The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1913-04-05

way.
shook my head finally. Words
Just wouldn't come.
She seems not to be able to speak
for herself" Natalie drawled. in that
awfully civil tone Of hers.
Il should say not" Laura broke in.
You've quite knocked her speech
less"
Il don't doubt it," retorted Natalie.
losing her admirable temper
And really don't know where the
scene would have ended if. at that mo-
ment, Hap hadn't appeared in the
doorway
Great Lord. what's the matter?" he
exclaimed
Natalie. evidently realizing her
negligee, started out. but Laura
blocked the way. sat down: my
knees refused to support me any long
er.
Natalie says Louie has stolen her
ruby pendant" Laura answered him
frankly
He blinked as If he hadn't quite
heard, and his face settled into the
most comically surprised expression
l have ever seen. He reached hand
to his forehead and brushed aside the
forelock. suddenly shivered. and was
calm; my throat relaxed. l was
thinking of that advice 10 had given
me-
II didn't take the pendant" I said.
Il didn't see it. | was only there
moment when Celie came for me, If
you want to make sure you may
search me-"
| What are you people trying to do?
Josh me?" Hap demanded
II think we're all daft" Mrs. Haz-
ard snapped-Laura was the only abb
solutely cool person there-Mrs. Haz-
| ard patted my shoulder, and the touch
of her dear, fat hand was wonderfully
sweet to me. II don't think you need
| searching, my dear child" she went
on. 81 don't want anything but your
word. l shall send for a detective to
| look after us as long as Natalie insists
upon keeping her jewels This disap-
pearing one by one is most peculiar.
Hap will you call long distance.
please, and see If you can get John?'
Natalie drew herself up regally-
regal even in kimono, with her hair
just looped up
Then Miss Goldman IS quite above
reproact?" she inquired. lifting her
eyebrows.
Miss Goldman is quite above re-
proach. Natalie" Mrs. Hazard said
positively. Il think you are mistaken.
my dear girl. and~I think you are
careless Why didn't you take your
jewels with you?"
Into my BATH" Natalie exclaimed.
Into your BATH" Mrs. Hazard re-
peated, where you could keep your
eyes on them. ! should think you had
had warning enough"
81 wish you'd search me-" | said
YEARLY. land let me go away; go
home to my sister"
"Oh, gracious. Louie, we are not go
ing to let you run away" Laura OBJ
jected We'll just find out who took
Natalie's ruby and those other things"
I'VE seem to be getting away from
my original statement" Natalie cut in
sharply. do you refuse to believe
me when l say"
81 do" interrupted Mrs. Hazard
"but shall have a detective here to-
morrow if possible. Hap. is Central
asleep"
Natalie was dismissed; she knew it.
She foated away with only fifty min
utes to dress. and Mrs. Hazard was
rather insistent about her dinner
hour. arose stiffly. wasn't sure
just what l should do or say; every
thing was muddled and queer. Mrs.
Hazard caught John just as he was
leaving the Office and began talking
to him about a detective. and Hap
stood by the window, with his hands
dug deep into his trousers pockets
Laura was searching local telephone
book for number. l waited pain
fully, and when Mrs. Hazard released
the wire Laura called Winthrop
Il want to know if he's at home"
she explained to us. "Of course he
couldn't have been here without some
one of us seeing him. but want to
make sure"
Winthrop himself answered her,
and a minute later. after foolish
question. she hung up the receiver
satisfied My mind flew to the duke.
but, as If in contradiction Of my
thought, l saw him coming from the
beach with Jane Bliss. Against me
this time was the silly circumstantial
evidence.
Does any one here believe took
that ruby" asked brokenly.