The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1913-06-12
Kitty and the
Cabinet
And a Ring That Was Finally
Put to Good Use.
BY JOHN BEAUMONT,

"See here" said Chester hotly, ''if
you think l stole the ring why don't
ycu say so and search me?"
''Nincent," cried Elvia, chow can you
say such thing?"
Elm simply putting into words what
Miss Celeste has been limiting for the
last ten minutes" he cried.
Celeste may have been unfortunate
IN her remarks said John Noai:es
s0othingly. but she meant nothing Of
that sort
Vincent Chester laughed. Ever since
Miss Celeste Noailes descended upon
her brothers household ut the death of
| bis vie she had fought Vincent. lie
was boy then, but even then in love
win Elyia, and Miss Celeste had high
CT ideas Of natrimony for her very
attractive niece.
This evening the two had been ey-
| auilliig Il ring. and somehow, none
knew how. it had disappeared. They
had hunted all over for it, but it could
q that Miss Ccicstc's acid tongue
would bat tilinly veil her suspicious
thoCGiltA
If sir Chester's conscience is I'm
| easy" chUci;led Miss Celeste, Il can
III l2rstand that he takes to himself
| purely impersoDal speeches.
Vincent turned to Mr. Noailes. will
y0u search nle, sir?" he asked.
"Eo1sensor' cried his host. Celeste.
| for heavens sake keep still. My boy,
| ID one believes that YOU would steal
| anytlling- one thing
lie patted Elvias shoulder meaning
| ly to explain his last sentence and
thereby added fuel to Miss Celestes
fame.
~ don't see why he should not be
searched,' she fu,ned. THE ring was
| here 8 moment ago. and now it IS
| gone
Yea see" said Vincent. again, 1
=! all .,,.. &c search: as;s,a:'a,: &c
my. boy. you were not a day old
! when first took you in my arms.
| said Mr. Noailes. Il would as soon ac-
cuse myself Of crime as to believe it Of
you"
"Weu. il YOU won't" said Vincent
| brsliy. I'll have to do it myself,
guess
Ranidly he turned out the contents
of his pockets, spreading them on the
| table Holm Noai:es sprang forward as
| though to stop him, but Elyia laid 4
| dataining hand upon his shoulder.
| ''It is better 3d." she whispered. 1T
! i; the only way to convince auntie.
| They stood silent until the things
| had been returned to CraWford's peck
| cts: then Nj. Noaiies stepped forward.
| ''Tl!is, should satisfy you. Celeste. he
| said storiilE. Il want to tel! you that
| if You ever raise the question again |
| shall not condone your second offenSe
| Very we'll" said Miss Celeste, With
| Il shl,.g OF her shoulders. 'Since |
| seem TO be so much in the way here
| 7 SUPPOSE that Mr.. Crawford Will per-
nit me to retire
| she swept grandly from the room.
| leaving the three to face each OTHER uii-
! comfortably All knew that Miss Cc-
| ,este was not sa:ijliel and were fear
ftIl Of iier next outbreak.
| Each tried to appear at ease. but the
! pleasure Of the visit was gone, ana
| presently Crawford made an excuse
| fo,. taking his departure. IIlyia follow
ed him TO the door.
"yViu you drop in tomorrow even
ing:" she asked. We shall probably
| be able 10 tel you then where we
found the ring"
- an afraid that cannot get
/ aro,7uf.'' he said intentionally. III
YOU find it VIII you write:
"W-or't YOU come oveT?" pleaded Ei
Vi, l}rt Vincent shook his head. iiC
had becn shocked by the accusation
! and not even tie belief of Elvia ana
her father could salTe his "oaho""
feelings yet. 1t seemed almost Il"
! fboIloh he were passing out OF EiEla
! life
Tn in llel. room Miss Celeste was SIT
ting at her writing table wmie hei
f.uev ren covered sheet after sheet q
note nancr Not until she had writer
= dozen pages did she cease her "orh
,,5 +hc-, Going over to her bureau
.-r,n t747;o"ked the upper drawer an
drew. therefi'om a paper covered DOVE
with a gaudy title page. FROM 'ile ~
side Of this she clipped q co'il'oii' iio l
She attached to the letter before SIP
ping it into an envelope
A year before willie visiting the cl''
she had been tempted to visit Naude
vile theater at which man ana "o
man known as the X-Rays were cre'
inc y sensation with some mind feau
;Do ACCOMPLISHMENTS Always inclined
al che had Dpnn great
ly interested by the Rays acconiilisn