The Concordia sentinel. (Vidalia, Concordia Parish, La.) 1882-current, 1920-07-03
Two Days at
Rest Cure
By JOHN FIRST BROOK

The season was rather dull at the
Rest Cure. The ladies' had been wish
ing for something to happen out of
the ordinary when the advent of
guest who refused to be sOciable set
them all in a flutter of excitement.
Are we all quite sure that we saw
the crutches?" asked Mrs. Dunvegan
as she poured tea.
"Oh, yes, my dear; l. for one, am
quite pOsitive-twO crutches with
leather tops" proclaimed the widow
Pepper, as she fingered the lOcket that
contained the portrait Of her dead hus-
band.
"What night was II we saw them
conner piped Miss Tinpenny. "Slnce
my nerves have been so sensitive ]
can't remember dates, or handker'
chiefs. or anything important.
at was last Wednesday evening"
declared Mrs. LOOney. a fat woman In
scarlet sweater coat; being so SEN
sitive to the weather / remember II
was raining a perfect dOwnpOur. We
had just finished dinner, you all recol-
lect, when they came into the office,
the woman stamping and shaking the
rain all about, and saying TO the clerk
as soon as she reached the desk, You
got my letter! l hope you can let me
have rooms on the ground floor. vii
not stay unless | can be quite away
from the other guests. l have reasons
for not wishing to he disturbed"
"Yes, yes" murmured Miss Tin.
| penny, at all comes back to me now
dear Mrs. LoOney, for you describe
things very well. am quite sure you
J could write sonnet. The man witt
| the crutches followed her"
"Such a lot Of baggage as the!
had" softly murmured Mrs. Fish.
thin woman with straight hair anC
Scant clothing.
"Yes," chimed in Mrs. Pepper, "wha
a fuss and clatter there was. BOxe
and bundles. and two trunks. The poo
man with the clutches was banded
about and carried along in the mids
Of the confusion. No one took sing
thought of him, poor fellow. I SUP
pose he was tumbled in with the res
of her baggage. for when she at las
banged her door the man with tn
crutches was gone"
"POOr fellow" faltered Mrs. Fish
perhaps he did not pass us. but h
may have climbed out of the hall viii
dow"
with crutches" Intercepted a
the ladies at once.
mot possible, my dear" drawle
Mrs. LOOney.
swell, none Of us really saw him g
into the ROOM" persisted Mrs. Fish.
"NO. we did not" assented Mr.
Dunvegan, "but that he went in "
are all quite sure. for we heard h
clutches pounding on the floor"
"My impression is that the perso
is medium. and that she smuggle
him in while she kept our minC
merged in a SubcOnSciOus mist" mu
ingly suggested Mrs. Pepper.
swell. who are they? Perhaps Il
man with the clutches is ILL.," furth
inquired Mrs. Tyroll.
"we looked In the hotel registe
Two names were given-Miss Bur
holder and below a name so hlOtt'
we could not make It out we thong
we recognized an s. and an NJ"
"No matter" murmured Mrs. Duny
gan. ''the name was purposely d.
guIsed. and I. FOR one. decidedly q
ject to such deceit going on under o
!. very noses"
, "I suppose we might form ourselv
: into an investigating committee" sa
!, Mrs. LOoney, "if II were not so mu
trouble"
"NOw." said Mrs. Dunvegan, "1et
60 about the thing in an open. straigl
: forward manner. Let us go right
!. the point. I will myself interview {
:, proprietor Though I'm afraid he h
been bribed). You. Miss Tinpennv.
terview one chamhermaid. Mrs. PPpT
the other one Mrs. Fish. could Y
:, take hold of the bellbOy?
p "And Won. Miss Tyroll, would y
9 mind tackling the bathman:"
IN Don't ask me-" objected the ne
70 conner. Remember. I never saw
anpariticn of the mar with
crutches. Anyway. especially at r
cures, believe In letting sleep
c dogs lie."
IL ave must dress for dinner"
Of claimed Mrs. Dunvegan, rising.
rs The next afternoon the ladies Z
to as usual at the hour. There could
H. observed an undercurrent of 8
n pressed excitement Mrs. Dunvet
'ir looked nervously about
TO "Where is Miss Tinpenny? She
OF the only one absent. do hone
n moor nerves have Iot given way.
Is. Won find ont anything definite from
re helIbov about the person on the grol
bd floor. Mrs. Fish,"
III She took a small piece of paper n
NJ her reticule as the timid lady m
u answer.