The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1923-04-13
CHAPTER vIl-continued.

She nodded pleasantly. You're per
fectly welcome" The words were hos
pitable, but not so cordial as Mrs
Penfeld herself could hae wished
She could not entirely conquer a feel
ing of irritation upon finding In hel
house a man whom she instinctively
~dlstrusted. A foolish feeling, she
thought to herself. She had not q
shred of tangible evidence against
Frank Bosley, but the repulsion was
strong. Her delight In finding a rela-
tive here in California had been great
ly tempered by the friendship between
these two men, unaccountable, per-
slstent.
Don't hurry because 1 came" she
said, waving the CUES back to his
seat. I'm going on into the kitchen
In a minute" She opened her shabby
leather bag and took out a small box,
wrapped In paper. TN just give you
this, as long as you're home again."
She passed 1t over.
Frank Bosley took the box mechan-
ically and turned 1t about as If bewil-
dered. "What is it?' There was no
doubling his surprise.
I'm sure l don't know. Valuables,
l s'pose. Your wife brought 1t In for
me to keep while she was gone"
The red of swift anger surged into
his face. "Gussie brought it In
What in hi d she do that forY'
Mrs. Penfield smiled. 81 don't
know. For safety, was all she said.
And of course a burglar would be
rather low In his mind fore he'd try
this place."
His anger mounted steadily, blazing
in his prominent eyes. On
She makes me sick, always getting
the jumping jimmiesl I'll see that
she doesn't bother you any more,
Mrs. Penfeld."
"Oh, 'tisn't that / count 1t a bother,
Mr.. Bosley; but, land, there amt any
great protection here"
"And, great Scott, you carry this
he turned the box over in his hands
round with you when you go any
ghereY'
mo, l hain't never done that before,
out going out Of The Custard Cup al
.ogether- And even so, what If /
ost itY"
II should say" His words cut the
Ilr with violence. believe me, I'll fix
his"
Jerry Winston, whose merry eyes
lad sharpened with alert interest.
'roke in with a careful drawl. "Ain't
'ou a bit hard on nerves, Bosley?
likely your wife's had a dream or
omething."
This lIghtened version seemed to
estore Frank Bosley's composure.
Likely" he agreed glibly. Been
the newspapers, / presume.
lot her mind full of robberies, and
links she's going 20 be the next in
me-"
Jerry winston nodded. "Worst
hing in the world for nerves." he said
ably. women need lighter food'n
Mrs. Penfeld started for the kitchen.
rank Bosley's voice followed her.
"TI be ambling along, Winston.
ee you again In a day or two" :
Mrs. Penfield, emptying the baked I
into the saucepan, shook his s
wouldn't that beat your she 1
urmured. 1
She put the saucepan on the stove Q
I'd went to the back door. Lettie's S
was In full swing. There were t
wv ten scraps Of humanity, because a
had had been annexed to the party q
a family courtesy and was travel [
& deadhead through Its joys. Each
Of the ten had been assigned the n
Irt of a creature Of feathers or fur II
ID was practicing the new charac- II
r with vociferous spirit. Jimmy a
ltterbox, as Gray Squirrel, was eat Il
g an imaginary nut with increasing II
ace, to the accompaniment of ap- a
noises; his little sister, as p
IN, was strutting and cackling In 6 d.
~ that would have been illuminat- jC
: to unframed poultry. Rabbit was W
presented also Cat and Dog and IL
and several others-all small,
Lettie had promised all active, as OF
e might expect. W