The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-12-09

and with the discovery reallZe that he was suspected. Under the mattress? No, everyone hid things there-it would be the first place to look. Behind a chest of drawers? No, 1t could be plainly seen if 1t dropped to the floor.
 She flew into her bathroom,
 spatched down towels already there and draped the soiled one
 over a bar. Then across 1t she
 hung other bath towels and, over them, several face towels. Feeling very well satisfied with
 the place of concealment, she
 dabbed powder on her nose and
 hurried after Tom.
 Coming demurely downstairs,
 Linda heard voices in the room
 beneath and at the foot of the stairs met, the three guests whom she would least have liked to encoun- ter five minutes before-DeVos, Statlander and Marvin Pratt. She greeted them with friendly solici- tude and suddenly altered her plans. This was the time to broach the next step in her campaign. There's no word of pr Boyle"
 she said, land there's more than
 back until late tonight. Do you
 fled If you will stay the night
 us bit--in fact, we like to have you. And 1t will be so much
 pleasanter if you don't feel you have to rush off to get a late train to town. Do let me tell Tom that you'll stay over and then we can see tomorrow how you feel about going in."
 Standing a step or two above them she had the advantage of being able to study their faces carefully and on none but Mar wins did she decry any sign of displeasure at the suggestion. DeVos. readier than the others. bowed with a quick. gracious in- clination and answered: That Is most kind of you. But please do not think you must ask us because of our convenience. I for one wish to do whatever
 makes it easiest for you" She smiled as the others mur- mured their agreement. This would, I assure you. l
 couldn't bear the idea anyhow of your going back, all of you, to the city. If it's hot here, New York must be an oven. But I under stand how you felt earlier. Now you have had to stay this long. we'd both far rather have you stay over tonight. Then we won't all be watching the clock and wondering when Dr Boyle is com- ing and, if he is late, trying to
 hurry him--which would probably have just the opposite effect" "I-" (Mr Statlander cleared his throat) That is quite agree
 able to me, Mrs Averill if you are sure."
 'I'm sure 1t Is most pleasant
 for us.' said Linda firmly. And you, Marvin?" :. At the direct challenge he met her eyes with that curious eff feet of almost shamefaced reluct- ance.
 If you wish" he said curtly, band she stood aside to let them pass.
 "That's fine. I'll tell Tom and
 he'll be as pleased as l. Dinner is very soon now = you won't dress of course. We'll be here when you are ready"
 In the formal drawing room she saw her husband struggling with
 the balky leg of a folding bridge table and she hurried in, sure that he had overheard enough of the conversation to know it's tenor. As he started to speak Linda cut in, breathless and ex- cited.
 They'll stay!"
 Yes. heard. That's good. But, Linda"
 Again she was so full of her own news that she interrupted him.
 And Tom --I found the towel!' Eagerly she poured out her story. while he paused. the half-folded table in his hand. and listened with growing concern. When she finished he whistled softly.
 "Binks, that is a find! Why didn't give him the works this afternoon? We really had a lot
 to do - the fall advertising cam-
 paign. you know = and l got so time was passing till I saw Rosie going out with the tray. Then tt was too late and thought you could nail him later. or could. But that changes things entirely" Abstractedly he snapped down Ithe remaining leg. slipped the table behind a tall sofa and they drifted toward the door.
 "Oh, and Binks," he began, "l saw something"
 "Sh-h!,' Linda motioned for silence. There was step over- head, and mans deep murmur, then, clearly, Rosie's familiar
 (To Be Continued)