The Washington herald., 1910-12-09
THE WHITE CAT
By GELETT BURGESS
Author of "vvettev of Destiay.s
Copyright

explain the reason for my question. She
had no time TO worry about II. at any
rate, for just then Leah, who had been
listening silently, put in;
Miss JOY. do you know what became
of that little gold chain of yours with
the sapphire pendant? Edna wore II
yesterday. but / can't find it anywhere. .
Maybe it's up in my room sSmewhere. .
Joy answered. still walking up and down
the path. Then suddenly stopping she
faced me.
"Oh! DO you suppose she could have
given that to the doctor, too she ex-
claimed.
l laughed. mo: she gave that to me To
keep for her," / said, and / drew il forth
from my vest pocket where 1t had re
manned since the little scene behind the
stable
joys eyes had followed my hand and
fixed on the chain as / held ii out. Her
lips opened with swift intake OF air as
she gazed. The two vertical lines APP
peared in her forehead. She put out a
hand tentatively, but did not touch the
ornament II was as II she were in a
trance Then her lips moved automat-
icSlly.
Keep it-safe-for me. pleased" she
whispered. Suddenly her hand went to
her forehead. "Oh, what was it?" she
cried.
'-rry TO recall the restr I commanded,
watching her sharply.
She thouFH+ moment, then shook her
head decidedly. mo; It's gone now" she
said.
''You can get nothing more?" was my
suggestion.
Nothing. It was like a dream, like
something / had done and said before.
What does it mean-do you know"
Its precisely what you did say-what
Edna said. that is-yesterday."
For some time she was too bewildered
to speak. and stood staring al me-
through me. You mean that Edna said
what I've just saidg' she asked.
Yes" l handed the chain TO her
She put it away with a sharp gesture
"Oh. no. If she gave it to you. keep it!
] have no right" She turned away
But it was only to keep till we got
home, / explained.
She looked at me keenly and threw back
her shoulders proudly. NO; 1t wasn't
She meant you to have it.
You remember il, Them"
She smiled sadly. pityingiy mo. But
I'm a woman, and 1 Know
Walking away 10 a rosebush, she
plucked a bud and returned slowly, as
II to hide some emotion. IL was quite
time 10 comfort her.
joy" ! said. taking her hand and
bringing her 10 the steps again. II have
been doing good deal of thinking. and
have theory that I'd like to prove
4 a. .srs
I'm sure Of it. but when | am, I'll tell
you. Have I your permission 20 use my
own judgment, even 10 the point, per
haps, OF eavesdropping?
'Oh, is that necessary. do YOU think -
She clasped her hands nervously at the
thought. II don't know It's all so mix
ed up in my mind Who can settle the
ethics OF case like this?''
1T may come 10 a fight between you
and Edna think"
"Oh. that's what it has come to- she
exclaimed. That's what is killing me.
Who is Edna? Where did she come from
Where does she belong2 / must be fair
want TO be just TO her, however she
treats me II / could only see her or
hear her-if we could only communicate
in some way. there might be an agree
ment But she's like a ghost-a charac-
ter in a book. Is she a different person.
or only some phase of myself? Dare !
come into open conflict with her? Why.
I may be only destroying myself! ] have
20 be she don't u Shan't I nave to bear
whatever I do 10 her? How do I know
what danger may lie In any action I
may take?"
Yes, I replied, I've thought OF all
that I'm convinced that. as the doctor
says, fits only a case of waking you up.
It's as II you were a somnambulist-
walking in your sleep-dreaming half the
time. frresponsibly. To wake you up
may be uncomfortable for her. II may