New Britain herald., 1922-02-15

'Where's mother. Aunt Margaret i' Ghc qucried,
 "Shc l. q Thief"
 "t tlmR she went tp her room" returned,
 You're sure she Isn't at the front of the house."
 No dear"
 "AIi right" She threw herself into q dance posture, gradually wiggcd over 10 tho place where she had dc posted the necklace, made swift swoop and picked something up, con- ccaling it in her robe, and hoated of again into the center of the i'm provised ring, There she stopped and called to Marion, who was industri- ously turning another series of hand springs as finale to her part Of the program
 This will be the finish of the first part of the entertainment, she an nounced importantly. Now, come around to the sidc Of tho house while we get up that Wild West show, Come along Jerry
 She led the way around the side Of the house while Lillian and I smiled at each other over her busting air But both smiles were tempered with regret for the unlo,ely characteristic which we had seen displayed by Mary Har- rison.
 Margaret Margaret :"
 Elizabeth Harrison's voice, raucous. excited. came to us from down the hall. and second later she had ap- peared st the door Of the room again. for the first time l saw her shorn of her provoking composure. Her face was flushed. and her eyes held an ugly glitter.
 T have found out the reason why your maid left so suddenly and mys- teriously. Margaret" she said hastily, She is thief. My Oriental neck : lace is gone. has been stolen. and, of course. she has taken it."
 For an instant saw red, and am afraid l was perilously near to burt. ins out the truth 10 her. bctraying poor, naughty, little Mary to her mothers wrath. Then the habit of which I have always done reverence, steadied me, and replied quietly;
 Y am sure you are mistaken, Elizabeth. Katie has been with me for years. and while she is meddle. some. she is absolutely honest. ] will help you hunt for the necklace. and ] am sure you will find if somewhere lbout the place. Ycu may have Topped it.
 inc hat l, ,.<. become feeble minded, Margaret ?'' ,'iiaabeth's manuer was masniicently ontomrtuous. Y am not in the habit bt dropping my jcwels" "-her manner
 g-tatcd . large and valuable collec- | Ion -"and distinctly remember ucking this into my case before Katie i eft. l have not taken it out since" ! You keep your keys where any me could have access to them, then !' inquired smoothly.
 By q certain startled look in her eyes l knew as well as if she had spoken that something had occurred to her which quashed her theory of katie's guilt But she is the type of woman who never rccedcs from q position once she has taken it.
 T keep them where no one but q clever thief could find them she re- torted, then added queruousy: "But, of course. I'll make q thorough search | for them You do not object if l go into all the rooms, do youf Katie may have become frightened and have hidden it after she took it, or, of course, there is possibility that some child may have meddled.''
 She was looking straight at Lillian as she spoke, but my friend smiled at her as if she had just uttered the most amusing jest in the world
 Pray take my room first Madee, she said carele ssy turning to the win dow and seating herself in a big arm, chair. And while Elizabeth turned over exerythipg rudely she watched her with a quiet smiling amusement which I guessed was driving my sis | ter law wild We went on. Eliza beth and I, 10 the other rooms, and searched them thoroughly. Finally my sisterin-law said decisively:
 It's no use, Margaret. either Katie has it or that Marion has taken it out ! to play with what's that'"
 From the yard had come an car. piercing shriek k Marion's voice:
 Mother oh, mother Qrick- quick quick .'