The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-06-09
CHAPTER XVIII.
It's All My Fault.


l didn't so to the drawing room
again. went into my own room and
sat in the dark, and tried to be furi-
ously angry, and only succeeded in
feeling queer and tingly. One thing
was absolutely certain: Not the same
man, but two different men had kissed
me on the stairs to the roof. It sounds
rather horrid and discriminating, but
there was all the difference in the
world.
But then-who had? And for whom
had Mr.. HARRISON been waiting on the
roof? did you know that l nearly
choked you TO death a few minutes
ago? Then he rather expected to
finish somebody in that way! Who?
Jim, probably. It was strange, too,
but suddenly l realized that no mat
ter how many suspicious things l
mustered up against him-and there
were plenty-down In my heart
didn't 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-
antine and create one of the sensa-
tions he so dearly loves. This was n
new idea, and some things upheld II,
but Max had been playing bridge
when was kissed on the stairs, and
there was still left that ridiculous
incident Of the comfort.
Bella came up after had gone to
bed, and turned on the light to brush
her hair.
IF I don't leave this mausoleum
soon, I'll be carried out" she de-
clared. You in bed, Lollie Mercer
and Dal flirting, Anne hysterical, and
Jim making his will in the den! You
will have to take Aunt Selma tonight,
Kit; I'm all in."
''If you'll put her to bed, I'll keep
her there" 1 conceded, after some
Darley.
You're a dear" Bella came back
from the door. Look here, Kit, you
know Jim pretty we'll Don't you
.hink he looks i'll? Thinner"
Hes a wreck" | said soberly. |
You have a lot to answer for, Bella"
Bella went over to the cheval glass
and looked in it. Il avoid him all I
,an," she said, posing. He's awfully
'unny; he's so afraid I'll think he's
serious about you. He can't realize
hat for me he simply doesn't exist"
Well, / took Aunt Selma. and about
wo o'clock, while was in my first
ileep, woke to find her standing be-
ide me, tugging at my arm.
There's somebody in the house."
he whispered. "Thieves!"
'If they're in they'll not get out to-
light" l said.
II tell you, I saw a man skulking
N the stairs" she insisted.
I got up ungraciously enough, and
ut on my dressing gown. Aunt Sc
ina, who had her hair in crimps, tied
veil over her head, and together we
,ent to the head of the stairs. Aunt
jelina leaned far over and peered
own.
Hes in the library" she whisper
d. 'T can see a light"
The lust of battle was in Aunt Sc
mas eye. She girded her robe about
er and began to descend the stairs
autiously. We went through the hall
as empty, but from the den beyond
anne a hum of voices and the cheer
IL glow of freight. l realized the
tuation then, but it was too late.
Then why did you kiss her in the
ming Toom?" Bella was saying in
er clear, high tones. you did, didn't
0u?"
1T was only her hand" Jim, des-
erately explaining. i've got to pay
er some attention, under the circum-
ances. And give you my word,
was thinking of you when l did It,"
he wretch
Aunt Selma drew her breath in sud
9nly.
Il am thinking of marrying Reggie
'olfe." This was Bella, of course.
lie wants me to. He's a dear boy"
IF you do, will kill him"
81 am so very lonely" Bella sighed.
e could hear the creak of Jims {
irt bosom that showed that he had {
ghed also Aunt Selma had gripped !
g by the arm, and could hear her 6
eathing hard beside me. I
(To BE CONTINUED.) q
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