The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1911-04-07
CHAPTER vi.
A Miuhty Poor Joke.

people who in a different grade of So
ciety would be shopltfters and pick
pockets. When they are restrained
come a little overkeen at bridge, or
take the wrong sables, or stuff gold
backed brush into a muff at a reCep-
tion. You remember the ivory dress
ing set that Theodore Bucknell had.
fastened with fine gold chains? And
the sensation 1t caused at the Buck
nell cotillion when Mrs. Van Zire went
sweeping to her carriage with two
feet of gold chain hanging from the
front of her wrap?
But Anne's pearl collar was differ
ent In the first place, instead Of
three or four hundred people, the sus-
picion had to be divided among ten.
And of those ten, at least eight of us
were friends, and the other two had
been vouched for by the Browns and
Jimmy. 1t was horrible mix-up. For
the necklace was gone-there couldn't
be any doubt of that-and although.
as Dallas said, it couldn't get out of
the house, still. there were plenty Of
places to hide the thing.
The worst of our trouble really
originated with Max Reed, after all.
For it was Max who made the silly
wager over the telephone, with Dick
Bagley He bet five hundred even
that one of us, at least, would break
quarantine within the next "a hours,
- ;o1r
told it around the club as a joke, and
a man who owns newspaper heard
him and called up the paper. Then
the paper called up the health office,
after setting up flaming scare head.
will Money Free Them? Board Of
Health versus Millionaire"
1t was almost three when the house
settled down-nobody mad any night
clothes, although finally, through Dal-
las, who gave them to Anne, who gave
them to the rest, we got some things
of Jimmys-and l was still dressed
The house was perfectly quiet, and
after listening carefully, | went slow
ly down the stairs. There was light
in the hall. and another back in the
dining room, and | got along without
any trouble. But the pantry, where
the stairs led down, was dark, and the
wretched swinging door would not
stay open.
I caught my skirt in the door as |
went through, and I had to stop to
loosen it. And in that awful minute
heard some one breathing just be-
side me. l had stopped to my gown,
and I turned my head without
Strengthening couldn't have raised
myself to an erect posture, for my
knees were giving way under me-
and just at my feet lay the still glow
ing end of match!
| had to swallow twice before l
could speak Then I said sharply:
Who's there?''
The man was so close it is a
wonder had not walked into him; his
voice was right at my ear.
Il am sorry ! startled you," he said
quietly Il was afraid to speak sud
denly, or move, for fear l would do
what l have done"
1t was Mr. HARRISON.
II thought you were-tt is very
late" l managed to say. with dry
lipes. DO you know where the cleo
trio switch is?"
Mrs Wnson." 1t was clear he had
not known me before. Why. no:
don't you"
i am al confused" | nuttercd ana
IN, RI
There, in the friendly light, We could
at least see each other. and | think
he was as much impressed by tn fact
that | had not undressed as | was by
the fact that he had, partly He wore
hideous dressing gown OF Jimmy's,
much too small, and his hair, parted
and plastered down in the early even
ing. stood up in a sort OF brown brush
all over his head He was trying to
tlatten it with his hands.
1t must be three O'Clock" he said.
with polite surprise" and the house
is like a rarn. You ought not % be
running around with your arms un-
covered, Mrs. Wilson surely you
could have called some oi us.
Il didn't wish to disturb any one"
said. with distinct truth.
Il suppose YOU are Ike me" he
laid. The novelty Of the situation
and everything. l got to thinking
hings over and then realized the
studio was getting cold, so l thought /
would come down and take a .ook at
he furnace. l didn't suppose any one