New Britain herald., 1927-05-14

| short scrutiny.
 Looks like som ebody I've seen [ but I dunno who. Say. Myrt. l wish I dast so through Mr. Pel- tons suitcases." No, Tub. don't do 1t. Don't make ms sorry I let you in here. You said you wanted to see the dolls.
 Huh. only said that to make you let me in! I don't want to see those silly things. They make me sick"
 Then we've got to get out. I'll never believe you again. But I'm afraid to come in here alone, and of course. if anyone is here. can't touch the dolls. Oh, you lovely: You beauty"
 She caressed and patted the dolls. and arranged them in CO., duettish attitudes on the sofa and chairs.
 Does Mir. Pelton fall for 'em the way Mir. Folsom did"" asked Hubby.
 "No; he seems to like them a little. but Mr. Folsom. he acted like they were real girls"
 '"Then I bet Mir. Pelton would give you one. Or ask the old girl. She'd do it."
 T dunno. Miss Folsom is nice some ways; then again she's a terror"
 Taking advantage of Myrtle's absorption in the dolls, Hubby had opened a suitcase of Dan Pelton's and was rummaging among its contents They were almost all papers and letters, and as she heard the rustic, Myrtle turned on the daring bellboy.
 Here you! Stop that! l told you wouldn't allow that: I'm in charge of these rooms. I'm cham beymaid and I'm responsible"
 You responsible! That's good one. Don't be silly. Myrt. I'll bet I could find sumpin in those papers that might help solve the big mys- tery."
 "Oho. You a detectiveo Hello. Mir. Pickock Holmes. Now, if that's your lay. here's where you get off. March,"
 Tubby's rotund form vas pro- pelled toward the door by the agile and vigorous Myrtle.
 Hubby was 10th to go, but he had to do so or make a scene, which might call the attention of the chief of the chambermaids and get a sound berating for Myrtle, If rot for himself.
 He made one last plea.
 "Aw, femme stay here a little minute more. Myrt, and I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll ask the old girl myself to give you one of the dolls. Or I'll ask MT. Pelton. He sorter likes me-"
 He won't like you If he hears you've been digging into his lug gage! And I'll tell him. if you don't clear outa here. Wait till see if the ways safa.''
 Cautiously Myrtle opened the door a crack. saw that the hall was empty and then. pushing Hubby, through. she followed and locked the door with her pass key.
 Myrtle was one of the most staff and never had she been false to the trust, nor entered room except on her legitimate errands, until she had fallen under the spell of the wonderful dolls. Why they fascinated her so, she couldn't have told, but she was far from being alone in her adora- ton of the siren faces and be- witching garb of the puppets.
 She had almost made up her mind to ask Mir. Folsom for one. for he smiled on Myrtle in a way that she understood to imply his favor. Then came his sudden and terrible death. and from that time on, the girl had snatched any opportunity she could get to hang over and fuss with the dolls.
 Yet she was too afraid of the vague horror that seemed to hang round Garrett Folsom's rooms 10 venture in there alone. True she had done so the time that Carmel ita caught her hiding there. But the intrusion of that lady had so scared Myrtle that never again had she gone into the rooms alone.
 And now she vowed never again to take Hubby in there, or any body else. People were too curi- ous, too snoopy. No, she would ask either Miss Folsom or Mir Pelton for a doll. whichever of the two seemed more amenable.