Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1929-08-02
BLUEBEARD'S
BALL AND THE
! THIEF
F**'%**tt|*'t1 f't*****HNVVV'
20 by D. J. Walsh.l

~LAIRE had entered the employ
4 of Cliff Dorrance with high
~ hopes. She had read every
book and pamphlet on eff
cheney and the value Of strict obedi-
ence to orders and had expected to
make quick strides In the business
world. She hadn't though. Her first
position had been barely held.
"Old crab" she muttered unwisely,
forgetting the first rule of maintain
ing mental polse at all times. "Some-
times just think I'll give him no
tice."
A slow grin overspread the face Of
the office boy, Jimmy, and Claire had
the unpleasant conviction that he'd
heard her. She knew quite as well
as Jimmy that nothing would induce
her to leave the employ Of the gloomy
and most attractive young broker.
Cliff had none of the facial beauty
considered essential to romance-but
Claire had fallen hard for him, much
to her own dismay. Cliff seemed to
consider her walking doll equipped
to take orders-just that AID nothing
more, while-well, she wanted to be
wrapped in romance and love, but the
crisp tones of her employer held
nothing but annoyance at what he
candidly termed her stupidity.
"How can use my mind when I'm
always thinking of how he'd look II
he'd smlleT" ran Claire's thoughts as
she wildly put a letter from John
Smith in the Y folder.
"The boss wants yer, Miss Claire"
announced Jimmy; "he seems to be
on the rampage, too"
Claire sighed and patted her hair.
ale says some one has been at his
SHELF" volunteered the boy.
Claire grew red. THANK you. Jim
my, for warning mel"
"Can you tell me who touched this
glass ball?'
e." Claire suppressed an absurd
desire to mention the historic Ratchet
welded by George and went on
equably-"I busted It."
"Good heavens. busted It. How
like woman. Didn't tell you It
was not to be touched3 That ball is
valuable-there are" he checked
himself and Claire narrowed her blue
eyes in way she'd observed on the
silver sheet. ~.
Memories connected with 1t, l sup
pose" she interpOlated. Then stared
at him aghast.
The snow beat softly against thG
window, lending the office white
unreal look as though they two wer'
alone in a different world. The pug
zled look In his deep gray eyes deep
ened as she grew peony red and theI
whitened. The pulse in her throa
beat violently and she feared that hi
must hear the scudding leaps of he
heart. What had possessed her u
| mention mem0riesT He w0uiu Surei.
guess what had prompted the word
Jealousy tore at her fiercely. OF
course, she'd examined the glass bal
AS soon as he had cautioned her
about touching 1t she had been scarce.
ly able to wait until he went out to
luncheon. And she had seen a girls
face In the depths Of the crystal
dark, mysterious eyes smiling inscrut.
ably beneath a mop Of red-gold curls,
but It was the vivacious scarlet mouth
that had held Claire's interest. The
artist had caught the witchery OF that
painted smile and faithfully por-
trayed 1t.
Undoubtedly the miniature was that
Of the girl Cliff loved, and he couldn't
bear to have allen fingers touch It.
She lifted her head suddenly. Her
employer was speaking.
"Just when did you handle this"
Several times. I busted 1t early
today"
He grOaned. Claire raised alright.
ed eyes. Surely she could not have
done much damage to that rIdicu.
lousy beautiful face by taking or the
city SCOT. Men In love were certainly
fooIIsh-when In love with the wrong
woman.
"What possessed you to touch III
You didn't dust my desk"
Claire threw discretion to the four
winds that seemed to be tossing her
thoughts In various directions. "I'n
be frank" she said "YOu gave me
many directions about that silly
Bluebeard ball and | just made up
my mind that I'd see what the secret
was. She Is very lovely and I hope
you'll be happy"
lie frOwned. "Will you oblIge me
by not touching 1t agaln7 Did Jack
Carew stop In this morning to see my
shelf Of antlques?"
ayes. He looked II over"
Cliff seemed unable to conceal his
eagerness as he watched the pretty,
wIlful face opposite him Claire
wasn't In the least beautiful, but
there was certain charm about her
that caught the masculine interest.
"No. He simply stared-grlnned a
little as though at some secret thought
and then turned on his heel. He left
message for you. too. Tell your
employer that I'm not Interested In
any of his antiques, but that III drop
In again IL he gets anything new"
Cliff leaped toward the telephone
and Claire heard him call up a Grim.
inal lawyer, repeating word for word
what Claire had told him.
Couldn't catch him with the Old |
trick" ended Gin. "Guess the re.
ward is all on"
file turned to Claire. "Pm sorry I
scolded you. After all, It didn't mat
ter greatly the busting, mean. VIII
you dine with me tonight to show you