Evening star., 1923-10-21

lessly through the unfamiliar
N dusk of the drawing room,
u y reaching out along the sides
of the wall for some button or drop
chain, and found the piano lamp at
last. The room leaped into light.
"wenl Here we are" he breathed.
"Now, the first thing, we'll go to bed"
he mused
He dragged his heavy suitcase into
Bob's room. but the bed was piled
with hat boxes and dressmakers' car
tons. A look at little Roberts funny,
painted Noah's ark bed disclosed
typewriter, raised high on n pyramid
of rugs
We'll! After all the directions,
she's forgotten he muttered. and
strolled resentfully into Sues room.
But Sue never forgot. The room
was fresh and clean, the windows
open. the shades drawn. On the white
counterpane, turned down to an IN
viting triangle, pajamas and bath
robe lay expectantly; slippers OF
Turkish toweIing stood below. Under
the bed light Il novel and a magazine
waited. on the pillow note di-
rected in Sues unmistakable clear
square hand caught his eye.
He opened 1t. grinning sheepishly.
Dear Roddy," Sue-an accom-
plished novelist, was able to write
exactly as she talked-thus:
II told Mrs. Waggenheimer to
leave your breakfast tray all ready.
There are rolls in the large box
marked cake opposite the gas range.
and cream and butter and fruit in
the refrigerator. The coffee is all
ready in the percolator on the range;
all you have to do is to light the
gas below 1t, before your bath, and
It will be ready when you are. But
remember to turn off the gas when
you take away the percolator, won't
YOU? Mrs. Waggenheimer will come
in at 10 and clean up.
"I suppose you'll lunch downtown,
but Virgie Storrs Is in town and she
said that unless you phoned her to
the contrary, she'd expect you for
dinner and scratch up some one for
bridge. It's Rhinelander 3210. You
don't have to change for dinner. If
you need any clothes, Bob always has
a change in his bureau. Leave out
anything you want washed, for Mrs.
Waggenhelmer.
Wen expect you on the 1885 Fri
day, and If you're bringing Robert
any sweets. Turkish paste is better
than chocolate. If your driver is still
unmended, Bob has an extra ones.
Remember about the gas.
SUE"
We'll. that seems to be that he
murmured
In the course OF comfortable
breakfast he was disturbed by the
sharp twanging of a bell somewhere
in the apartment. He strode 10 the
front door. but no one stood behind
II. The bell twanged again, and he
traced the sound to n house tele-
phone IN the rear hall. Selling the
receiver feverishly, he called, Hello!
Hello" several times, but only dull
buzzing answered him. He fled to the
telephone in the dining room, while
the terrible ringing continued.
Central clicked back at him. NUM-
Der, please"
Great heavens, where is that bell -
he demanded furiously, and strode to
rhe back door. flinging it wide to con-
front youth in uniform who ex-
tended morning paper pacifcally.
Mrs. brent told me to be sure you
got this" said the youth
* !: (: *
HE poured himself n second cup
l. l. of coffee and unfolded the paper
Again the bell-softer this time. He
walked more calmly to the kitchen.
Even as he opened the door he was
aware of loud sudden bang in front
Of him, and a persistent bell ringing
sounding at his left. At the same
moment he beheld q young woman in
sky-blue pajamas and high-heeled
cloth-of- gold slippers. Two short.
thick pigtails of honey colored hair
hung over her shoulders; her face,
turned desperately toward him, was
Of q deathly pallor; in one hand she
clutched an empty milk bottle.
AS he stared at her she sank down
TO kneeling position and pounded
feebly against the painted metal door.
"Oh. please! Please! Won't you
open!" she moaned.
Roddy coughed tentatively,
why don't you ring the ben?' he
asked quietly.
"Nobody's there! I can't get in!
Oh. pleasei" she besought the grim
and senseless door.
Let me send for some one" he
began, but she ieaped up and glared--
actually Glared-at him.
Don't you dare" she cried. q
oh, what shall I do?"
Roddy moved forward a step.
But somebody Is bound to come
UP here" he said sensibly; you can't
stand here all day. Let me go and
get
The keys inside: You can't get
in. Oh! Obi Ohr'
Suddenly q door below closed with
metallic clang. Heavy footballs
sounded on the stone service stairs to
his right. Some one was coming mn
She stopped her means and seemed
to cease to breathe, cIutching at the
nickel knob.
Her terror swept across the little
hall and clutched him. This must not
happen!
"Herep he whispered. Come in
here! Quick"
He pointed behind him, and she
rose In one swift, smooth motion and
few into his kitchen like a bluebird.
He closed the door softly just as the
steps turned the landing A moment
later cana the SoiInd of pl.,, IL