Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1913-08-20

''NFFNN A'eA IA AA9 ANNAA @AA 49,
ever was trying 10 escape me, did. l
went back TO bed and dld some think
ing, | tried 10 connect up all the
queer things that had happened
Natalie losing her jewels. Winthrop
being arrested. the woman at Natalle's
door. but / couldn't get anywhere. Ny
mind simply tied itself into a knot,
everything iumbled. | could make no
connection. But there's one thing Ger.
tain. II we have a thief here It's a
woman!"
My mouth dropped open a BIT in the
way / thought | had learned TO con-
troll, but | didn't say anything.
III there had been Just one door
locked, I'd have had her. but every
door was unlocked, making It as easy
as pie for anybody who wanted TO
steal"
But We have nothing to steal" |
expostulated at least no jewels.
have none. Laura has none. and your
mothers are In the bank Natalie's
door was locked, wasn't IT."
She has had her lesson"
Besides we've never been certain
before that a thief was here"
I'VE are not certain now" he point
ed out. But something is wrong,
queer. want you to keep mum about
It. I'm going 10 investigate"
"Ah, Monster Jecoq!" | tainted.
| Hnpwff cutie aaWfoffn
about II. l have all sorts of theories"
III your are quite serious about II
you ought to have all sorts of detec-
tive" | suggested.
zone is coming, but II isn't going to
keep me from doing little work on
my own hook. A detective might find
a gang planted here among the serv-
ants; might find the chief at the din
ner table. Fascinating, isn't it,"
"Horrible!" | declared.
Perhaps Natalie's ruby was stolen
after all" he unused. He began pacing
again. Il thought she was crazy, for
why would a thief take one jewel and
leave the others? I'm not so sure
now but that she is right. We no
doubt have a charming creature in our
midst with a delightful sense Of hui
NOR"
And you are going to unearth herr"
He sat down again and looked at
me intently.
Are you losing the main point?"
ne demanded. you must be cleared
Of suspicion, you know"
Obi" | exclaimed. Il am no
longer suspected. Miss Agazziz came
20 my room last night and said she
Gas sure l hadn't taken her ruby;
that she realized l couldn't possibly
have done such thing, couldn't pos
sibly."
We'll. I'll be -" He stared al
me, What happened to make her
change her mind?"
Il don't know" | answered. "She
didn't give me the impression that
anything had happened. She was
quite calm and cool as she always is
and she was rather friendly"
He brushed the forelock out of his
eyes, and regarded me for a while
with that comically surprised expires
sion Of his. Then he laughed,
You'll excuse me-" he said, "bu
the thing is funny. Wait a minute
Let me think! She heard about Win
: throp."
I'm sure she didn't" assured
, him. Il don't see how she could have
heard. No one knew 1t but myself
until that message came for YOU
, mother. Your mother talked to Mr.
. Crowninshield from her own room
!. It's her own private number, as yol
! know, and has no possible connection
y with the other phone. The converse
r ton revealed nothing, even II any on,
a had been listening at the door, Laurt
did not guess, and you know how keel
= she Is. Miss Agazziz came In sool
y after, but she couldn't possibly hav'
4 known"
|. 81 believe she did know"
q You're rather strange In your be
, lief, aren't you? Whatever else Ma
|. talie is she isn't a hypocrite," l dc
4 Tended. You ought not to be to-
b hard on her, remembering that one
l you"
81 have another strange belief" h
| smiled. Il believe I'm going to MARI
| you"
| Once I made fool of myself" h
interrupted. Were going to forge
| all about that, you and l, aren't we?
| Yes" l replied; then after me-
| ment. I'VE are going to forget a
| about everything, you and l."
| Except that we love each other"
| I'VE are going to forget that" sal
| firmly.
There was no use answering.
\ picked up two tennis balls and starte
for the other end of the court. BIZ
| it's just my sex to have the last wort
| looked back over my shoulder.
| And believe you're going to max
some girl an argumentative husband
said very, very sweetly.
| He opened his lips to reply, smile
changed his mind and swung b
racket into position.
| Ready" he called.
| CHAPTER XVIII.