The Press., 1920-01-01
AMATEUR SLEUTH
By MARGUERITE |. BLUE.

.t-~--~~~>->~~~~~~~~ ~~~~s~s+t (0. 1919, by Mcclure Newspaper SyEdicate)
 Alice Cain stood on the front steps and waved laughing fareWel! to hcl father and mother and little brother, Bobby. They were going on an ail-day trip to the harvest fair in the next county.
 When they had turned the last corner which hid them from sight, she turned back into the house with d sigh. She stood for moment with arms akimbo.
 "NOW, what shall I have for dinner?' 1 have just had breakfast but l might just as well get dinner ready now and then I will not have to bother about it later, and 1 can read or do something interesting" she said to herself.
 Alice went into the winter cellar, where the potatoes, preserves and dry vegetables were kpt. She had been bending over the potato barrel for mo- ments before she strengthened up to rest her back. She was halfway up when she caught her breath. "What was that?' From behind her; no, it was over her head, came a distinct sound as of a sigh. She waited. Per haps it would come again. There could not possibly be anyone in the she do? She did not move for several moments. Then just as distinctly, as if someone was beside her, the noise came again. It was a sigh. Someone was in that cellar.
 She picked up the dish of potatoes, and after waiting again for several more moments, she stepped out into the main cellar. >Nothing was here, surely. She went On-her heart stood still. What was that under the stairs She peered into the darkness. Some thing was lying prone upon the floor. Something long and black. Fear seem ed to have fled, but courage had not come. She went nearer In the dusk nothing was distinct. She knelt and put her hand out. Why, it was Jerry.
 "Jerry! Jerry!" she called; but he did not move. She touched his nose. It was icy. Surely he wasn't dead She called again, but he did not an sWer.
 "Who had done this?" It was all that she asked. There should he some signs. no criminal can completely coy CT his tracks. She went slowly back, looking on the floor quite closely so that nothing could escape her. In front of the furnace lay white square of cloth. It Was handkerchief. She picked it up and, looking carefully, saw that in one corner were two hand embroidered initials, a double "R.' How d.d Ralph Riders handkerchief come to be in the cellar? Surely he could not have done the deed. but here was proof that he had been in the eel lar.
 Ralph. Rider lived next door to the Gains. His family had moved there about year before America had en- tered the war. He had served his time in the army and had returned a few months previous.
 Alice went on further. On shelf at one side was stack of old news papers which dated back three or four years. She bent over and felt around Suddenly her hand struck something She picked it up and looked at it. Ii was gold cuff link and looked as if it might have been there for some time
 Her eyes were on a level with nail upon which hung long metal chain Her veXatiOn was forgotten in the sur of al, {nD it down to examine it, but only too well she knew that it was Ralph's leash fol his dog.
 She waited no longer but ran swift ly across the lawn through the hedge and to the back door of Ralph's house Ralph answered the door himself tC her imperative rap. His bright sunny smile changed to good natured perpleX ity and then slowly. very slowly t( wrath. Finally he lifted his hand fol her to stop and then very quietly said
 II know nothing about what you are talking about"
 Finally. after ages and ages, Wher the shadows had commenced to flicker across the parlOr carpet, the autOmO bile drove into the yard. Alice placed the supper on the table fer now tha her family was here, she could wait { little longer before telling them.
 They had been seated about tht table for short time when her father looked up and saw heart-bieakin; look on Alice's face.
 "Why, what's up?" he inquired. AnC then she told them the whole stOr, sparing n0thing even to what she hat said to Ralph They listened quictl, and then Bobby sheltered:
 "Well," said his father, "out witt it."
 "Wel," said Bobby, II was out walk ing with Ralph the other day and hac left my handkerchief at home ant Ralph let me take his. must have jos it when 1 was in the cellar this morn ing. And don't you remember, pa when you were looking for those Olt clippings last month and suddenl Ralph missed his cuff link, well, h. must have lost it down there. As fo the leash, Alice hung it there hersel the last time the kitten ran away"
 But" exclaimed his mother "Nh Ina aDOut Jerry?"
 "Why, you sec" continued Bobby we've been playing war lately ant Jerry has to be the dead soldiers st I taught him."
 ''The poor dog exclaimed his moth CT, "locked in the cellar all day fo just playing"
 She turned to look at Alice reproach fully but just the last flash of her skir was seen dist.i peariug through t}& hodge.