The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1922-02-23

and Florences. your own niece and
nephew, Julia You don't mean you
deny II, dc you, Julia?"
She was In great confusion do
deny what?"
THAT his name is Crum." Noble
said passionately. "rhat his name is
Csum ana that he's Il widower an
he's been divorced and's got nobody
knows how many children !"
Julia sought 70 collect herself. II
dent know what you're talking
about" she said IF you mean Tint
| happened 10 meet a very charming
man while | was away, and that his
name happened 10 be Crum, dom
Know why | should go To the trouble
Of denying II. But If Mr. Crum has
had the experiences you say he hns,
il is certainly news to me. l think
someone told me he was only twenty
SIX years old. He looked rather
younger"
you think some one told YOU"
Noble groaned. "Oh, Julia, Julia
And here it is. all down in black and
white. in my pocket"
81 haven't the slightest idea wha.
you're talking about" JuIia's tone
was cold, and she drew herself up
haughtily, though the gesture was In
effective, SO far as Noble was cbn-
cerned, in the darkness Of the CULVER
ing interior. The quivering stopped
just then, however, as the taXlcab
halted before her house.
"Wlll you come IN with me mo-
ment, please?" Julia said as she got
out. There are some things | want
to ask you-and I'm sure papa hasn't
come home from downtown yet.
the house"
There was no light in any other
part of the house, either, as they dis
covered after abandoning the bell for
an excursion 10 the rear. That's dis
heartening tn hungry person." Julia
remarked; and then remembered that
she had a key To the front door In
her purse. She opened the door and
lighted hall Iuster while Noble
brought in her bags from the steps
where the taXicab driver had left
them.
There's nobody at home at ALL"
Julia said thoughtfully.
mo. Nobody" her sad companion
agreed, shaking his head. Nobody AT
all. Julia. Nobody at all" Rousing
himself. he Went back for the golf
tools, and with lingering gentleness
set them i'm corner. Then. dumbly,
he turned To 20.
Wait, please" said Julia. Il want
10 ask you few things-eSpeciaIl
about what you've got all down in
black and white in your pocket VIII
you slut the door, If you please. and
90 into the library and turn on the
lights and wait there while | look
over the house and see if | can find
why it's all closed up like this.
IRIS chilly. The furnace seems To
be- Off" She said. "Ill--" But instead
of declaring her intentions. she enact
ed them: taking match from the lit
tie white porcelain trough on the man
telpiece and striking il on the heel Of
her glittering shoe. Then she knelt
before the CRATE and set the flame ("
excelsior beneath the kindling and
coal. You mustn't freze" she said,
with a thoughtful kindness that killed
him.
I'm Robinson CruSoe, Noble" she
said, when she came back 81 suppose
| might as well take off my furS.
though" She did so, first unfasten-
ing the great bouquet she wore and
tossing il upon table. Noble was
standing close 10 the table. but moved
away from il hurriedly. This revulSion
she failed 10 notice: and she went on
10 explain, as she dropped her CLOAK
and stole upon chair. "Papa's gone
away for at least week. He's taken
his ulster II doesn't make any dit
ferences what the weather is. he never
wears his ulster in this town, but
when he's going away for week. OF
longer, he always takes it with him.
except in summer"
81 suppose" said Noble huSkily, 81
suppose you'll go to some OF your
aunts or brothers or cousins or some
thing"
mo- she said. MY trunk may
come up from the station almost any
time. and If ! close the house they'll
take IL back. The servants are hay.
ing II holiday, not expecting me
back"
CTO BE CONTINUED