The Washington herald., 1910-06-28
CHAPTER XVIII.
Us All NV Fault.

4 went INTO my own toDiu ana sat III lil'
dark, and tried to be furiously angry
and only succeeded in feeling queer anC
tingly. One thing was absolutely certain
not the same man. but two different mer
had kissed me on the stairs to the roof
1t sounds rather horrid and discrimi
mating. but there was all the dinerenc,
in the world.
But then-who had? And for whom has
Mr. HARRISON been waiting on the roof
Did you know that nearly ehoked yol
to death few minutes ago?' Then h
had rather expected 10 finish somebody II
that way! Who? Jim. probably. 1t wa
strange, TOO, but suddenly I realized tina
no matter how many suspicious things
mustered up against him-and there werl
plenty-down in my heart ] didn't believ'
him guilty of anything. except this las
and unforgivable ofsense. Whoever wa
trying 10 leave the house had taken tn
necklace, that seemed clear. unless MAJ
was still foolishly trying 10 break quar-
antine and create one OF the sensation
he so dearly loved. This was a new idea
and some things upheld it. but Max ha'
been playing bridge when was kissed OF
the stairs, and there was still left tina
ridiculous incident Of the comfort.
Bella came up after I had gone to bed
and turned on the light 10 brush he
hair.
"If don't leave this mausoleum soon
III be carried out" she declared. .'Yoi
IN bed. Lollie Mercer and Dial flirting
Anne hysterieaI, and Jim making his vii
ia the dem You viii have to take Aun
Selma tonight, Kit I'm all in"
IF your put her TO bed. I'll keep he
there" I conceded, after some parley.
You're a dear" Bella came back fron
the door Look here. Kit: you knoE
jim pretty well. Don't you think he look
iii? Thinner"
Hes a wreck I said, soberly. ''Yo'
have a lot to answer for. Bella"
Bella went over to the cheval glass an
looked IN it. II avoid him all I can,
she said, posing Hes awfully funny
he's so afraid I'll think he's seriou
about you He can't realize that for N
he simply doesn't exist"
Well. I took Aunt Selma, and about
o'clock, while I was in my first sleep,
woke to find her standing beside me
Juggling at my arm.
There's somebody in the house" sh
whispered Thieves
IF they're in they'll not get out 10
night" I said.
Il tell you. I saw a man skulking Of
the stairs she insisted.
1 got up ungraciously enough, and pu
on my dressing gown Aunt Selma, VIII
had her hair in crimps, tied veil owe
her head. and together we went TO III
head of the stairs Aunt Selma leanei
far over and peered down.
Hes IN the library" she whispered
Il can see a light"
The lust OF battle was in Aunt Selma
eye She girded her robe about her an,
began to descend the stairs cautiously
We went through the hall and stoppel
at the library door. It was empty, bu
from the den beyond came a hum 0
voices and the cheerful glow of fire
light. I realized the situation then, bu
it was too late.
''Then why did you kiss her in tn
dining-room Bella was saying in he
clear. high tones You did, didn't you P
ct was only her hand" Jim desper
ateIy explained. I've got 10 pay he
some attention, under the circumstances
And I give you my word I was thinking
of YOU when I did it" The wretch
Aunt Selma drew her breath in sud
denly.
I am thinking OF marrying Reggi,
Wolfe" This was Bella, of course. III,
wants me to. He's a dear boy
IF you do, will Hi him"
IT am so very lonely" Bella sighed.
We could hear the creak of Jims shir
bosom that showed that ne had sighet
also. Aunt Selma had gripped me b!
the arm. and I could hear her breathing
hard beside me-
Its only jim" 1 whispered. e.
don't want to hear any more"
But she clutched me firmly and IN,
next thing We heard was another creak
louder and
Get up Get up off your knees thiI
Instant" Bella was saying. frantically
Some one might come in"
Don't send me away" Jim said in
smothered voice. Every one in tn
house is asleep. and / love you. dear.
Aunt Selma swallowed hard in tn
darkness.
"You have no right TO make love t,
me-" said Bella. "It's-it's highly i'm
proper. under the circumstances.
And then jim: You swallow a came
and stick at a gnat Why did you NEE
me here, if You didn't expect me t
make love TO you? I've stood for a lot
Bella. but this foolishness VIII have Il
end. Either you love me-or you don t
I'm desperate" He drew long. forlou
breath
Poor old JIm,'' This was Bella. A
pause. Then-''Let my hand alone." alsc
Bella.
1T is my handg'-Jim's most fatuou:
tone. There is where you wore my ring
There's the mark still" Sounds Of jim
kissing BeIlass ringless finger. 'eWhai
did you do with It? Throw It away?'
More sounds.
Aunt Selma crossed the library swiftly
and again I followed. Bella was sittine
In low chair by the fire, looking at th,
logs, in the most exquisite negiige oi
pink chiffon and ribbon. Jim was on
his knees, staring at her adoringly, snC
holding both her hands.
IN tel YOU a secret Bella was say
ing, looking as coy as she knew how
which was considerable. I'll still weai
it on chain around my neck
On chain around her neck! Bella
who is decoilete whenever Il is allow
able and more thar is properg
That was the limit OF Aunt seIina'l