Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1919-04-03

try to prove that she was else
whore. But, in such a case, why
not say she Vas in her own roo,nf
1t wasn't plausible that she should
confess to being in the hall, if she
We're really i'll the boudoir. That,
then, was in Pauline's favor. But
the conversation detailed by Ami
ia? That must be further ana
lyzed.
These thoughts flew through
Stones quick moving brain as he
stood looking at his beautiful
hostess.
"Puzzling it out. Mr.. Stones"
and Pauline smile was a full
f1edged one now; "perhaps l can
help you. If you'll except my
assistance without doubling my
word, I'm sure we a do Won
ders in a detective way"
This was NOT III Pauline favor.
1t was too much like bargaining
with him to believe her innocent.
Then, too, though all unconscious
Of it, Stone was influenced by the
wonderful charm of the girl.
Though her lips were smiling a lit
tie. her great dark eyes still held
that look of fear, that hunger for
protection, that desire for some
one ON whom to lean
"And l won't send for my cou-
sin just yet she went on. Its
too bad to call him home when
he's SO busy owe there. You
know, Mr.. Stone, that Mr.. Loria
is a wonderful man. His achieve
ments in excavation have brought
him fame and glory. And you
mustn't think he's heartless be-
cause he doesn't return at once.
You know it was all arranged for
us to go over there next month
and he had made all sorts of
plans for us and for himself. He
can't leave his work at a mo-
ment notice, unless, as he says,
| have need of him."
"Was he fond of his aunt7" in
quired Stone, casually.
she was her idol. To Aunt
Lucy the sun rose and set in Carr.
She was perfectly crazy to go on
this trip to Egypt, in order to be
with him. He was fond of her,
yes. More so than / was, because
she was always kind and good
natured to him, while she was al
ways unpleasant to me-"
why was she3"
IL don't know. Well, I sup.
pose l may as well tell you, one
reason was because abe was al
ways envious Of anyone whom
whom she considered better look
ing than she was herself. This
may sound strange to you, Mr..
Stone, but it was the keynote Of
my aunt's existence. She adored
beauty in every way-pictures,
clothes, everything-but she was
SO sensitive about her own plain
ness, that a younger or ~prettier
face made her, at times, irritable
and even cruel. She would never
engage a servant with any preten-
sions to good looks. Therefore,
as she chose to consider Miss
Frayne and myself of comely per-
sonal appearance, she was unkind
to us both"
"And Mr.. Loriai Is he not
handsome7"
"Oh, yes, very. But Aunt
Lucy liked handsome men. Carr
Loria is like a picture. His father
was of Italian descent, and Carr
has the clear olive skin and dark
beauty of that race. Gray Havi.
land is good looking, too, but il
was only feminine prettiness that
stirred up Aunt Lucy s. ire
"Why did she ever engage such
an angel face as Miss Fraynei Z
Fleming Stone watched closely
for q sign Of irritation at THU
speech, and saw it. Pauline,
smile faded and she said, alb
ruptly:
do you think her SO beauti
fuli"
"She has the perfect blond.
fairness usually typiied by tn,
celestial white robed creatures OF
the old canvases."