The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-10-03

and then the duchess-lfke Mrs. De
Peyster. Then quickly and sound
lessly the heavy door had closed
Now again the heavy. sound
proof door of the study began to
open-noiselessly. inch by inch
Again the face of Mr.. Bradford
appeared in the crack. This tims
he watched the bowed figure Of
the solitary Mrs, De Peyster fol
several moments; considered
measured the distance to the dooi
of escape; evaluated the silencine
quality of the deep librJry rug;
then slipped through the door
closed 1t, and with tread as soft
as birds wing against the air hi
slipped on out of the room, clos
ing the door without sound.
After a time Mrs. De Peystel
mounted weakly to the more init
mate asylum of her private sit,
ting room.
The collapsed Mrs. De Peyster
heard Matilda enter, pause, then
pass into the bedroom, but did not
look up; nor moment later when
.0livetta re-entered from the bed.
room, did she at first raise her de-
jected head.
why, what's the matter
Cousin Caroline " cried Olivetta
There was no occasion for main
tanning an appearance before Oil
vetta, so Mrs. De Peyster related
her misfortune.
do you realize what 1t means
Olivetta she concluded in a be-
numbed voice. ut means that, ex.
cept for less than a thousand
which | have on hand-a mere
nothing am pennies until
more dividends are due-perhaps
months! | cannot go to Europe."
But, Caroline" Olivetto cried
why not borrow the money from
the bank, as you say Judge Harvey
suggested" 17e.'a
"Olivetta, you should know that
that is against my principles
She tried to instill proud rebuke
into her voice. But just here was
the pinch-or one of them. TIC
cover the excess in her expenses
she had already borrowed-secret.
ly, for she would never have had
1t come to Judge Harvey's knowl-
edge-from her bank to the very
limit of her personal credit.
But, Caroline" pursued the
sympathetic Olivetta, cant ydu
cut down expenses and remain In
town? What With your credit, you
have enough for that" q .a#s4
Mrs. De Peyster turned slowly
about and gazed at Olivetta-
gazed at her steadily.
You have an idea, Caroline?'
cried Olivetta. struck by her look
wait. Matilda"
The housekeeper Instantly ap.
peared.
Matilda, call William and have
him waiting in the hall till sum.
mon him. Come back immediate
ly."
"But. Cousin Caroline, what IL
it," asked Olivetta excitedly, al
Matilda went out.
Watt" said Mr.. De Peyster
In a majestic tone.
A minute passed, Mrs. De Pey-
ster standing composedly by the
fireplace, Olivetta gazing at her in
throbbing suspense. Then Ma
tilda returned.
Matilda, you have proved your
loyalty to me by twenty years OF
service" she began, "and you,
Olivetta, I know, are completely
devoted to me. So I know you
both will faithfully execute my re-
quests. But | must ask you not
to breathe a ward OF what l tell
you, and what we do"
"I?" cried Olivetta. Never a
styllable!"
Nor I, ma declar-
ed Matilda.
But first, Matilda, l must &C.
quaint you with a situation that
has just arisen" And Mrs. De
Peyster outlined such details of
her predicament as she thought
Matilda needed to know. And
now, here are my orders. Matilda.
The house, of course, is being
boarded up. as usual. All the SER
wants are sent away except Will
liam. You, Matilda, are to remain
here alone in charge of the house
as has been your custom. The re-
port that I am sailing is 10 be al
lowed to stand But in reality
Yes, in reality " cried the ex-
cited Olivetta.
'In reality" continued Mrs. De
Peyster calmly. "I shall. during
the entire summer, say here in my
own house."
Stay here." calculated 0iiv-
eta. Aks
Stay here. Chiefly u my
suite. Secretly, of course. No one
but you two will ever know of 1t.
By staying here. I shall be prac-
tically at no expense. But the
world will think I am in Europe,
and my position will be saved"
Staggered as she was. Olivetts
had remaining a few fragments OF
reason.
But-but, Caroline, PeoNerill
see that you do not sail. BOW wiz
you get around THAR"