Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-25


had no leg to stand on.
1t received in just that spirit at Lone Oak There
some embarrassment at first; but Winthrop sus-
peced of being thief was rdiculously absurd that
before noon it was Joke.
Laura shed few tears of honest at the break
fast table when she the silly thing in the papers;
then she laughed Mr. Abercrombie got hot under the
collar and told all what he would do with the police
when he Governor then laughed. Everybody else
laughed including his Grace, who merely knew it
nice little bon mot of American humor. Only Natalie
serious
met her on the threshold of the wide doors that
opened upon the terrace where the younger people
wildly welcoming the O9's as the motors arrived She
drew me back into the house. while | merely wondered
what had brought her out early. 1t only ten.
"Its rather tragic about Mr.. Abbott, isn't it?" she
asked The tone OF her voice unusual and her attl
tude held hint of excitement.
"Not now,' | answered. at looked that way last
night; but this morning it is comedy, not tragedy.
General Schuyler isn't badly hurt Have you the
Eyes l didn't know if the situation was better or
worse; that's why wanted to know from somebody
from you
ooh, the newspapers always try to make it worse,
you know" told her, @and at that it's nothing.
The jewels are Mr. Abbotts and he prove it. Ex-
cep for the General having been shot, it's rather
ing and something to break the monotony. The boys
have gone to bring Mr. Abbott. They're going to cee-
brate or do something exciting know Mrs Dykeman
But my hlppancy met no response from her. "1m
glad it isn't Serious, she said.
looked after her curously she went through the
wide hallway and into the library; then went out
on the terrace. Winthrop had arrived with the 09's,
who had gone for him, and just l came out Lydia
met him with outstretched hands.
3Good morning Mr.. Burglar she laughed. @Where
is your revolver and dark lantern? Did you
mask? And you were shot, tool Do you know you re
such interesting person and have furnished such
corking excitement that I'm tempted to hug your"
Winthrop rubbed the back of his head re1ectively,
and the last bit of embarrassment disappeared in the
laugh that went up.
WAS mentally juggling my crowd and planning my
schedule tor the day, when car that didn't belong
to any of the O9's up the driveway 1t carried
passenger and chauffeur, the passenger being
red headed young man whom l knew instantly. Hap
knew him too He reached the steps by the time the
newspaper man did and politely managed to block his
progress.
There curious silence the terrace after whs-
perings to the identity of the Everybody
listening.
"See Miss SARGENT heard Hap repeat. lawfully
sorry. Miss Sargent is in town."
@Can you tell me where?' the reporter asked.
ashes shopping, Hap lied gibly "Never know ex-
actly where woman is when she shops
shopping" repeated the reporter @But-' He
looked at Hap and smiled glanced toward the front
door, then frankly looked Haps shoulder at the
grnned. He swept his hand generally in direction.
"You see she isn't here, he remarked affably. He
was that Natalie still up stairs in bed but
knew better and every minute expected to her step
through those doors to the terrace moved and stood
where | could look down the hallway The reporter
glanced at the front door again Not of thought
of its being holiday.
"W she be back this afternoon" the reporter asked.
Il hardly think So" Hap answered. u think she's
going to stay over and shop again tomorrow. And |
really can't tell you where she's staying 1t might be
with her aunt again might be with her cousin yet