Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1912-02-27

to announce that q bold robbery had
been committed the afternoon before.
"A small tin box containing valuable
Jewels had been taken from the room
of Mrs. barrow, a Chicago woman.
Already a detective had arrived at
the hotel, and the landlord hoped that
the guests would patiently submit to
any questioning that seemed neces-
sary, as the detection OF the thief
would be protection to them all
Ii "Oh, papal Let's so homei" Audrey
cried.
! Roger stared when he saw how pale
she was. Mr.. Fuller laughed.
Now, don't be frightened puss.
You know that insisted that you and
Mildren should leave your jewelry in
the safe. Why, Audrey, how white
you arel You are not really fright
ened?"
She tried to smile, but It was easy
to see that she was nervous. Her
breakfast was untouched, while the
discussion Of the robbery went on
around her.
A reward was offered for the APP
prehension of the thief, but he was
not found. For several days an Of
ticer haunted the hotel corridors, and
his presence. or even the mention Of
his errand, was enough to drive the
color from Audrey's cheeks. At first
she avoided Roger. He strove to
make her feel that he was her friend,
and gradually she came to trust him.
The affair of the box was never men
toned between them, but the passage
of time only strengthened Rogers de-
termination to solve the mystery.
She is the victim of some ones
wrongdoing," was his decision. at
is not curiosity alone that prompts
me; | will set her free from the fear
that so often looks from her eyes"
AT last Audrey recovered her usual
gay spirits. The hotel was very gay.
The throng of young people picknick-
ed, danced sailed over the bay, ex-
/ plored the pine woods and sped the
summer hours with Joy and laugh
ter.
The hotel guests were at lunch one
dull, rainy day when telegram was
brought in for Roger An exclama-
ton of dismay broke from his lips as
he read it. Bobby looked across the
table, genuine concern on his good
humored face.
Not bad news, old mann"
only that | am summoned to the
city on a matter of business. must
1nava on the auouipo
You will return, viii you not?' Mil
dred Fuller asked, carelessly.
Not for a fortnight, at least, and
by that time the season at Pine Bay
viii be over"
There were many expressions of re-
greet bunch over, Roger went up to
his room He had begun his packing
when, glancing from the window, he
saw Audrey pacing back and forth on
the wharf, unmindful of the rain. He
fastened out to join her. She did not
see him until he called softly:
Audrey"
A cry broke from her lips. The
face she lifted to him was wet, not
with raindrops, but with tears. He
took her hand, drawing it through his
arm
Little girl, love you"
But the boxi Roger, 1t stands be-
| tween u.s." she cried, note of terror
in her voice.
Il threw it into the bay. Let things
between us be as if the box had never
existed"
But, Roger! How can you be sure
that am not a thief? Remember
Mrs. Darrow's jewels?"
you are the woman love. trust
you Never mention the box again;
do not care what'It contained, or
why s-you wished to get rid of it,"
She let her hand slip down into him,
&nghing gfeefully.
+if you feel that way, can tell
you, but 1t was so dreadfully silly!
Mildred and saw you when you ar
rived and recognized you as the ia
nous author. We talked of your
stories. There is always a mystery
I'm them, and we wondered how you
thought them out. Mildred dared me
to give you the box"
What was there in it?"
Pennies and thumb tacks. We
thought we would give you a mystery
at first hand. Then, next morning,
there was that robbery, and thought
% Roger! If some one should be
looking out of the hotel windows!"