Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-03
CHAPTER XVIII.
AuDREY'S SECRET.


an outstanding local event, but
the remarkable circumstances OF
her death and the inScrutable
mystery that enveloped it brought to-
gether an enormous concourse to wit
ness the burial. The shops in the VII
lage were closed and the streets were
lined with people from the surrounding
districts who were unable to find ac-
commodation in the little church.
Donald, Nancy and Jimmie went to
the service from the Wade home, where
Jimmie had just received the phone in
vitation to play golf with Audrey Win
ford the next morning. AS they walked
toward the church Jimmie speculated
vainly as to what message she had
! for him.
They were in the church now wit
Messing the simple service, without flow
erS or display, decreed in the mystic
rious missing will that now had assumed
such an important place in the mys-
terry, The vicar had on the Sunday be-
fore paid his respects to the lady OF
Morrow Craig and he did not repeat his
eulogy. There was one hymn and then
the casket was carried to the church.
yard.
Marjorie, Evelyn and Vincent stood
by the graveside as curious glances OF
symphony, envy or doubt were cast
their way. The story Of Vincent's
evening visit had become known and
the suggestion that Marjorie and DR..
Netherton could tell more II they chose
was widely felt.
Both Marjorie and Evelyn bore them
selves with simple dignity Their
mourning dresses emphasized their pal.
Tor and they seemed hardly aware OF
their surroundings. Vincent looked
more self-conScious. Lionel Duckworth
and Mr.. Morgan were close behind the
chief mourners. Maj. Gresham was
with them Nearby stood Capt. Stir
ling. Bill Netherton was present, but
in the background. All the servants
from Morrow Craig attended.
After the last word had been spoken
by the vicar and the crowd moved
away Jimmie came across the lawyer.
Morgan, and asked if he had news of
the missing will. Nothing had been
learned, he said, at the bank or else
where, and steps to establish an in
testacy would likely be taken soon, the
family meanwhile remaining at the
house.
Nancy had promised Mrs. Netherton
to bring Jimmy over later in the day,
and it was pleasant to receive her hos
pitality at Corner Cottage and to put
aside the sad recollections of the tu-
neral. Her visitors admired her little
house and her garden blazing with
bright blossoms, while as tea was served
she talked to them happily about many
matters. But it was inevitable that the
conversation should turn, sooner or
later, to the one engroSsing local topic.
IT did not go to the funeral" she
told them. Poor Annabelle Querdling
A sad end for her and sad beginning
for the girls Bill told me about the
inquest. He thought DR.. Burbeck very
long-winded."
Jimmie wondered what exactly Bill
had said. He thought it probable the
old lady had been spared on account
of the hardly yelled insinuations against
her boy. Her indignation would have
been far stronger had she even sus-
pected them.
"Oh, there you are, Bill" said Mrs.
Netherton as her son crossed the lawn.
He sat by them as tea was poured, but
after few polite remarks lapSed into
preoccupied silence.
Anything special in your rounds to-
day-meet anybody" Mrs. Netherton
asked.
NO" Then, with some sort of an
effort, he pulled himself together and
smiled at her. Just the trivial round,
the common task, you know"
Jimmie thought there was a hardness
In his expression that had not been
there before. What was the cause of it?
IF you please, sir, Miss Blake is on
the telephone" The maid came from
the house with the message.
ON, it is Marjorie. Bill She rang
up before. Poor child! I wonder what
she wants. I hope no one is ILL.,"
The old lady's tone showed she was
entirely unaware of the rumors that
connected her sons name with that of
their pretty neighbor Jimmie, too,
wondered what Marjorie wanted. Pos
Sibly, r he knew that, he would be
nearer to the complete solution of the
problem that baffled them. III, she
perhaps was, but mental distress rather
than physical seemed likely.
There was no explanation of her call.
Bill rose at once and went into the
house. Apparently he remained in his
surgery, for he had not reappeared
when Jimmie and Nancy left
The next morning Jimmie and Au-
drey arrived on the golf course at the
same moment 1t was quite early, $50.
for they had arranged to play nine
holes before breakfast with the Wades
and finish afterwards so as not to
interfere with an appointment Jimmie
had with Richmond.
The conversation was pleasant and
the game interesting. but it was plain
to Jimmie that Audrey's mind was not
really on her game. At the sixth tee
Ghe admitted it.
Mr. Haswell," she said, do you
know what the people in the village
are saying about Bill Netherton?"