The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-07-14
ky lds R. GIssssa O lisA NEA Service. Ias.

the house."
 Claire had sat down suddenly, as though her knees had given out from under her, while Hannah glared at the moon-faced house.
 Bob steeles voice broke the tension. If were to tell you Miss spratt, that I think I know who tried to bump me of and who came in that window just now, what would you say?"
 For an instant Susie tried to defy him, then her eyes dropped and she whimpered. NO, it aint sol He never tried to kill no one. He-"
 The changing of the doorbell in- terrupted. Susie nervously covered her face with trembling hands. "He said he'd come back and punish me. It's Lyman Fcsdick, I tell you, " her voice trailed of into a hoarse whisper. Lyman Fosdick who's been dead these many years"
 Hannah opened the door. The next minute they could hear her exclaiming in surprise. MT. Nickl Here, let me take your wet coat. Why you're soaked through"
 Claire ran to the door, just as Nick Baum came hurrying toward her.
 Claire, dear, are you all right? Whats happened2 I was delayed in the village, SO l decided to come back here for teh night. The treel"
 He held both her hands tenderly as she exclaimed, apparently ob- livious to anyone else in the room on account of his anxiety for her. Dallas and Pat had returned from their search, and Pat halted in the doorway at the ardent scene be- fore him. The girl turned, with slight tinge of embarrassment in her manner, and made the neces- sary introductionS.
 T didn't know you had con1- pany, Claire, or wouldn't have ia- truded," Nick said coldly. Tt was just that the storm caught me down the road, and I had to turn back for shelter"
 of course, Nick. I'd have felt badly if you hadn't" she al- swered. "susie can get you some- thing to eat"
 As though glad to escape, the housekeeper started for the door Dan Dallas went after wood, put when Hannah would have fol- lowed, Claire motioned her to a chair near the window. Somehow she felt 1t would be easier to play the role of hostess if Hannah's substantial strength was near. She could not forget at once that scene between Nick and Susie which she had witnessed from the stair window.
 She was wondering about 1t now as she turned back to him and said lightly, "All our friends seem to come here on account of accident Nick. MT. Magan and MT. Steele were going along the road in their car the night I came and heard me almost wreck myself against @ log that was across the road. They turned back and brought me here."
 And of course stayed on. How could any man tear himself away, Claire?" smiled Nick Baum easily. "I'm only jealous I didn't beat them to it."
 "RiRhto," remarked Pat. But we were both rather unavoidably detained. Bob, here, tried to get his head bashed in, and I couldn't very well leave, either" His eyes swept the other mans face. Haven't I met you before, MT Baum?" he asked the question abruptly.
 Afraid not. Sorry" Nick Baum took out a cigaret and offered the package to Pat.
 Just then Q piercing scream came from the hallway, followed by the crash of trayful of dishes. Everyone rushed to the door. There stod Susie in the midst of the broken dishes, the remains of the lunch sha had been carrying scattered about the floor, staring with blanched face at the en1a- ciated figure of ED, coming in from the porch outside. He tow cred to any uncanny height above her. His hair was mated with mud, as were his clothes, and across his forehead ran a wound which had been dressed with a white bandage, now as soiled and disreputable as the rest of him. His piercing eyes and sharp, peaked nose appeared from under this bandage with the suggestion of an averaging fury.
 (T0 Be COncIuded)