New Britain herald., 1916-12-04
What Happened During the Memor- able First Night at the Cosgrove
 Farmhouse

Dicky's face was a study when I told him that I believed Mrs. Allis, our fellow-boarder at the CosgroVe farm house in the Catskills, intended to steal the valuable collection of paint ings in the farmhouse parlor.
 He looked at me for a long minute, his face blank With amazement. Then he threw back his head and laughed heartily in a way that I dislike in tensely
 eff it were in the summer time I should say that the heat had affected your brain' he said, but it's been cool today, so I'm afraid you're really going nutty. Odd I didn't notice any symptoms of it before. I think we'll have to have medical advice. Where does it hurt you worst dearest?"
 I flushed painfully, for Diclly's ridi- cule always hurts me cruelty; and turning toward the dresser I busied myself with putting into the drawers the contents of the suit case and travelling bag. Dicky's clothing I laid to one side, preparatory to putting it in his own room. I hoped that bv thus ignoring Dicky's railIery and bv affecting to be busy he might forget my unlucky speech concerning Mrs Allis.
 But my hope was fruitless Dic<v spoke again, and this time the jucular note had gone from his voice.
 Look here Madge,' he said gravely. "be mighty careful you don't say to any one else what you have just told me. You know how obstinate you are when you get on one of your theories. Going off on a tangent like this with Q woman about whom you know noth- ing, Is dangerous business"
 Tt is not foolish accusation" I returned coldly, "but a true one. as I shall prove to you before our week is out. But you need not be afraid that I shall hint my suspicious to any one else. l am not anxious to make a. fool of myself"
 NO? Is that so?" Diclzy drawled in mock astonishment that made my fingers itch to slap him. "Just going to De 8 little Sherlock Holmes all by herself isn't she? Well! well! well, what disguise do you think you will adopt?"
 turned my back upon him un- compromisingly, and went on with the arranging of my belongings.
 Bet Made.
 DiCky laughed softly, then. coming up behind me, drew my head back toward him and kissed me.
 Did her bad matter of fact hus band spoil all her romantic deduc- tions?" he asked, with his cheek against mine. Well, he won't say another word. Go on and prove that the man who stole Charlie Ross is lurking around here, for all I care. just so you don't tell anybody else about it.
 I wanted to draw away from him, to take refuge in cold silence, for I felt that he had been unjust in his ridicule. But I knew that resenting an apology of Dicky's-for that was what the caress and soothing words amounted to-would be like finder to the spark of his anger. Therefore I rested passively in his arms, and said demurely:
 II surely shall not tell any one else but I'd like to make a wager with you that the end of the week will prove I am right in my suspicion
 Dicky whirled me around, then held me off with a quizzical look with which admiration was mingled.
 Well, if you're not sporting proposition . he said. 'Ill just take you on that. What odds shall I give you?"
 "None," responded promptly well make it dinner at Vanusetts.'
 "Done!" Dicky said, and then, stretching his arms up, he gave pro- digious yawn. ''I don't believe I was ever so tired in my life, he said. I'm not going to put these things