New Britain herald., 1926-09-07
BEGINSHERE TODAY


Insomnia, sees lights mysteriously
appear and disappear IN the Heath
household next door one night, and
the next morning Harbor Gardens,
Long Island, is agog with the MUIR
der of Mvra Heath and the disap-
pearance of Perry, her husband.
| House guests of the Heaths are
Lawrence Jnman and Bunny Moore.
Inman might have motive because
he is heir to Myra's considerable
fortune, she having cut off her hus-
band in her will. Suspicion also
points to golden-haired, vivacious
Bunny Moore, because OF her refus-
al TO answer questions at the in
quest.
Myra Heath was a peculiar wom-
an. She never used cosmetics, never
wore colors. She had mania for
collecting glass, and it was rare
old whiskey bottle that was the in
strument of her death. Candles were
burning at her head and feet when
a maid discovered her body, and
nearby was a card marked, THE
Work of Perry Heath" Strangest of
all, she was heavily made up and
dressed with gay colors.
| The strangest thing about Heaths
disappearance is the fact that all
| the windows and doors had been
locked on the inside the night be-
fore and were found that way in
the morning. Finger prints Of Bun
10
bottle. A vanity case has strangely
disappeared and physicians deter
mine that the rouge was applied to
Myra's face after death.
At the country club, the murder
! is discussed by Sam Anderson.
Heath's rival for the club presiden-
| cy; Al Cunningham, who is trying
| to solve the case, and others. Some
| believe Heath the murderer. Others,
| including Anderson, disagree. Gun !
ningham, believing Bunny Moore is
concealing something, calls on Mrs.
Prentiss, who tells him of the mys-
ferrous lights. Todhunter Buck, Mrs.
Prentiss' nephew, suggests that +
Perry Heath also may have been /
murdered.
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY !
CHAPTER XVIII
That evening Larry Inman and
Bunny dined alone.
It was an ordeal, but they had +
agreed that it was wise for them to .
keep up the ordinary routine of
the house as far as possible, and be
ready at any moment for the re-
turn of Perry Heath. /
AS matter of course, and also
because there was need for a
master, Inman assumed the head of
the house, while Bunny naturally /
filled Myra's place in affairs of do
nestle detail.
Bunnys eyes filled as she remem-
bered the gay party at the table the
night before, but she conquered her
emotions. and contrived to manage
a little light conversation with In
man.
I'VE have to face the situation"
he said. gravely, "and we may as
we'll do the best We can to
keep-'
Keep the home fires burning"
Bunny said, with an effort to speak
lightly
Yes" he responded, against
Perry's return.
where is he. Larry ?" Bunny
said, for Herricl was momentarily
out of the room. +
There was note intense an
guish in her voice, a hint of tragedy
that was breaking her young heart.
Il don't know, Bunny, Inman
said, but he did not look at her ut
is very hard to know what to do.
Unless he comes home soon, | shall
have TO look after some of his bust
ness matters for him. A note of his
falls due tomorrow and such things
should not be neglected"
"Oh, no, of course not. Do at
tend to it, Larry,-if-if he doesn't
come tonight. Where could he have
gomez
Bunny, you know Perry is law
unto himself. He may have gone
away last night, before--before
Myra died. She may have known all
about his going, and said goodby to
him and all.-after you and I went
upstairs. II wouldn't be an unheard
of thing"
"N-no, ! suppose not. But in
that case, he'll see about the-the
crime, in tonight's papers. and he'll
come right home, of course
Yes of course"
But again, Inman did not look at
her. He seemed to avoid her eyes,
and turned his glance aside when
he spoke to her.
What about Myra's Will" the
girl said, suddenly,-so suddenly
that Inman gave a start.
why the lawyer Hart, is away.
He's expected home in day or two.
He will doubtless come as soon as
he hears the news
Are you Myra's herr"
Il don't know, Bunny. You heard
what she said to Heath last night. !
II l am, | shall be glad, for the
money belongs in our family, and
Perry can always make his own liv-
ing"
Yes; is this house Myra's, too?"
Her money was used to build 1t,
but I'm not sure who holds the title.
Don't talk about such details,-
things are bad enough without
dragging in money matters!"
The death of Myra was a tragedy
that sank the whole household in
gloom. But Heaths absence was
treated as merely part of the usual
routine, and whatever these two
might think about it, they must as
sumo his impending reappearance.
They We're not confidential, this
pair, but they were at one in pre-
serving calm exterior and a cour-