The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1922-04-13

and Florence's, your W niece and
nephew, Julia You don't mean you
deny 1t, do you, Julia7"
She was In great confusion: "Do I
deny what?"--
''That his name is CrumI !" Noble
said passionately. 'That his name Is
Crum anG that he's a widower anf
he's been divorced and's got nobody
knows how many children !"
Julia sought to collect herself. II
don't know what you're talking
about" she said. IF you mean that
| happened TO meet a very charming
man while l was away, and that his
name Happened to be Crum, | dom
know why | should go to the trouble
Of denying It. But If Mr.. Crum has
had the experiences you say he has,
II Is certainly news to me! ] think
someone told me he was only twenty
SIX years old. He looked rather
younger"
you think SOM one told you"
Noble groaned. "Oh, Julia, Julia
And here 1t is, all down In black and
white, in my pocket! !"
81 haven't the slightest idea what
you're talking about" Julia's tone
was cold, and she drew herself up
haughtily, though the gesture was In
effective, so far as Noble was cJn-
lerned. in the darkness Of the CULVER
ing interior. The quivering stopped
just then, however, as the taxicab
halted before her house.
"Will you come in with me a mo-
ment, pleaseT 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.
There's no light In the front part OF
the house."
There was nc light In any other
part of the house, either, as they dis
covered after abandoning the bell for
an excursion to the rear. That's dis
heartening to a 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 a hall luster while Noble
brought in her bags from the steps
where the taxicab driver had left
them.
There's nobody at nom at ALL"
Julia said, thoughtfully.
"No. 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 a lingering gentleness
set them in a corner. Then, dumbly,
he turned to go.
wait, please" said Julia. 81 want
TO ask you a few things-especially
about what you've got all down In
black and white In your pocket. viii
you shut the door. II you please. and
20 into the library and turn on the
lights and wait there while | look
over the house and see IL ! can find
why it's all closed up like this.
ITS chilly. The furnace seems TO
be off" she said. "i'fi-' But instead
of declaring her intentions. she enact
ed them taking a match from the lit
tie white porcelain trough on the man
telpiece and striking II on the heel OF
her glittering shee. Then sine kneit
before the CRATE and set the flame T."
excelsior beneath the kindling and
coal. you mustn't freze," she sad,
with a thoughtful Kindness that killed
him.
sim Robinson Crusoe, Noble" she
said. when she came back. IL suppose
! might as well take OFF my furs,
though" She did so. first unfasten.
ing the great bouque. she wore and
tossing IL upon a table. Noble was
standing close, to the table. but moved
away from it hurriedly. This revulsicn
she failed to notice and she went on
10 explain. as she dropped her cloak
and stole upon a chair. "Papa's gone
away for al least a week. He's taken
his ulster. Ii doesn't make any diff
ferences what the weather is. he never
wears his ulster In this town, hut
when he's going away for a week, or
longer. he always takes II with him,
except in summer"
~ suppose" said Noble huskily, 81
suppose you'll 90 TO some OF your
aunts or brothers or cousins or some
thing"
no." she said. My trunk may
come up from the station almost any
time, and r close the mouse they'll
take II back. The servants are hay-
ing a holiday. not expecting me
back"