New Britain herald., 1924-04-03
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY

not be tres chic against the gray oi your robe:"
 Sallie looked at the card 10 gain I time to consider the most consistent move in this double role she was playing and arriving at a quick de- cision, yawned and threw the card face upward upon the table. Ii was a plain one and bore. in the peculiar slanting writing which had accom- panied the roses of the day before just three words: Good morning from Wheeler"
 l '1ll say they're all right" Sallie exclaimed in as tough & manner as she could assume. Cousin Wheeler's | Sure I'll wear 'em this time, Therese but what's doing" Is he gonna call mornings. too?"
 Madame have invited MSieu Sloai for lunch, I think and as you are SC happily recovered, Mees Ava, it is permitted that you again take your ! place." Therese's head was bowed as she pinned the yoletes 10 the gray 1 girdle but her tone was dignifed and somewhat shocked. Madame is wait ing for you in her sitting room.' Broad sunlight streaming in ct a great bay-wipdow replaced the candle glow of the previous day and the mauve room appeared larger and more austere in spite Of it's elaborate furnishings. Mrs. Copeland, too, as she rose to receive tho girl seemed to have lost little or her gracious poise and beneath the cosmetics her face was haggard.
 Good morning, Ava. dear" She bent forward as though to kiss her but Sallio drew back.
 Good morning. Mrs. Copeland" she responded deliberately. I'm with you."
 II don't understand" Mrs. Cope land faltercd. taken aback at the bodness of the attack.
 'oh, you got me all right" re- torted Salie coolly. "You know I'm not your step-daughter, this Ava kid, and you know there ain't any thing more the matter with my head than there is with yours."
 'If you arc not my stepdaughtor," Mrs. Copeland said slowly as she sank into chair and mechanically gcs- tured to another. Who are you?''
 Don't you wish you knew!" Salie snecred ttauntingly.
 My dear. we all know about you." Mrs. Copeland rose to the bait. You are Sarah Peek, and you worked in store in Shaftstown--r
 Sure do, That's me.' SaIlic in- terrupted. with elaborate over-eager- ness. 'tYou don't know who my folks arc. though, nor the crowd I travel with"
 We have asccrtainod that YOU Lave no relations but ,hame lived with a Mrs. Brennan, and that a young dctectiye sergeant of the police has been paying you attention"
 Sallie laughed long and ioud. and Mrs. Copeland eyed her with growing wonder.
 Paying me attention. eh? That's good! I ain't tying tip with any bull, believe you me-"
 Mrs. Copeland shuddered.
 "You-you don't seem like the same girl you were yesterday" she murmured. Your speech your manner--It docs not seem possiblcl''
 ''i can be lady when [ like." sal- lie flafed lip in pretended anger. then added: There ain't no need Of it now and besides, it's a nuisance."
 Nevertheless. my girl, you will fnd that if pays" There was a sig nificance in Mrs. Copelands tone not lost upon her companion.
 That's what want to find out Sallie remarked promptly. How much ."
 She felt eiatcd when Mrs. Copeland rut both hands to her temples in horror.
 "1;eaily. you must try to speak so that I can understand youi" she ex- claimed. q am prepared this morn- ing to talk to you quite frankly and it you are sensible girl you will sec it is gfeatiy to your advantsCe that we brought you here and took care of you"
 "I wasn't exactly homeless. but aint kicking yet" sallie's reply was uoHcommittai. "T'li say you treated LUZ AHtiF zfb Ants buA " iAHt tls .Oh NuHl CT me?"
 Merely to ststy with me in my house as my step-dsnghter Aita, aud the fancee the promised wife of thy late husbands nephew. Wheeler Sioat. This-ti isit-may end at any time or at most in a few months hence" Mrs. Copeland spoke slowly as though choosing her words. You will he surrounded with every luxury, us you see: you piIl hate all the pretty clothes gou like and shall ritc tou sornc 5egeiry appropriate for yonne girl which you may take with you when you ieave US. At that time. foo. if you will immediately leave this country and never return or communicate with any Of your former associates. and WiH never mention this little transaction between us 10 anyone. you shall receive twsnty-fite thousand dcIlars."
 She sat iack in hr chair as though prepared to receive the thanks Of the girl but Saiiis shook her Lad. 4
 Twenty-fivc thousand grand is an L