Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-04-22

tesque! Do you mean to say" she
added slowly. that nothing was taken
from that room but the-lingerie and
bundle of letters?"
Exactly" said Miss Cobb, "and I'd
thank you for the letters"
THE lettcrs!" Miss Julia retorted.
1--WE never been in your room l
haven't got the letters. I've never
seen them" Then light dawned in
her face. Lob, it's the funniest
ever!"
back and laughed until the tears rolled
down her cheeks and she held her
side.
"screamins!" she sasped. ITS
screaming! But. oh, Minnie, to have
seen your facet"
Miss Cobb swept to the door and
turned in a fury.
II do not think 1t 10 funny" she
stormed, aand shall report to Mr..
Carter at once what l have discov.
cred"
She banged out. and Miss Julia put
her head on q card table and wT;tHcS
with Joy. ITO have seen your face,
Minnie!" she painted, wiping her eyes.
ITO have thought you had Dick Car
tors letters, that keep rolled in an.
bestos. and then to have opened them
and found they were to Miss Cobb"
BE az happy - you like" snapped,
"but you are barking up the wrong
tree. don't know anything about
any letters and ~ far as that goes.
do you think I've lived here fourteen
years to get into the wrong room at
night? II I'd wanted to get into your
room. I'd have found your room. not
Miss Cobb's."
She sat up and pulled her hat
straight, looking mo right in the eye
III you'll recall" she said, Il came
into the springhouse. and Arabella
pulled that-Sarment Of Miss Cobb's
OF table. It was early-nobody was
out yet. You were alone. Minnie. or
no" she said suddenly, you we're not
alone. Minnie, who vas In the pan
try"
what has that to do with it," l
managed. with my feet - cold -
stone. 4
She got up and buttoned her sweat
or.
Don't trouble to lie." che said. Il
can see through stone wall as we'll
as most people. Whoever got those
letters thought they we're stealing
mine, and there are only two people
who would try to steal my letters;
one 10 Dick Carter. and the other il
his brother-in.law. It wasn't Sam in
the pantry-he came in just after with
his little snip Of . wife,"
"Well?" I managed.
But she was smiling again, not %
pleasantly.
Il might have known IT." she said.
What . fool I've been, Minnie, and
how clever you are under that red
thatch Of yours! Dicky cannot appear
an long a. am here. and Pierce takes
his place, and help to keep the SECRET
and to play the game! Well, can ap-
preciate joke on myself az well ~
most people, butVMinnie, Minnie.
think of that guilty wretch Of Dicky
Carter shaking in the pantry!"
II don't know what you are talking
about" said, but she only winksd and
went to the door.
Don't take 1t too much to heart, -
she advised. Too much loyalty IL .
vice. not . virtue. And another piece
Of advice. Minnie-when find Dicky
Carter, stand from under; something
will fall
They had charades during the rest
hour that afternoon. the overweights
headed by the bishop, against the un-
derweights headed by Mr.. Moody. They
selected their words from one of Hor.
ace Fletcher's books. and as Mr.. Pierce
wasn't either over or underweight.
they asked him to be referee.
Oh, they were crazy about him by
that time. It was "Mr Carter" here
and dear Mr.. Carter" there, with the
women knitting him neckties and the
men coming up to be bu1lied and ask
ing for more. And he kept the upper
hand, too, once he got 1t.
But II Mr.. Pierce was making hit
with the guests, he wasn't 20 popular
with the van-Alstynes or the Carriers.
The night the cigar stand was closed
Mr.. Sam came to me and leaned over
the counter.
Put the key in drawer" he said.
II can slip down here after the lights
are out and get smoke"
Cant do 1t, Mr.. Van Alstyns." I
said Got positive orders."
That doesn't include me-" He was
still perfectly sood-humored.
Sorry" / said. Have to have 4
written order from Mr.. Pierce"
He put silver dollar on the desk
between - and hooked ct me over It
'Will that open the case?' he asked.
But I shook my head.
well. IN b hanged! What the
devil sort q order did he give your"
He said. }" I repeated. that I'1 b
coaxsd and probably bsibsd 10 open
the cigar. oass. and that you'd prob
ably b the frst o0o 70 DO It, bat I
vas TO stick hrm:s ypa've been smok.
ing too nsch aad yenr nerves ~ -
ing" 554.5sss -
''Insolent young Duppy!" 10 a.
claimed angri1y. and stamped away.
SO that I was not sarpE1Ds1 swhea
on that night. FF1day,xl w. t0ld .
b q ths shsitss-Aosse g ten ese3eek