The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-07-13

Os-s-s-s-s-s.s-s-s-s.s-s-s tary to Margery's father. It is a posi- ton of considerable responsibility, and we are very proud of him." had expected something of the sort, but the remainder of the meal had somehow lost it's savor. There was a Hull in the conversation while dessert was being brought in. Miss Fleming sat, one hand on the table, staring .ab- sently at1her engagement ring.
 You look like a, fool in that cap, Jane," volunteered Letitia, while the plates were being brought in. Whats for dessertY
 "Ice cream" called Miss Jane oyer the table.
 "Well, you needn't" snapped Letitia, ,"I can hear you well enough. You told me it was junket." "I said ice cream, and you said it would be all right" poor Jane shriek- ed. ''If you drink cup of hot water after it, it won't hurt you."
 Fiddle Letitia snapped unpleas- antly ''I'm not going to freeze my stomach and then thaw it out like a drain pipe. Tell Heppie to put my ice cream on @e stove"
 So we waited until Miss Eetitia's had l been heated and was brought in, sick 1 liedre over with .pale hues. not of ! thought, but of confectioner's dyes. 1 Miss Letitia ate it resignedly Like | as not I'll break out, I did the last time," she said gloomily. '1 only hope 1 I don't break out in coIors." The meal was over finally, but if. had hoped for another word alone with Margery Fleming that evening, was foredoomed to disappointme 1Letitia sent the girl, not urgently, to, bed and i ordered Jane out of the room with a single. curt gesture toward the door.
 You'd better wash those cups your 1 self, Jane," she said T don't see any sense anyhow in getting out the best china unless there's real company. Be sides, Pm going to talk business" i When the door had closed behind | her, Miss Letitia listened for a mo- ment,. got up suddenly and, crossing the room with amazing swiftness for her years, bounced on the knob and threw it open again: But the passage was empty; Miss James slim little fig ure was disappearing into the kitchen
 t'I didn't want to see you about the i will, MT. Knox, the older sister began. ssThe will can wait. ain't going to die just yet-not if I know anything. | But although I 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 l Wardrop. He's too young" 1 I winced at that. Miss Letitia leaned forward and put her bony hand on my | knee.
 'T've. been robbed she announced in a half whisper.
 "Indeed" I said, properly thunder struck. had always believed that only 1 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?" asked. | 6u0 dASWSISO ny N4ueSl4OA W1IA dA- | other.
 When you had .those pearls ap- | praised for me at the jewellers last year, how many were there?'
 tNot quite hundred I 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-two thousand dollars" re 1 peated. "You remember, Miss Letitia, that 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. | SNesterday morning." she said grave. ly, "I got down the box-they have al ways been kept in the small safe in the top of my closet. When Jane found a picture of my niece, Margery Fleming
 
 there was some truth in the gossip l Jane heard about the two; and; ii there was going to be wedding, why the pearls were to go to Margery any. how. But found the door of the safe unlocked and a little bit open, and ten of the pearls were gonep' l "Goner' I echoed If ten, why not 1 the whole ninetv-ei9kt f'' 1 "How do I know?" she replied, witt asperity. That's what keep a law yer for"
 But you need detective,'' cried. | q will not have the police,'' she per sisted infexibly. "'They will come around asking impertinent questions and telling the newspapers that fool ish old woman had got what she de l seryed''
 'gThen you are going to send them te ] bank2" =