San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-10-01


quiet little artist community where
We really do not belong. 1t was / that
insisted that Tarasov was harmless.
Now suppose something had happened
to Arlette? Could l ever stop re-
preaching myself:
when did you first miss Arlette?"
I asked brokenly.
"Shc didn't show up for breakfast.
Mrs. Cruikshank reported her miss
ing"
Was her bed slept in?' l asked.
"By Jingo! That's straight
enough question. l don't know" re-
piled Mr.. Perry thoushtfully.
Better telephone and make sure, -
1 suggested.
"No, I'll cut along home and ask"
"Telephoning's quicker"
mo, I'll cut along home" persisted
Mr.. Perry. 1T wont take much longer
I've really got to get home while
daylight lasts"
"Arc you so selfish that you can
think of your work at time like
this? Do you mean that" fairly burst
from me. aren't you thinking of
poor May and little Arlettc at all
really? Just Of yoursclf?"
81 am thinking OF my appointment
with Mrs. Dalton" Mr.. Perry replied
with entire good nature. "Shc is due
at three. 1t is her time. She has her
hours sitting from three to four.
really can't let her come all the way
from Dreamwold for nothing
80 it means that much!' I gaspcd
mentally. THAT much!'
But what l said aloud was:
''Then I Shall telephone Mrs. Cruik.
shank and ask If Arlette's bed was
slept in. We've got to have something
definite TO work on at once. You've
let enough time go by without doing
anything to locate the poor little
thing"
81 had to get Lingard off to town
this morning" said Mr.. Perry defen-
sivcly. but without any sign of irri-
tation at my cross and reproachful
tone. 81 got car and sent him in
with one of the boys from the lower
village. l took it for granted that
Arlette was with May. But when she
didn't show up for lunch, and Mrs.
Cruikshank began telling how she
wouldn't fail me like this and go gal
livanting off leaving me to fend for
myself. | began to think maybe she
had been scolding Arletto and that
the child wouldn't come home unless
| fetched her. That's why I'm here.
Now I'll just wait to telephone Mrs.
c., since you insist. and then | must
run along and look out for Virginia
for Mrs. Dalton
1t didn't add any to my pleasure
with the general scheme of things to
know that it was of Jeanne Mr.. Perry
was thinking at a moment like this
when every energy and thought should
be centered on little affairs Arlettc.
But things didn't look quite so black
when Mr.. Perry turned from the tele-
phone with the announcement that
Arlcttc had slept in her little white bed
at the Hedgerow Lodge the night be-
fore, and that Mrs. Cruikshank
thought there was lot of silly TODD
about the child who had probably gone
off snow-shoeing or something like
that.
So Nicholas Perry went home, with
the assurance that May would prob
ably come along presently leading
Arlette by the ear, and that he was
sorry he had prodded the hornets
nest and set a lot of ideas buzzins
about my ears.
IF they were only-ideas :" I said
more to myself than to him.
But 1 had plenty of "ideas" and
most of them disturbing ones in the
next hour. May did not come back.
| tried to reach Zeke Schmidt at the
station. but was told that it was his
afternoon off. / called Jim's office,
the fact that he had gone
off in a rage. leaving me no greeting
or explanation save the word May had
delivered. Jim was not in his office,
and ] noticed how peculiar the intona
ton was as she gave me this informa
ton.
do you know where ! can reach
him. I asked.
"He went away with some lady"
she giggled.
There was a buzz on the wire anc
A moment later Jim's efficient sccrc
tary was saying suavely:
81 don't think Mr.. Harrison will
be back at the office this afternoon.
Mrs. Harrison. He had to go out on
a matter of business-with a client.
| think he had a banquet or dinner or
and won't be readable I'M
til he gets home this evening. But if
you want to leave word, I'll have him
,all you"
"No, thank you" / said.
My heart was cold as I spoke.
I'm Re Continuedl