Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-04-05
.cHAPT1R XVII.

chAPT1R XVIII.
re All Ny Fault.
I didn't 90 to the drawing room
hgain. went into NJ own reou and
rat in the dAsk. and tried to bs furt
iously angry. and only succeeded in
feeling Queer and ,t1ngly. One thing
was absolutely certain: Net the sans
man, but two different men had Kissed
me on tho stairs to tho roof. 1t sounds
rather horrid and discriminating, but
there Was an the di6sseace In the
world.
But thea-who had! And for whom
had Mr.. HARRISON been waiting on the
roof? did you know that ! nearly
ichoked you to death few minutes
,ago?" Then he rather expected to
Anish somebody in that way! Who7
am, probably. 1T was strange. too,
o. suddenly realized that no mat
sM how many suspicious things
~ :ered up against him-and there
plenty-down in my heart
e believe him guilty of anything.
except this last and unforgivable Of
tense. Whoever was trying to leave
the house had taken the, necklace.
that seemed clear unless Max was
still foolishly trying to break quar-
tantine and create one Of the sensa-
tons he so dearly loves. This was q
new idea, and some things upheld it,
but Max had been playing bridge
when I vas kissed on the stairs. and
there was still left that ridiculous
incident Of the comfort.
bed. and turned on the light to brush
her hair
IF don't leave this mausoleum
soon, I'll be carried out" she de-
iclared. You in bed. Lollie Mercer
and Dial flirting. Anne historical, and
Jim making his will in the den! You
will have to take Aunt Selma tonight
Xiii. I'm all in"
III you'll put her to bed, I'll keep
her there" conceded. after some
parley.
You're dear" Bella came back
from tho door. Look here. Kit you
know Jim pretty we'll. Don't you
think he looks Ill! Thinner?
x1S b y WISCA, 0AIu UOOSI1ys
i''You have a lot to answer for, Bella"
Bella went over. to the cheval glass
and looked In 1t. II avoid him all I
can" she said, posing. Hes awfully
funny; he's 20 afraid I'll think he's
serious about you. He can't realize
that for mo he simply doesn't exist"
Well. I took Aunt Selma, and about
two o'clock, while was in my nrst
sleep, I woke to ind her standing be-
side me. tugging at my arm.
There's somebody in the house,"
she whispered. "Thievss!"
II they're in they'll not get out to.
'ght." said.
- Il toll you. saw . man skulking
). he stairs" abe insisted, 81. --..- u
got up ungrasiously enough. and
-on my dressing gown. Aunt So
Z, who had her hair In crimps. tied
teil over her head, and together We
cent to the head of the stairs. Aunt
,5elina leaned far over and peered
down.
He's in the library" she whisper.
Ied. II can see light"
3! The lust Of battle was In Aunt Be-
llina:s eye. Che Ufv1ed her robe about
ihlr and began TO 6asesnd the stairs
lcou1uqnG w west through tho hall
ana sssJpsd q the library 6ese. It
wss empty. but from the den beyond
came Q hum Of voices and the cheer
full glow Of freight. realized the
situation then, but it was too late.
Then why did you kiss her in tho
dining room?" Bella was saying in
her clear, high tones. you did, didn't
you?"
1T was only her hand" Jim. des-
perately explaining. 1--WE got to pay
her some attention. under the circum-
stances. And give you my word.
/ was thinking Of you when l did it. ;"
The wretch!
Aunt Selma drew her breath In sud
denly.
/ 81. am thinking Of marrying Reggie
Wolfe" This was Bella, of course.
sHe wants me to- He's dear boy"
"If you do, will kill him.
81 am 50 very lonely" Bella sighed.
could hear the creak Of Jim's
/ t boaom that showed that he had
ed also. Aunt Selma had gripped
~ by the arm. and could hear her
Breathing hard beside me.
cts only JIM" whispered. IL
don't want to hear any more"
But she clutched me firmly. and the
next thing we heard was another
eroalI, and louder and
Get up! Get up of your knees
Ghis Instant" Bella was saying frant-
loally. Some one might come In"
"Don't send me away" Jim said In
smothsred voice. Every ono in the
house ~ asleep. and Il love you.
dear"
Aunt Selma swallowed hard in tho
Sarsno55.
.You have NO right to make love
o me-" Bella. '1t's-it's highly i'm
propor, under the circumstances"
And then. jim: You swallow .
camel ana stick at gnat. Why did
you meet mo here. If you didn't ex-
poet mo to make love to you? I've
stood for lot. Bella. but this foolish
ness will have to end. Either you
leve me-or you don't. I'm desper-
Ate.. He drew long. forlorn breath.
'Poor old Jim!" This was Bella. A