New Britain herald., 1924-06-06
The Way Madsc Forced Manic 10
 Tell the Truth

hIamie's calm declaration that she knew nothing concerning the costly fur coats that Katie had brought from their conccalment in our attic stag gered me for second or two. Could it be possible that Katie"
 One look at my little maids con vulsed face and eyes frcnGied with anger convinced mo however, that Mamie. not she. vas the one telling falsehoods and turned 10 the girl with a sternness aggravated by her effrontery.
 That is something very easily settled" I said, feeling d trife like Solomon Of old. T shall telephone the police at once. and ask them 10 take these coats and find out from whom they've been stolen."
 katie's face changed swiftly to impish glcc. and she clapped her hands joyonsly.
 Dots the stoof, Misses Graham" she cried. ''I no care how qrccck you go 10 polls. for ] haze noding9 doing init dose tings."
 I looked al Mamie steadily Her face was shade palcr t--n before, but her eyes met mine deiiantly.
 T don't think you dare do that" she said impudently. They're in your attic, not anywhere else. May be the police ask you some ques- tions.''
 rose abruptly. guessed that the girls impertinence was. only n mask for desperate terror, but she must not be permitted any further license of speech.
 You may go now" said sternly. Katie bring those coats down stairs and unwrap them, while I get telephone. l want to give them a description Of each garment"
 Mamie shot furtire glances first al me and then at the bundles Katie was gathering up. Her lips part cd as if to speak, and muscle In her throat twitchcd conyulsirely. but she did not say anything. only walked out Of the door as I had bid den her.
 "Oh, I'll Toil!"
 Katie looked at mo with dumb uA NF iblibNfN ittf lb the lower floor. but ] shook my head at her in a signal for silence. Il knew pretty well what was in Mamie's mind for before my mar riage l spent years teaching girls of her ago. She would bluff until tho very last second, and I prctended not to notice that while she had opened and closed the outer door she was standing inside of it instead of on the yeranda.
 was afraid that Katie would ho- tray her knowledge of the rusc. but my little maid kept her face ahso- lutely oNprcssionless, and as l took down tho telephone receiver. care. fully shielding the instrument with my body that Mamie might not know my hand was holding down the hook, a connection impossible, smiled grimly to myself at the absurd game Of wits with this alien girl in l which katie's folly had engaged mo. |
 'ls this the Southampton police | station?' l asked. as if I were actil. lily talking 10 the chief at the other snd of the wire. "Yes' Then will | you please send one Of your men at ,nce to-"
 X little choking scream behind mo md an exclamation Of triumph from Katie made me turn quickly. Mamie Nss running toward mo with out Itretched hands and working face.
 "0h, I'll teil!" she sobbed. "t'n ell everything. if you won't have tho police come"
 I turned back to the telephone, poke quickly
 \ Calculating Instant 1, Never mind now I said. "1 Ind do not need an officer. If ] To later, I will call you" Replacing the receiver on the hook turned to the weeping Mamie. All he pity I might otherwise have felt or the girl had been submerged by fer mean little attempt to throw the ,lame Of her act upon Katie. "Tf you do not toll me the truth" said sternly. and you may he sure shall know if you are not telling f. shall call that policeman back al ,nce. You arc very wicked girl Q try to put the blame for your acts ipon Katie"
 T paid her to hide them" Mamie etorfed sullenly. She must have inovn there was something funny s bout it.'' g "tnd nov Fif vour dirty money q 'sck!" Katie shrilled, fourishiuE the |