atti-
tude to women was one of hon.
age, respect. almost reverence. He
had the courage to look at me,
and If a glance could have killed
he would have withered away.
When Jimmy proffered his
hand, she looked at it Jelly. OF
course she could not refuse, with
Mr.. HARRISON looking on.
Rather negative" she said
1.-THE lines are obscured
by cushions of flesh; no heart
line at all, mentality small, self
indulgence and irritability very
marked"
Jim held his palm up to the
light and stared at it.
Cad" he said. Hardly safe
for me to go around without
gloves, is it,"
1t was all we'll enough for Jim
a laugh, but he was horribly hurt.
He stood around for few min
utes, talking to Anne, but as soon
as he could he slid away and went
to bed. He looked very badly the
next morning, as though he had
not slept, and his clothes quite
hung on him. He was actually
thinner. But that is ahead of the
story.
Max came to me while the 9TH
ers were sitting around drinking
and asked me in a low
tone, If he could see me in the
den: he wanted to ask me some
thing. Dial overheard.
ASK her here" he said. I'VE
all know what it is, Max. Go
ahead and we'll coach you"
Twill you coach me?" 1 asked,
for Mr.. HARRISON was listening.
THE woman does not need it,"
Dial retorted. And then, because
Max looked angry enough really
to propose to me right there, ]
got up hastily and went into the
den. Max followed, and closing
the door, stood with his back
against it.
Contrary to the general be-
lief, Kit" he began, 81 did not
intend to ask you to marry me-"
/ breathed easier. He took a
couple of steps toward me and
stood with ihs arms folded, look
ng down at me.
I'm not at all sure, in fact,
hat 1 shall ever propose to you,"
1e went on unpleasantly.
"You have already done It
vice. You are not going to take
hose back, are you, MAXI" II
asked, looking up at him.
But Max was not to be cajoled.
He came close and stood with his
hand on the back of my chair.
What happened on the roof to-
night?" he demanded hoarsely.
81 do not think it would inter-
est you." I retorted, coloring in
spite of myself.
"Not interest me! I am shut
In this blasted house; I have toI
see the only woman / ever loved
loved" he supplemented,
as he caught my eye, pretend she
Is another mans wife. Then II
sit back and watch her using ev-
cry art--all her beauty-to make
still another man love her, a.
man who thinks she is a married
woman. If HARRISON were worth
the trouble, I would tell him the
whole story, Aunt Selma be-
obliterated!"
/ sat up suddenly.
eff HARRISON were worth the
troubled" repeated: What did
he mean? Had he seen
81 mean Just this" Max said
slowly. There is only one unac-I
credited member of this house
hold: only one person, save Elan
nigan, who was locked in the
furnace-room, one person who was
awake and around the house when
Anne's jewels went, only one per-I
son in the house, also, who would
have any motive for the theft"
'Motive?" I asked duly.
Poverty" Max tire at me.
'oh, I mean comparative poverty,
Of course. Who is this fellow,
anyhow? Dial knew him at
school, travelled with him through