New Britain herald., 1924-04-02

l cared for her after all, and now ht
 must think her dead. Oh. but she'd
 pay this crowd out before sine was through with them.
 Then another remark Of Sloat's re- turned to her mind: Arc you sure you've got the right dope about her?
 Are you sure you know who the girl
 upstairs really is?"
 Sallie sat ID suddenly as an in- spiration came to her and her cyes
 travelled swiftly to that spot on tho carpet where she had palmcd that i fragment from a newspaper: the para graph which mentioned the possibility that "Diamond Bcss" liilker. the missing maid in the Delapierre rob- bery case might have boarded the Gotham Arrow at Philopolis. where she was last seen. Then little. soft, impish laugh escaped Sallie's lips and, throwing of the robe and slippers, she composed herself for tho night.
 Thcrcsc noticed decidedly un- favorable change in "Mccs Ava" the rrxt morning. There was an alarm ing increase of sianc in the careless speech which had seemed 10 grow coarse and hard overnight and tho nuet docility of manner had given place to an air or impudcnt assur- ance not unmixcd with dprision.
 With Miss 1lidmarsh and the doe tor, however. sailie was careful to re- sume her manner Of the precious day. although shc eFinccd q growing rcft- leSsncss at being treated as scmi- invalid and insisted upon being per mitted 10 rise.
 After brief delay Thercsc re-. entered the room somewhat sulicnljI with both arms piled with dainty. girlish garments and at s'g1t of them sudden. hiieous thought came to Saliir. Whose body was that which had been buried in her place? Could 1t he that she was wearing dead girls clothes. sleeping in dead girls bed. urinE her personal belongings as though they were her own? IT not. where was ihe real Ava Copeland X shuddcr shook sallic from head to foot but she forced herself to face the maid calmly, still keeping her im- pudently assured air Of the early maTninE.
 Look here. haven't got any new clothes?" she demanded as Therosc spread across the chaisc tongue a smart silk morning dress which seemed somehow to have lost it's first freshness. "Air't fhcre anything l haven't worn brfor, ?''
 The eyes of the maid met hers for a drew aside the silk dress and re- placed it with straight little frock Of soft gray cloth.
 "You have forgotten this. perhaps. Meez Ava: II was among the last of the robes purchased in Paris six weeks ago and never have you worn it."
 It'll do. guess" SaiIie assented carciessly. can that Paris stun. though Thercse; NC Hndcrstaind each other"
 She almost held her breath at her own daring ns she waited for the others reply but none came. Al mask seemed to have fallen over Therese's face and she proceeded in silence to complete sallie's toilette.
 Just as sine fastened the last snap per knock came upon the door and as she opened 1t 10 receive a huge purple box from the hands Of Fitch. ! the ta'l young footman Of the pre- viods day. the girl standing 5ehiEd her caught a glimpse Of his face.
 He was gazing straight into sallie's eyes. not in bold disrespect but rather as though he were attempting to con vey message. She recalled his iri- sistent staring at her when he served tea in Mrs. Copeland's sitting room the afternoon iefore and imp1isiv,.ly sFe noddeI inst as Thcrtse shut tnc door in his face.
 (Continusd in OB- Next issueD.