The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1912-07-26
The Window
at the
White Cat
By MARY ROBERTS
RINtHART
Copyright. 1910. by Bobbs-Mes.
ill Co.


tary to Margery's father. 1t is posi-
ton of considerable responsibility. and
we are very proud Of him.
l had expected something of the sort.
but the remainder of the meal had
somehow lost it's SAVIOR There was
lull in the conversation while dessert
was being brought in. Miss Fleming
sat, one hand on the table, staring abb
sently at her engagement ring.
you look like fool in that cap,
Jane" volunteered Letitia. while the
plates were being brought in. whats
for dessert?"
"Ice cream" called Miss Jane over
the table
"Well, you needn't" snapped Letitia.
II can hear you we'll enough. You
told me it was junket."
II said ice cream, and you said 1t
would be all right" poor Jane shrek
I'd ''If you drink cup of hot water
after it, it won't hurt you
Fiddle" Letiia snapped unpleas-
antly. T'm not going to freeze my
stomach and then thaw 1t out like a
drain pipe. Tell Heppie to put my ice
cream on the stove"
So we waited until Miss Letitia's had
been heated and was brought in. sick
lied over with pale hues. not Of
thought. but Of confectioner's dyes
Miss Letitia ate 1t resignedly. Like
as not I'll break out. did the last
time." she said gloomily. II only hope
I don't break out in colors."
The meal was over finally, but If l
had hoped for another word alone with
Margery Fleming that evening. was
foredoomed to disappointment. Letitia
sent the girl. not urgently, to bed and
ordered Jane out of the room with
single curt gesture toward the door.
You'd better wash those cups your
self. Jane" she said. Il don't see any
sense anyhow in getting out the best
china unless there's real company. Be
sides. I'm going to talk business"
When the door had closed behind
her, Miss Letitia listened for mo-
ment. got up suddenly and. crossing
the room with amazing swiftness for
her years. pounced on the knob and
threw it open again. But the passage
was empty: Miss James slim little fig
ure was disappearing into the kitchen
II didn't want to see you about the
will. Mr.. Knox," the older sister began.
ho mi n
die just yet-not il l. know anything
But although | think you'd look a
heap better and more responsible If
you wore some hair on your face. still
in most things think you're man Of
sense. And you're not too young
That's why ! didn't send for Harry
Wardrop. He's too young"
WINGED at that. Miss Letitia leaned
forward and put her bony hand on my
knee.
1--WE been robbed" she announced in
half whisper.
"Indeed!" ! said. properly thunder
struck. had always believed that only
the use of the fourth dimension in
space would enable any one not de-
sired to gain access to the Maitland
house.
"Not the pearls?" l asked.
She answered my question with an
other.
when you had those pearls ap-
praised for me at the jewelers. last
year. how many were there?"
mot quite hundred think-yes,
ninety-eight"
Exactly" she corroborated. in tri-
umph. 'They belonged to my mother
Margery's mother got some of them.
That's good many years ago. young
man. They are worth more than they
were then-a great deal more"
TWENTY-FIVE thousand dollars" re,
peated. You remember. Miss Letitia.
that l protested vigorously at the time
against your keeping them in the
house,
Miss Letitia ignored this. but before
she went on she repeated again her
catlike bouncing at the door. only to
find the hall empty as before.
Yesterday morning." she said grave.
ly. Il got down the box-they have al
ways been kept in the small safe in the
top of my closet. When Jane found 4
picture Of ny niece, Margery Fleming
in Harry's room ! thought it likely
there was some truth in the gossip
Jane heard about the two: and. II
there was going to be wedding. why
the pearls were to 60 to Margery any
how. But l found the door Of the safe
unlocked and little bit open. and ter
of the pearls were gomez
Gomez 1 echoed. If ten. why no
the whole ninety eight?'
| How do / know" she replied. will
asperity. That's what l keep law
yer for
But you need detective" l cried
Il will not have the police" she per
sisted indexibly. They will com
around asking impairment question
and telling the newspapers that foo
tsh old woman had got what she de
served"
Then you are going to send them t
a bank?"
You have less sense than ] thought.
she snapped. Il am going to le:. :