The Marshall republican., 1913-01-10

ed without preliminary Her voice had
lost its usual bored drawi and her
dark eyes were alive. miss Goldman
has taken my pendant-the large
rubyl"
Mrs. Hazard came to her feet as
quickly as her short legs allowed
both my doors and hers across the
corridor were standing open--and
Laura, who was beside my window,
wheeled suddenly and started in there
I caught her arm and held her.
"Impossible!" Mrs. Hazard snapped.
Natalie. are you crazy3"
II am not crazy" Natalie replied. T
am sure Of what I say"
you do not mince words, certain
iy." Mrs. Hazard said. "On what
authority do you accuse Miss Goldman
Of such thingf"
The pendant was on my dressing
table when I went into my bath"
Natalie explained. II left Miss Cod
man there alone; she was to wait for
me. When ! came back she was
gone"
II sent for her." interrupted Mrs.
Hazard.
"And the ruby is missing" Natalie
pursued.
Nothing else is missing?"
Nothing else" admitted Natalie.
"The ruby is sufficient"
There was a momentary silence az
ter that, Mrs. Hazard evidently not
knowing what more to say. and
Natalie having said quite enough.
couldn't hold back Laura any longer.
80 decided to go in frst. But when
l was face to face with Natalie and
dear Mrs. Hazard I stood there tragic.
ally silent, with an odd ache In my
throat
Miss Goldman will speak for her.
SELF" Mrs. Hazard said In her direct
way.
shook my head finally. Words
Just wouldn't come.
she seems not TO be able to speak
for herself" Natalie drawied, in that
awfully civil tone OF hers.
II should say not" Laura broke in.
You've quite knocked her speech
less"
II don't doubt t." retorted Natalie.
losing her admirable temper.
And really don't know where the
scene would have ended n, at that mo.
ment. Hap hadn't appeared In the
doorway.
"Great Lord. what's tho natter7" he
exclaimed.
Natalie. evidently realizing her
negiigee. started out. but Laura
blocked the way. sat down; my
knees refused to support mo any long.
er.
Natalie says Loulie has ptolen her
ruby pendant" Laura answered him
frankly.
He blinked as II he hadn't quite
heard, and his face settled into the
most comically surprised expression
have ever seen. He reached a hand
to his forehead and brushed aside the
foreiock. I suddenly shivered. and was
calm: my throat relaxed. ! was
thinking OF that advice 10 had given
mo.
II didn't take the pendant" said.
II didn't zee II. was only there Q
moment when Cello came for me. n
you want to make sure you may
search mel"
"what are you people trying to dot
Josh met" Hap demanded.
II think ws'rs all daft" Mrs. Has.
ard mappsd-IAurs was the only ab-
soiutsly, cool person there-Mrs. Haz.
ard patted my shoulder. and the touch
Of her dear. fat hand was wonderfully
sweet to ne. Il doa't think you need
searching. my dear chiid." she wsnt
on. II doat vast anything but your
word. I shall send for . detective to
look after 10 - long - Natalie insists
upon keeping her jewsls. THIS dissp.
psaring one By oas 10 most peculiar.
Hap. viii you call leag distanos.
please. and - u you osa - Jshnf"
Natalie drew herself up rsgaiiy-
regal svsa IN kimone. With hsr hair
iust loopsd up.
Thea Miss Goldman 10 quite sSsvs
rsprsschi" she Inquired. lifting her
eyebrows.
Miss Goldman 10 quite above ~
proach, Natalie" Mrs. Hasard said
positively. II think you are mistaken,
ny dear girl. and ! thiak you are
careless. Why didn't you take your
Jewels with youf"
Into my bathf" Natalie exclaimed.
Into your BATH Mrs. Hazard rs-
psated. where you could keep your
eyes on them. should think you had
had warning enough"
II wish you'd search me-" said
wearily. "and lot me 90 away; 90
homo to my sister" ...
"Oh. gracious. Loulie. We are not 60
Ing to lot you run away" Laura OBJ
tected. We'll last md out who took
Natalie's ruby and those other thiRss."
knew she was thinking of Winthrop.
I'VE seem to b getting away from
my original statement" Natalie cut In
sharply. DO you refuse to believe