St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1910-11-26
Mystery in a Box
Copyright. 1910. by Associated Literary Press
By HOPE DARING


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 commando"
"Eh? What do you mean ?~ Oh, you
refer to your accepting the invitation
to go sailing with us in the morn
ing. You will never regret it, for the
bay is beautiful.
1t was evident that she had no in
Roger compressed his lips, he would
be patient but persistent.
The next morning he managed to
secure a place at the table with the
Fullers. Before the meal was finished
the landlord entered the dining room
to 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, 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 thle1
| would be protection to them all.
ooh, 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 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 a telegram was
brought in for Roger. An exclama-
ton of dismay broke from his lips as
he read it. Bobby looked across the
table, genuine concern on his good
humored face.
mot bad news, old man."
"Only that l am summoned to the
city on a matter of business. l must
leave on the evening train"
You will return, will you not?" Mil
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 re-
greet 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
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. He
took her hand, drawing it through his
arm
Little girl, 1 love you"
"But the box! Roger, it stands be-
!, tween u.s." 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 a thief? Remember
Mrs. Darrow's jewels?"
"You are the woman love. l trust
you. Never mention the box again;
l do not care what it contained, OF
why you wished to get rid of it."
She let her hand slip down into him
, laughing gleefully.
IF you feel that way, l can tel
you, but it was so dreadfully silly!
Mildred and l saw you when you ar
rived and recognized you as the ia
, nous author. We talked of youl
, stories. There is always mystery
in them, and we wondered how yor
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 though
% Roger! If some one should be
/ looking out of the hotel windows!"
| PT INC A PRTVES