The Coolidge examiner., 1937-06-24

intervals during the afternoon
II do, Father" Cecily said ear
nestly. She sat on a low stool near
her father, her head resting weari-
ly against the arm of his chair Mr.
Vaughn looked tired from his jour-
ney, troubled, confused. Late after
noon sunshine fell through the vines
which rooted the side veranda. A
shadow leaf quivered on Cecily's
cheek.
"And I believe you, too" Mr..
Vaughn said gruff1y. I'm the time
you have been with us I've never
known you to be other than trust
worthy and honorable. / believe
you, jim"
Thank you" Jim relaxed a lit
tie in the willow chair. Mr..
Vaughn's commentator, the shad-
ow leaf on Cecily's cheek made his
throat feel tight.
but who could have taken the
carr" Mr.. Vaughn asked. Have
you any idea, Jim?"
Mr.. Vaughn had asked the ques-
ton, musiLgly, at repeated inter-
walls during the long Interview with
Cecily and Jim. He had not, how
ever, questioned Jim directly. Jim
caught the swift startled look in
Cecily's eyes, saw her lips tighten,
saw the rapid rise and fall of the
soft bow against her breast.
Il have an idea," he said slowly,
''but no definite proof I may be
entirely mistaken" He felt Cecily's
eyes upon him and paused. He
couldn't tell Cecilys father in Ceci-
ly's presence that he suspected Jer-
emy Clyde.
Whom do you suspect?" Mr..
Vaughn asked encouragingly. "This
isn't court room, my boy. You're
in no danger of being sued for Ii
bel"
But he was in danger Of hurting
Cecily. If he might talk to Mr..
Vaughn alone-But Cecily had not
left her fathers side since he had
arrived.
'Pd rather talk to you in" Jim
replied hesitantly, looking over Geo
ily's bright head directly at Mr..
Vaughn.
Tell Father, Jim," Cecily said.
Her voice was low and controlled.
Nothing in her attitude betrayed the
emotion she felt, nothing except the
rise and fall of the soft bow against
her breast.
Jim sat silently in the willow
chair, forming phrases. rejecting
them, uncomfortably aware of Geo
ily's eyes, of her fathers alert at
| tention.
Susan came out from the house.
II guess Jerry Clyde is going
somewhere" she said casually.
He's packing his bags"
Jim glanced quickly at Ceci-
ly. She did not appear to be sur
prise3 by Susan's announcement.
She might almost have been expect
ing it. She rose, at once, from the
foot-stool.
''Wait here until I return" she
said.
But what" Mr.. Vaughn made
a motion to rise.
"Please, Father" Cecily's voice
shook. She steadied it with an eff
fort. Don't come with me. Let
me talk to Jerry-alone.
Mr.. Vaughn, a protest on his lips,
sank back in the chair. Cecily left
the veranda. In the brief silence
which followed Jim heard her foot
steps running along the hall, up the
stairs.
$50 that's it, is it?"
Jim nodded and turned to Susan.
How do you know that Jerry is
packing his bags?" he asked.
II know" Susan said. not quite
understanding, little proud of the
sensation she'd made. First he
telephoned-"
''Where?" Jim asked. ITO
whom?"
ITO the hospital where the girl
who was hurt is" Susan said. He
used the phone in your den, Dad
dy."
Where were you?"
II just happened to be on the up
stairs porch"
Just happened, Sue?" Jim
asked.
Susan, for a moment appeared to
be trifle disconnected.
well Cecily told me to go away"
she said plaintively. And l was
just as interested as anybody in
finding out who took Cecily's car
and what's going to happen to jim" 1"
"And from this end of the upper
porch it's possible to hear what is
being said down here" Jim said
accusingly. IF you lie fiat on your
stomach with your ear against the
railing"
Susan flushed.
"Well. l was as interested as any,
body, Jim. And Cecily told me to
| go away"
"Never mind" Mr.. Vaughn said
brusquely. Tell us what you heard
and saw"