Las Vegas optic., 1914-04-27
her ACID TONGUE
sy JoHN BEAUMONT.

vtu say such thing?"
I'm simply putting into words
what Miss Celeste has been limiting
nor the last ten minutes" he cried.
Celeste may have been unfortun-
\ ats In her remarks, said John Noailes
Scothingly, hut she meant nothing of
Ahat sort "
Vincent Chester laughed. Ever
since Miss Celeste Noailes descended
apon her brothers household at the
death OF his wife, she had fought
Vincent. He was a boy then but even
then in love with Elvia and Miss
Celeste had higher ideas Of matri-
zaony for her very attractive niece.
This evening the two had been ex-
Anining ring and somehow, none
know how, It had disappeared. They
had hunted all over for II, but it could
not be found and II was to be expect
I'd that Miss Celeste's acid tongue
would but thinly veil her suspicious
thoughts.
III Mr.. Chester's conscience is I'm
oasy," chuckied Miss Celeste Il can
understand that he takes to himself
purely impersonaI speeches"
Vincent turned to Mr.. Noailes win
you search me, sir?'' he asked.
Nonsense" cried his host Celeste.
aor heavens sake keep BtilL MY bog.
no one believes that you would steal
anything except one thing"
He Datted Elvia's shoulder mean
Angly to explain his last sentence. and
thereby added fuel to Miss Celeste's
Aame.
i don't Bes why he should not be
searched she fumed. The ring was
here q moment ago and now it Is
gone"
You see,'' said Vincent. Again
ask you to search me-"
My boy, you were not a day old
when first took you in my arms,
said Mr. Noailes. Il would as soon
accuse myself of crime as to believe
1t Of you"
We'll, If you won't said Vincent
briskly, 'Tll have to do it myself,
guess"
Rapidly he turned out the contents
OF his pockets, spreading them on the
table, John Noailes sprang forward as
though to stop hif, but Elvia laid
OBTAINING hand upon his shoulder
1T is better So she whispered. 1T
Is the only way to convince auntie."
- 81
had been returned to Chester's pock-
cts, then Mr. Noailes stepped for
ward.
This should satisfy you, Celeste"
he said sternly. / want to tell you
that If you ever raise the question
again shall not condone your second
offense."
Very WELL" said Miss Celeste with
shrug Of her shoulders. %since l
seem to be so much in the way here
l suppose that Mr.. Chester will per
init me to retire"
She swept grandly from the room
leaving the three to face each other
uncomfortably. All knew that Miss
Celeste was not satisfied, and were
fearful of her next outbreak
Each tried to appear at ease, but
the pleasure of the visit was gone and
presently Chester made an excuse for
taking his departure. Elvia followed
him to the door.
will you drop in tomorrow eve
ning?" she asked. "We shall proba-
bly, be able to tell you then where
We found the ring"
Il am efrsld that cannot get
around" he said uncomfortably. IF
you find it will you write?"
Wont you come over?" pleaded
Eavia, but Vincent shook his head.
He had been shocked by the accusa-
slon, and not even the belief OF Elvia
and her father could saIve his wound.
ed feelings yet It seemed almost as
though he were passing out Of Elvia's
life
I Up ia her room Miss Celeste was
sitting at her writing table. while her
busy pen covered sheet after sheet Of
note paper. Not until she had written
e dozen pages did she cease her work
and then going over to her bureau
she unlocked the upper drawer and
drew forth gaudy title-page. From
the inside Of this she clipped
coupon which she attached to the let
Ter before slipping it into an en-.
velOpe-
E A year before, while visiting the
city she had been tempted to visit a
vaudeville theater at which 3 man
and woman known as the X-Rays were
creating sensation with some mind
reading accomplishments, Always In
olined to the supernatural, she had
been greatly impressed by the Rays
accomplishment and had slipped back
The next afternoon to purchase some
Of the books which gave her the right
to ask questions BY mail.
once or twice since then she had
consulted the oracle and now she was
writing for advice as to the where
abouts Of the ring. It was well for
her faith that she was not present at
tha answering OF her question.