The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1910-11-17
Mystery in a Box
By HOPE DARING
Copyright, 1910, by Associated Literary Press

4, cool breeze swept In from the bay. As
they adjourned to the parlor, Roger
fell into step with Audrey Fuller.
Did you see. Miss Fuller, that |
obeyed your command?"
'Eh? What do you mean? oh, you
refer to your accepting the invitation
to go sailing with us in the morn.
ing. You win never regret 1t, for the
bay is beautiful
1t was evident that she had no in
tention of gratifying his curiosity
Roger compressed his lips; ne would
be patient but persistent
The next morning he managed to
secure place at the table with the
Fullers. Before the meal was finished
the landlord entered the dining room
| to announce that q bold robbery had
been committed the afternoon before
A small tin box containing valuable
Jewels had been taken from the room
OF Mrs. Darrow. Chicago woman
Already a detective had arrived at
the hotel, and the landlord hoped that
the guests would patiently submit to
any questioning that seemed neces
sary, as the detection of the thief
would be a protection to them all.
"Oh. papa! Let's go homel" Audrey
cried.
Roger stared when he saw how pale
she was. Mr.. Fuller laughed.
Now, don't be frightened, puss.
You know that l insisted that you and
Mildren should leave your jewelry in
the safe. Why, Audrey, how white
you are! You are not really fright.
ened?"
She tried to smile, but 1t was easy
to see that she was nervous. Her
breakfast was untouched, while the
discussion of the robbery went on
around her
A reward was offered for the ap-
prehension of the thief. but he was
not found. For several days an of.
ficer haunted the hotel corridors, and
his presence, or even the mention Of
his errand. was enough to drive the
color from Audrey's cheeks. At first
she avoided Roger. He strove to
make her feel that he was her friend.
and gradually she came to trust him.
She is the victim Of some ones
wrongdoing," was his decision. 1T
Is not curiosity alone that prompts
me: | will set her free from the fear
that so often looks from her eyes"
At last Audrey recovered her usual
gay spirits. The hotel was very gay.
The throng of young people picknick.
ed, danced, sailed over the bay. ex-
plored the pine woods and sped the
summer hours with joy and laugh
ter
The hotel guests were at lunch one
dull, rainy day when telegram was
brought in for Roger. An exclama-
tion of dismay broke from his lips as
he read 1t. Bobby looked across the
table, genuine concern on his good
humored face.
Not bad news, old man."
| z Only that | am summoned to the
city on matter of business. | must
leave on the evening train"
You will return, will you not?" Mil
dred Fuller asked, carelessly.
Not for fortnight. at least. and
by that time the season at Pine Bay
|
will be over"
There were many expressions OF re-
gret. Lunch over Roger went up to
his room. He had begun his packing
when, glancing from the window. he
saw Audrey pacing back and forth on
the wharf. unmindful of the rain. He
hastened out to join her. She did not
| see him until he called softly:
Audrey"
A cry broke from her lips. The
! face she lifted to him was wet, not
with raindrops, but with tears. He
took her hand, drawing it through his
arm.
Little girl, love you"
But the box! Roger, II stands be-
tween us" she cried. note of terror
in her voice.
Il threw it into the bay. Let things
between us be as If the box had never
existed"
But, Roger! How can You be sure
that | am not thief? Remember
Mrs. Darrcw's jewels?"
You are the woman love. trust
you. Never mention the box again;
do not care what II contained. or
why you wished to get rid of It,"
She let her hand slip down into him.
| laughing gleefully.
''If you feel that way. I can tell
you, but It was so dreadfully silly!
Mildred and ! saw you when you ar
rived and recognized you as the ia
nous author. We talked of your
stories. There is always a mystery
In them, and we wondered how you
thought them out. Mildred dared me
to give you the box"
what was there in it?'
Pennies and thumb tacks. We
thought we would give you mystery
at first hand. Then, next morning.
there was that robbery. and | thought
20 Roger! II some one should be
Hooking out OF the hotel windows!"
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