Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1936-07-04

COT
tage in the wood the door was opene
BY the new madam ice cold compe
: tent brunette, In Immaculate liVerJ
There was no doubt she was q d0meSti
treasure, and q great improvement o.
: Maggie, but Ann was repealed by tn
{ expression OF her thin Tipped mouth.
4 don't like your new maids face,
she said to her old goyerness wheI
: Coles had carried out the tea table
! Neither do l." remarked Miss Yves
calmly Shes far too good for mn
sltuation-yet she's no fool. My opin.
ION IS she's wanted by the police anC
has come here to hide. IT'S an idea
spot.
But you won't keep her?"
Why not2 She's an excellent maid
I Ihere's no reason why I should not
benefit by the special circumstances, Il
any. After all. it's only my suspicion. .
What about her references?"
"Superlative. Probably forged. The
housekeeper hadn't time to inquire too
closely. The place isn't popular, after
the attack on Maggie"
But / don't like to think Of you
alone, at her mercy"
Don't worry about me. She's been
TO the cupboard and found out it's bare.
I've nothing to lose"
Ann realized the sense Of Miss Vests
!
slant touch with the manor. Not long
afterwards she wondered whether she
had mlSiudged the woman, for she re-
ceived a letter, by the next mornings
post. which indicated that she was not
altogether callous.
Its address was the cottage in the
wood.
Dear madam" il ran. "Pardon the
liberty Of my writing to you, but I feel
responsible for Miss West in case any
thing happens to her and there's an
inquest. would be obliged il you would
tell me is her heart bad and what to
90 IN case Of sudden attack. I don't
like to trouble her ladyship as I am
a stranger to her and Miss West bites
my head off if ask her. I could not
ask you today because she is suspicious
OF whispering. VIII you kindly drop me
line in return and oblige
Yours respectfully,
MARION COLES" /
Ann hastily wrote the maid a brief
note, saying that Miss West had good
health-apart from the Gripping rileu-
matiSm-but recommending q bottle of
brandy, in case of emergency. She post
ed Il and forgot the matter
Meanwhile, Miss West was finding
Coles competency a pleasant change.
On the following Saturday, when she
carried in her mistress lunch, Miss
West looked, with approval. at her spot
less apron and muslin collar
After she had finished her we'll
cooked outlet and custard, she lay back
ana closed her eyes, in order to be fresh
for AIMS visit.
She had begun to doze when she
heard the opening of the front door.
Her visitor was before her usual time.
Ann" she called.
Instead Of her old pupil, q strange i,
woman entered the bedroom Her FASH
onably thin figure was defined BY
lgnt black suit and halo hat revealed
sharp rOuged face.
AS Miss West stared at her she gave
CRY of recognition.
Coles
The woman Sneered at her
Here's two gentlemen come to see
gu, she announced.
AS she spoke, two men, dressed with !,
lastly smartness, sauntered into the =
DOM. One was blond and handsome,
kept Tor a red triangular mouth; the q
ther had the small cunning eyes and o
ype. I
Go out of my ROOM" ordered Miss !,
Vest. Coles you are discharged" :, :,
The men only laughed as they adj -
anced to the bed. :,
We're only going to make you safer. =
"a lady,. said the fair man. you q
llgnE IAN out OF bed and hurt your 3,
Miss West did not condescend TO z
ruggie while her feet and hands were Il
scured with cords. Her wits told her =,
nat she would need to conserve every ="
lnce Of strength. -.
Aren't you taking an unnecessary -
recaution with a bedridden woman?" ~
Re asked scornfully. %
ssNotFino too syoo1 fnr mo-, s--,oa4
cart, the fair man told her. ~
Why have you come here2 MY for sss
er maid has told you that there is ii
othing OF value in my cottage" "
Nothing but you, beautiful" a.
How dare you be insolent to me? ~
axe off your hats in a lady's pres ~ ~
Ice. w
The men only laughed. They sat and :,
noked. cigarets in silence, until 3,
lock on the front door made them ~
ring to their feet. W
Let her in" ordered the ringleader. az
Miss West strained at her cords as ~ ~
'les went out of the room. Her black ~ ~
es glared with helpless fury when NC ,'s
IN entered, and stood-horror strick- -
lin the doorway. 'i'
Don't dare touch her." she cried. ~
The men merely laughed again. as ~ ~
ey seized the struggling girl, forced r arS
r down on q bedroom chair and be- a
a to bind her ankles. ~
Ann" commended the old governess. ne
.eep still. They're three to one. An We
smentary knowledge Of arithmetic
1uld tell you resistance is useless"
The pedantic old voice steadied AIMS
rveS.
Are you all right. Miss West?s she
red cooily.
Quite comfortable, thanks"
Good" Ann turned to the men.
hat do you want?"
They did not answer, but nodded to
les, who placed small table before
q. With the def movements of
] trained maid she arranged sta
1ery-stamped with Miss Vests adj
SIS and writing materials
hen the fair man explained the sit
ion.
The Williams kid wot you teach is
avs Fostering you to come here and
the old lady. Now. you're going TO
tie her q nice little note, inviting her
tea this afternoon"