Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1911-06-14
CHAPTER XVIII.
It's All NV Fault

It's All My Fault.
didn't go 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 I'm
leeiing queer and tingly. One thing
was absolutely certain: Nol the same
man. but two different men had kissed
me on the stairs to the roof II 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 | nearly
choked you to death a few minutes
ago." Then he rather expected to
finish somebody in that way, Who?
Jim, probably. 1t was strange. too
but suddenly | realized that no mat
ter how many suspicious things I
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 70 break quar-
antine and create one OF the sensa-
lions he so dearly loves This was a
new idea, and some things upheld IL.
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 I had gone TO
bed, and turned on the light TO brush
her hair.
IF l don't leave this mausoleum
soon, I'll be carried out" she de-
clared. You in bed. LOllie Mercer
and Dial 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" | conceded. after some
parley.
You're a dear" Bella came back
from the door Look here. Kit. you
knov Jim pretty we'll Don't you
think he looks i'll? Thinner"
Hes wreck" l said soberly.
You have lot to answer for. Bella"
Bella went over to the chev,d glass
and looked in 1t. Il avoid him all
can she said. posing He's awfully
funny; he's so afraid I'll think he's
serious about you. He can't realize
that for me he simply doesn't exist"
Well. took Aunt Selma. and about
two o'clock. while was I'm my first
sleep. / woke to find her standing l,e-
side me. tugging at my arm
There's somebody in the bouss.-
she whispered. "Thieves!"
IF they're IN they'll not get ou, q,
night" I said
Il tell you. | saw a man sKulkIus
on the stairs" she insisted
got up ungraciously enough and
put on my dressing gown. Aunt Sc
lima, who had her hair In crimps. tied
veil over her head, and together we
went to the head of the stairs Aunt
Selma leaned far over and peered
down
He's in the library" she whlsufn
ed. II can see a light"
The lust OF battle was in Aunt So
lina's eye. She girded her robe about
her and began to descend the stairs
cautiously We went through the halI
was empty. but from the den beyond
came 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 tbs
dining room Bella was saying IN
her clear. high tones You did. didn't
you?"
1T was only her hand" Jim. des
perately explaining I've got to pay
her some attention under the circuru.
stances. And I give you my word
] was thinking OF you when did II.
The wretch
Aunt Selma drew her breath IN sud
denly
u am thinking of marrying Reggi.
Wolfe This was Bella. Of course.
lie wants me TO He's a dear boy.
If you do I viii kill him
II am so very lonely" Bella s;ghea
We could hear the creak of Jim,
shirt bosom that showed that he had
sighed also Aunt Selma had gripped
ne by the arm. and could hear he,
breathing hard beside me
ITO BIZ CONCINUED)
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