Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1916-07-20

mo, indeed; I'll fly to my room
and fetch my purse. l hid 1t before
l came down" She rose with switch
and glitter and parted the heavy
curtains. The light tapping of her
high heels echoed on the polished
floor of the hall.
There was general rising and
buzz of talk, adjustment of accounts,
and reminiscent chat of honors,
points and leads. Mrs. Gaynor left
the plano and joined the others.
Wendham approached her, deter
mination written large upon his face.
"Will you do me a favor, Nellie?"
he asked.
"Of course, delighted. What can
I do?" she inquired. cordially.
60 to bed," he commanded.
She laughed nervously. Dear me,
do you want to be rid OF me so
soon? l couldn't Sleep"
You can rest"
Rest" she repeated. "rest-I
don't know the word"
You must learn it, then"
You are kind to bother SO much
about me-and-as soon as can
Il am going to try"
In her weariness she had turned
to him with the sweet, relying graft
tude of expression that raises woman
ly charm to It's highest power. He
longed to take her in his arms, to
rA H1r 80 h,Jr
his knowledge and his love to her
instant need. Go rest--doctor's or
ders-Nellie;" his lips had framed
the endearing name, when an excited
clatter and q choking, hysterical cry
brought the party to their feet with
q common movement of anxiety.
CHAPTER v.
Mrs. Lawdon appeared at the
door. The well groomed beautiful
woman of a few moments before was
almost beyond recognition. Her face
had aged ten years, her hair hung
in disorder, a huge rent in the gold
en- gauze of her gown showed the
CLEAN of its white satin lining
mute evidence of the hurried regard
lessness of her fight. And, as last
detail of the incomprehensible, her
convulsive hands grasped a black
feather hat of enormous proportions.
For an instant her tragic, ridiculous
figure was silhouetted against the
dark portieres. Then she staggered
forward. tripping over her long frock,
waving the crumpled Gainsboro.
stammering for speech.
'She's gone mad!" gasped Mrs.
Evelyn, catching at her husbands
arm.
Mrs. Lawdon found her voice.
"I've been robbed robbed -
rob,edi" Her voice rose in thin
soprano gradations. MY dia-
monds-my emeralds my ruby!
They're gone. tell you! Gone!
Gone! gone!" She COLLAPSED upon
a chair, flinging her body half across
the center table, where she beat the
polished wood with her clenched
hands.
Alice Rawlins was the first to
grasp the situation. THE hat box!"
she gasped, her eyes upon the dam
aged millinery in Mrs. Lawdon's s
grasp. Its been opened"
The victim raised her head with a
jerk. You. you. Alice Rawlins,
You know where they were-you,'
She sprang erect. You and Mrs.
Gaynor-you were the only people
who did know"
Alice's astonished face famed
scarlet. DO you dare!"
Mrs, Gaynor turned white to the
lips, her great eyes blazed more
brilliant than the lost jewels. Mrs
Lawdon is not quite herself" Her
voice. full of fine, high breeding
fell like ice upon Mrs. Lawdon's few
cred utterance.
Realizing that she had lost self.
control. Mrs. Lawdon struggled foT
composure. but the magnitude of her
loss again overwhelmed her. You
must search-at-once- once.
want the police-send for the po-
hce!"
Mr.. Evelyn rang the electric bell
Il will give orders that all the ser
wants be brought to the dining room
We will examine them there. Vree
man." he continued, addressing the
butler. II want everyone of my en-
| ployees from the arden, house anc
stables-also the servants of my
| guests-to assemble at once in the
dining room. Permit no one to leave
the house or grounds on any pre-
text!"
The butler bowed, casting a glance
of awed inquiry at the excited grouI
| before him. AS he paused outside
| the door his trained ear plainl!
caught Mrs. Lawdon's protests.
Il won't have it. won't! ! wan
the police. want detectives! Char
lie!" she screamed. where's Char
lie? He'll make you send for thu
| police!"
| The slamming of distant doo'
and the approach of hurried feet an
| nounced the men from the billiard