The Jasper weekly courier., 1910-11-18
!965IE@@.4
Mystery in a Box
By HOPE DARING
Copyrlsht. 1910. BY Assoelated Lllerary preaa

Roger compressed his nps: he would
I be patient but persistent.
! The next morning he managed to
secure a place at the table with the
/ Fulers. Before the meal was finished
the landlord entered the dining room
/ 10 announce that bold robbery had
! been committed the afternoon before.
/ A small tin box containing valuable
\ jewels had been taken from the room
OF Mrs. Darrow. a Chicago woman.
Already 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 protection to them all
"Oh. papa, Let's go home," Audrey
cried.
Roger stared when he saw how pale
she was. Mr.. Fuller laughed
Now. don't be frightened. puss.
You know that 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 It was easy
20 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
ticer 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. lie stroye 10
make her feel that he was her friend,
and gradually she came 10 trust him
The affair OF the box was never men
toned between them, but the passage
of time only strengthened Rogers de
termination 10 solve the mystery.
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 Audres 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 we're at lunch one
dull, rainy day when telegram was
brought in for Roger An exclama-
ton of dismay broke from his lips as
be read 1t. Bobby looked across the
table, genuine concern on his good
humored face.
Not bad news. old MANI"
4 only that | am summoned to the
| city on a matter of business. ! must
l leave on the evening train"
i You will return. will you not?' Mn
dred Fuller asked, carelessly.
Not for a fortnight. at least. and
by that time the season at Pine Bay
Will be over"
There were many expressions OF le-
gret Lurch 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
FASTENED out to Join her. She did not
see him until he called softly:
AUDREY ="
A cry broke from Ter lips. The
face she lifted to him was wet. not
with raindrops. but with tears. lie
took her hand, drawing 1t through his
arm
Little girl. love you"
: But the box Roger. II stands be-
tween u.s." she cried, a note of terror
in her voice.
n II threw IL into the bay Let things
< between US be as II the box had never
J. existed
e But. Roger How can you be sure
that | am not a thief? Remember
g Mrs. Darrow's Jewels"
. You are the woman | love. trust
i YOU. Never mention the box again;
) | do not care what 1t contained. or
' why you wished TO get rid Of It."
r she let her hand slip down into him.
) laughing gleefully.
"If you feel that way. can tell
A YOU. but IT was so dreadfully silly!
: Mildred and ! saw you when you ar
= rived and recognized you as the IA
q nous author. We talked OF your
A stories. There is always a mystery
: in them. and we wondered how you
A thought them out. Mildred dared me
TO give you the box"
; What was there in IT."
pennies and thumb tacks. We
q thought we would give you mystery
@ at first hand. Then, next morning.
n there was that robbery. and thought
% Roger, II some one should be
A looking out OF the hotel windows!