The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1935-03-29

had lived, dangerously, by herself, for
herself, and on herself, ingrowing ano
buried. During the holidays only she
Yaxley-Moore, who had no income.
After the first jolt of hearing Of the
pupils death, Miss Yaxley-Moore a
ened the affair out, for she foresaW q
future of enforced and congenial leisure
as her half sisters pensioner.
IF Sir Felix brings the matter into
court" she declared, my defense Will
be that I used my own Judgment, as IN
my opinion it was dangerous to K
the girl from her sleep. But which,
ever way the cat jumps you must race
the fact. I shan't get another post"
Miss Bat said nothing. But through
dusty machinery of her brain licked
ceaselessly On until she lost all n OF
proportion in one fixed purpose.
Fol forty years she had saturated
herself with the pride and Importance
of her position as Miss Bat of Sundlal
house until it a become acute mon
omania. In addition her avarice was
awakened, for she would nave to sup
port Miss Yaxley-Moore.
She determined that Lucy Tree must
not return to the school. She must be
tricked into breaking her journey at
Sundial house. In this connection MISS
Bat worked out an ingenious ruse. with
her half-witted maid, Olive, as her tool.
The rest would be easy, for there
would be nothing to connect a fatal &C
cident-which could be made to suggest
suicide-with herself. Lack of motive
and her position raised her above
suspicion.
She plotted ceaselessly until near the
and Nf tho hN1iIoryc Union Mice VoY1pV.
Moore preached the subject of sending
in her resignation.
"You will do nothing Of the kind"
declared Miss Bat. you will return
two days earlier than the others and
find out the time and route of this
girls return. You will telephone these
to me and I also want a minute per-
drop hints of an unhappy love affair
out at the Swiss winter sports"
and what about me when she finds
me still at the SCHOOL," demanded Miss
Yaxley-Moore.
"She will not come back" was the
grim reply.
Happily unconscious of the menace to
her safety, Lucy rolled on toward Bath,
where she reached her destination.
bus and the windows had become
steamy with moisture. Presently she
felt obliged to appeal to a little lady
who sat in front.
"Do you mind if I open a Window"
AS the lady was frail and elderly h
was pleasantly surprised by the reply
in a crisp, educated voice:
please do. Let me help you. The
window is rather stiff"
Lucy did not know how the accident
happened, but as she leaned forward
the old lady turned her head so that
her glasses were swept off by the girls
arm.
She stopped down and picked them
up from under her seat. Although the
frame was intact, one pebble was
smashed completely and the other bad
ly cracked.
The lady put them into her bag
with a slight exclamation of Impotence.
"Tiresome," she said. How careless
of mel"
mo" confessed Lucy. 1T was my
fault. I'm terribly sorry.
1T doesn't matter much. l nave a
| spare pair at home and I shall soon
AS she spoke the Purple bus stopped
and the conductor made an announce
"Moone. We stop here twenty min
utes for tea" .-
The passengers consulted their
watches and began to scramble through
the doorways. Lucy fingered n
watched the elderly lady as she crop
ed her way between the seats: -
Feeling rather guilty, h o her
"Please let me-" she said. PERHAPS
we might have tea t~ogether?"'
s"Thank you," replied the lady. I'm
almost blind without my glasses. Can
YOU see an old Tudor building JUST
across the road? That is the best cafe"
AS they entered the Elizabethan
house Lucy gathered the impression
that her companion was known anu
The cafe, which was low beamed
I and Cd irregular shape, was already
filled with the other passengers from
| the coach. AS Lucy looked around 10
find an empty table the little old lady
spoke:
may be empty. They always croWd m
near the door. I'll order the tea nov"
Lucy went through the cafe and OPP
ened a door at its far end leading to
| the inner room.
It was small and dimly lit by a
wrought iron lantern. The sunken floor
was stone-flagged and the atmosphere
held the chill of ages.
With a slight shiver Lucy crossed TO
the fire, over which sat a big fat
try girl. Her neck and chin were
swathed in a gray wooden scarf and she
plainly had a heavy cold. AS Lucy
drew near, to her disgust the girl
coughed explosively right into her face.
She withdrew quickly just as the door
opened and her friend of the Purple
bus entered, accompanied by a wait
ress with the tea tray.
Instantly the girl rose respectfully to
her feet. The lady smiled at her ana
gave her a gentle nod of dismissal.
Good evening, Olive. Wouldn't you
rather have your tea outsider" n
handed the girl a coin and added IN a
benevolent voice, you have a shocking
cold. What's the matter with your
neck?"
The girl stared at her with blank,
stupid eyes.
"Please. num-" she replied. 'I'Ve got