Evening star., 1911-06-11
BY MRS. JACQUES FUTRELLE

playing, Natalie beckoned to and l. perforce, must
come.
@Perhaps won't be unfortunate this time," she
drawled as dropped into the chair opposite her.
"We've had splendid cards, Lydia and L.
But at the end of an hour, when Mrs. HiggnSon and
Jane Bliss cried quits, Natalie toted up her and
found she two hundred dollars loser. I'm she
didn't about the money; she cared about losing
She looked at me sweetly in her droopy way.
will you allow me to give you some points," she
cooed @Not that am an authority; but perhaps then
better understand each other"
"1'n be most grateful, | murnured wishing that she
and her silly bridge at the bottom of the
some such noble thought.
If you'll come to my room, say in half an hour she
drawed I'll be glad to show you my queer way of play
ing bridge"
smiled sweetly getting control of myself and ignor
ing the accented slam in the last of her speech |
beginning to hate her, positively hate her, and
highly pleased with myself the discovery never
thought was capable of hating anyone
At the end of half an hour-always punctual thanks
to JOS pounding it into mel about to knock upon
Natale's door, when Mrs Hazard appeared and asked
me to come to her. Hap had come home with propo-
sition for crowd of O9's the holiday-the
day holiday-and there room for them.
But he would 60 in with John Crowninshield, and if
would share Lauras suite could bunk them all easily
and it would be awfully jolly.
@Why, of course | agreed.
In two minutes Mrs. Hazards master mind be-
hind the arrangements. was to keep my sitting room;
but had to move my clothes l rang for Celie.
1t sometime later when | happened to think of
Natalie and appointment. gave Cele instructions
about the gowns-ust what to be left to be moved
the following mornng-and rushed to her.
7 SAID half an hour Dear" she cooed when, some
= what flushed and embarrassed, stood before her.
II know; I'm awfully sorry. had some unforeseen
duties" apologized didn't choose to explain to her.
"I'm afraid haven't time now" She consulted the
clock I'm going into my II bath h and my my massage 1t
while Minette is doing my hair" She raised her eye
brows questionngy. always wondered why the action
didn't draw up her eyelds
"11l be glad to watt replied, blessed hypocrite,
and couldn't for minute that it tact. had
great many things to do and time to be waiting for
Natalie.
The door of the dressing room closed upon her and
Minette, and l alone. l always shudder when l
think of it. sat down to wait and rest; for the day
had tired me. The rain had ceased, and the sky
clearing and salt tang in the air in through the
open windows l thought once heard Laura calling
my name, and presently Celie knocked upon Natale's
door. Mrs. Hazard wanted me, and went, expecting
to be back before Natalie emerged from her BATH but
in the rush of other things that up delayed.
One of the other things was the appearance of Mrs
Cutler with telegram wanting to know if she could
have to 60 into town.
THEN the unexpected happened. Natalie, pale and
charningly neglgee, rushed-I never knew she
could do such thing into Mrs. Hazards presence.
Il have been robbed' she exclaimed without prelimi-
nary Her had lost it's usual bored draw and her
dark eyes alive. "Miss Goldman has taken my
pendant-the large ruby!"
Mrs. Hazard to her feet quickly her short
legs allowed door and hers the corridor
were standing open,-and Laura who was beside my
window wheeled suddenly and started in there. 1
caught her arm and held her.
"Impossble!' Mrs. Hazard snapped. "Natalie
you crazy?"
"I am not crazy Natalie replied. Il of
what l say
"You do not mnce words certainly" Mrs Hazard
said "On what authority do you accuse Miss Goldman
of such thing?'
@The pendant was on my dressing table when went
into my BATH, Natalie explained q left Miss Goldman
there alone she was to wait for When came back
she gone
al sent for her. interrupted Mrs. Hazard
aAnd the ruby was missing, Natalie pursued