The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1917-09-10
1.-THE MOSS MYSTERY

>~~-~~~~~-N~~~>>~.e~
rather ostenthtlously titled Woods
hurst. for II was merely big frame
house. OF the architecture OF the
early seventies. ono Of the worst
periods America boasts. Square.
oven cubic. with another smaller
cube on top for n eupola. A large
rear extension" and recently ad-
ded porte-cochere and sun parlor
relieved tho cubleity. but added TO
tho ungracefulness.
And yct. the charm OF tho host.
eHH permeated the whole place, and
felt. the moment ! entered The
hall, the lure OF Marybcile. The
very blaze Of the fires. tho flicker
Of the cabdies and the scent OF the
maRsed flowers. with here and
there burning pRsilile. all as
sailed my senses AZ with the wiles
OF an nnchantress. quite obiit.rAt.
Ing any impressions that might
have been made by tho blatant
pompoHity OF the black walnut
doors and heavy plaster corniees.
Everything was moro or less re-
modelled Hardwood floors re-
placed the pine boards. and electric
fixtures had been attached 10 the
great gas chandeliers. NO that the
effects wero as anomalous inside
"a out
But all was blended and harmon
iEed by the magic % the mistress.
and ] went 20 my room. on the
third floor. conscious OF distinct.
ly pleasant f.cllng OF anticipation,
did not ser MArybellc until tho
dinner hour. and then the sudden
flash % welcome Ia her cych. sensi.
tive lips and the touch OF her warm.
vital hands thrilled me as no WON
an ever had before.
No. | insist II was only interest
and we'll. curiosity. wanted to
study her. FOR had never before
met Just such n woman.
"Mr,. Prali.~ she cried. Eaiiy
hos darling u you 10 COME !
was no airaid you wouldn't and I
simply had 10 have you. How do
you want 20 be entertained? BY
dcbutRnte'a chatter. or some man.
TALK There's n tiny biz Of time
before dinner--oh. here's a man I
want you 90 meet. Gcoffrey. Earl
Hsrringdcan. Mr. Praii."
liked HIS Iordship at once
when an English noblemaa IN a
good sort he's m aVfully good sort.
and Herrinxoean was. II seemed 10
inc.
The debuiante was Ciasy Car
rrau. very young and very
frenchy bit % Hienderneas. who
ant next mo at dinner. She proved
20 be little more than n giggling
school girl. and turned 10 the
lady At my left.
She was Miss Field. MRrybelle's
companion. and she showed Just
tho right combination of yivacity
and repression that companion
ought to exhibit Apparently she
wae used TO Il. for tho role fitted
her and required no effort Mrs.
Wesley and Marybelle were the
only other women and the men
were Herrlngdenn. Wesley. Sellany
and myself
Rock Bellamy. never knew
whether his name VAS Rockwell OF
Rockingham or what. was tho VII.
inse cutup ! don't mppos. they
called him that. bit Il tickets him
sufficiently for the moment
Tho dinner hour was merry. rvai.
~ gay. Being only eight OF us. the
conversation was general and
everybody did his best TO entertain
and he entertained. Both are ex-
ertiops for me. 40 | like best To
study people without bothering 20
talk or he talked 10. AND here
was no interesting bunch 10 study
From Narybelle. always predomi.
oaot. SoSsn 10 little Cissy. piping
out her absurd opinions. they were
all worthwhile bits Of human IA
ture.
The Earl. tho quite evidently IN
aecustoned 70 American yivacity.
was adaptable. and In his big. good
bumored way. appreciated the
ouick.fire. up dnte repartee.
And this was fortunate. for after
the engagement was announced. be
war subjected 70 raillery and 10.
cmd toasts that were not always
in accordance with bio EogliHo
point Of view.
hut he laughed with the rest aud
responded easily and appropriately.
II not In kind.
After dinner there WAS bridge.
Only four NJ vs. plsycs. however.
as the newly betrothed uir felt
privileged 10 wasser caT ny them.
selves. aa6 Frank wesley wanted
70 smoke NlS@ Fl&d cfYaesa her.
~,af. 10 Ciscy Carreau aas playse
asqtim#m MsAsu wesley md hsi bsDy.
YEA nm 1sttiaS 70 los ssoss.
ShA tAs hvtdyee Nsme b ~ . eer-
vskn nm eoyssuDee. IN shoe i,ag Aee
we eerbsst triHeb h&Sss trsJty 10
gacga possibilities. NGl. coo't
cara II that is @ little mixee "a to
metaphor it's true. | guess know
how to toll n mystery story. You
have TO gi@e all tho necessary data
in the BodW OF the story. al isn't
fair to spring surprise at the end
that couldn't possibly have been
foreseen by the reader. And, too,
I'm telling this Moss Mystery story
just as Il happened. and tho II
hadn't begun TO happen at the time
we played bridge. yet what occur
red ut tho card table had. think.
great bearing on tho theories of
Al NJ k-~a 81 tt.