The Coolidge examiner., 1936-12-03

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Puckish. AS a young boy, he was
extremely shy. That shyness dis.
appeared, of course, with maturi.
ty; but even as a young man he was
quiet and reticent. He had a
charming sense of humor-quiet
and reticent too and-Well, I'll &C
back to that word-Puckish! Yes,
Walter is handsome.
AS Molly looked different, Wal
ter looked different. But his air
showed a sternness-almost an au-
sterity.
''Sit down children!" l ordered.
I'm awfully glad to see you,
What can 1 offer you at this hour
of the morning."
"Coffee!" Molly answered
promptly. Your justly famous cof-
fee, Aunt Mary. Loads of it,"
rang the bell. Sarah appeared.
Tell Bessie to make big potful
of coffee. And serve it in here!"
I'm glad you've come, Molly, "
Patrick began at once. And you
too, Walter. When 1 got to your
place last night, Molly, your moth
er said that you'd gone home with
one of the girls. She'd forgotten
which one, so she couldn't get in
touch with you. And your people.
| Walter, didn't even know that you
been in Satuit. l told them that
you'd spent one night at least in
Mrs. Avery's Little House. That
0. K? ?"
"Yes," Walter replied without
any hesitation. Il spent two nights
there After pause he volun-
teered, Thursday and Friday
night. My apologies, Aunt Mary.
I'm sure you understand"
II dol" I answered.
But why" Walter went on in
an inquiring voice, did you want
to see me?" And why" Molly
echoed in an Indifferent one, did
i you want to see me?"
ITO get your" Patrick was be-
ginning
A blade of intuition cut through
me. "Oh, you haven't heard!" I
walled.
Haven't heard what?" they both
questioned.
"Oh Molly" 1 took it up, molly,
darling, we've got something
frightful to tell you!"
Molly's face turned to marble.
'My mother!" she whispered.
Not your mother!" I said swift
ly. "Ace!"
"Ace?" Molly questioned. Hes
dead?" She answered herself in
stantly. ACE is dead!" Molly
said this in kind of solemn ques-
ton, a kind of solemn statement.
She stared at me.
I could not speak. I bowed my
head.
ACE dead ." Molly
repeated. "Ace dead! Why
how could Ace die? Ace was so
full of life. Tell me what it is, Aunt
Mary! He didn't kill himself? Tell
me everything! Tell mel"
She had arisen from her chair
as she pleaded, came speeding like
blown flower, across the piazza
to me. AS swiftly, Walter followed
her. He put his arm about her.
He was murdered" could say
it in no fuller phrase, or in fewer
! words.
Murdered" Molly screamed it.
Walter pulled in a long Kissing
breath. His wide eyes, still on my
face, he drew Molly close. She
dropped her head to his shoulder;
deadened her Mysteries there.
Patrick swung in, THE body was
found in Mrs. Averys Spinney yes
terday afternoon. He had been
stabbed to death with the sword he
wore at the masquerade. Doctor
Geary says he died about mid
night"
My God!" Walter said in a
stupefed tone.
LAS long as you're here. Walter" !"
Patrick went on steadily, II want
to ask you a few questions. Per-
haps Molly'd like to lie down for
a while"
Walter led her to couch. He
seated himself beside her. Molly S
| handkerchief went up to her face.
She began to shake but in silence;
no sobs came. Walters arm went
about her.
Il must warn you both first, ;"
Patrick said, that anything you
say now can be used later in evi-
dence against you.
Walter looked with a fierce wor-
ship down into Molly's face. Molly
looked with a tigerish worship up
into his.
"Ask us anything you want!"
they said in unison.
You went to the masquerade,
Walter" Patrick began, "in a
| knights costume-armor-c
mail-or whatever you call it,"
Yes"
What time did you get to the
party?"
"Oh a little after ten. l should
say"
Did you dress in the Little
House, Walter?"
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