The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1935-06-20

you-Miss MacTavish - who was
shown at Englewood. +. :"
At the mention of the dogs name
Higginbottom gave loud cough,
pushed his chair back with a scraping
sound, and glanced over his shoulder
to the open window leading into the
house. The man seemed deeply per-
turbed, and his tone of voice and his
manner, when he answered, struck
me as most peculiar.
eyes, yes; of course" he clustered,
rising and walking toward the front
steps. 81 rarely go to dog shows any
more. By the way, Mr.. Vance, I want
to show you my roses. :" And he
walked down the stairs toward a
small rose garden at the right.
Vance lifted his eyebrows in mild
establishment and followed his host.
When we were out of hearing of the
house, the major placed his hand on
Vance's soulder and spoke confiden-
tally:
"By CAD, sir! hope my wife didn't
hear that question of yours. She's
generally in the drawing room during
the mornings, and the windows were
OPEN" He appeared troubled. eyes,
sir, it would be most annoying if she
heard it. didn't mean to be impolite,
sir-no, sir, by gad!-but you startl-
ed me for a momen. A most try
ing and delicate situation" He put
his head a little closer to Vance.
"Where did you hear Of that little
bitch of mine ?-were you at the
Englewood show?-and why should
you be interested? ?" He glanced again
over his shoulder toward the porch.
George! I hope your question didn't
reach my wfe's ears"
Vance looked at the man quizzical-
ly.
"Come, come, Major" he said
pleasantly. at really can't be so seri-
Gus. I was not at Englewood, and I
never saw Miss MacTavish until the
day before yesterday. The fact of the
matter is, Major, your little bitch is
now in my apartment in New York"
"You don't say!-In your apart
ment?" Higginbottom seemed vastly
astonished. "How did she get there?
II don't understand at all. This is
most peculiar, Mr.. Vance. Pray en-
Tighten me-"
"But she is your dog, is she not,
Major?" Vance asked quietly.
"Well well-the fact is-that
is to say" Higginbottom was splut-
tering with embarrassment. Eyes
yes, l suppose you would say that I
am the technical owner of her. But
haven't seen her for over six months.
-. You see, Mr.. Vance, it's this
way-I gave Miss MacTavish away
to friend of mine-a very dear
friend, v understand i'm New York"
"Ah," breathed Vance, looking up
at the cerulean sky. "And who, Ma
jor, might this friend be-"
"By CAD, Mr.. Vance! I can't see
really, l can't see-what possible
concern that is of any one but myself
and, of course, the recipient.
1t was a purely private transaction
I might say personal transaction"
Major" Vance interrupted brus-
quely, ~ am not prying into your
private affairs. But a rather serious
matter has arisen, and it will be
much better for you to confide in me
than to have the district attorney
summon you to his office"
Higginbottom's little eyes opened
very wide and he fumbled with the
ashes in his pipe.
"The fact is, Mr.. Vance, I have a
very dear friend in New York-a
young woman very charming
young woman, 1 might say
"It's like this, Mr.. Vance. l come
to the city quite often-on business,
" uhderstand-and enjoy a night
club and the theater now and then,
and-you know how it isl don't
care to go alone, and Mrs. Hoggin-
bottom has no interest in such frivo-
lous things"
"Pray don't make apologies, Ma
jor," Vance put in. "What did you
say the young lady's name was?"
(TO Be COntinued)
MD DEEn MTTJEQ uONOpEn