The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-04-03
HER acid TONGUE
BY JOHN BEAUMONT.

you say so and search me-"
Vincent" cried Elvia How can
you say such a thing"
I'm simply putting into words
what Miss Celeste has been limiting
for the last ten minutes" he cried.
Celeste may have been unfortun.
ate In her remarks" said John Noailes
soothingly. but she meant nothing of
that sort"
Vincent Chester laughed. Ever
since Miss Celeste Noailes descended
upon her brothers household at the
death Of his wife, she had fought
Vincent He was boy then but even
then in love with Elvia and Miss
Celeste had higher ideas Of matri-
mony for her very attractive niece.
This evening the two had been ex-
aiming a ring and somehow, none
knew how. it had disappeared. They
had hunted all over for 1t, but 1t could
not be found and 1t was to be expect
ed that Miss Celeste's acid tongue
would but thinly veil her suspicious
thoughts.
If Mr.. Chester's conscience is un.
easy" chuckled Miss Celeste, Il can
understand that he takes to himself
purely impersonal speeches"
Vincent turned to Mr. Noailes. will
you search me, SIR" he asked.
Nonsense" cried his host. Celeste,
for heavens sake keep still My boy,
no one believes that you would steal
anything-except one thing"
He patted Elvias shoulder mean.
ingly to explain his last sentence and
thereby added fuel to Miss Celeste's
flame.
Il don't see why he should not be
searched she fumed "The ring was
here moment ago and now 1t Is
gone"
You see" said Vincent. Again l
ask you to search me-"
MY boy, you were not day old
when l first took you in my arms"
said Mr. Noailes. Il would as soon
accuse myself Of crime as to believe
1t OF you"
Well II you won't" said Vincent
briskly, I'll 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 him, but Elvia laid
OBTAINING hand upon his shoulder.
1t is bette: SO, she whispered 1T
is the only way to convince auntie."
They stood silent until the things
had been returned to Chesters peck
cts, then Mr. Noailes stepped for
ward.
This should satisfy you, Celeste
he said sternly. Il want to tell you
that if you ever raise the question
again shall not condone your second
offense.'
Very well" said Miss Celeste with
a shrug of her shoulders Since |
seem to be so much in the way here
suppose that Mr.. Chester will per-
nit 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 I'VE shall proba.
bly, be able to tell you then where
we found the ring"
Il am afraid that l cannot get
around" he said uncomfortably. III
you find 1t will you writer"
Wont you come over?" pleaded
Elvia, but Vincent shook his head.
He had been shocked by the accusa-
ton, and not even the belief Of Elvia
and her father could salve his wound
ed feelings yet. 1t seemed almost as
though he were passing out Of Elvia's
life.
Up in 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
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 Al
coupon which she attached to the let.
ter before slipping it into an en-.
velope.
A year before, while visiting the
city, she had been tempted to visit a
vaudeville theater at which a man
and woman known as the X-Rays were
creating a sensation with some mind
reading accomplishments Always in.
clined 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 |
far ad.iaa 70