The Coolidge examiner., 1937-06-17

all rl8nt ana l had money enough
on account of working with you to
show Carol a pretty good time"
He reused, momentarily, from his
absorption in a new and exciting
romance. "Jim," he asked, "who
did take Dolly driving in Cecilys
car last night?"
II don't know" WEAKNESS, an urg-
ent need for sleep, crept over Jim,
dulling his senses, confusing him.
MACPHERSON has questioned ev-
eryone on the place. The men
have water-tight alibis. It's possi-
bic that an outsider might have
come in and taken the car. Ralph
is careless about locking the ga
rage. That theory is hardly prob
able, though. Dolly is the only one
who could tell us and Dolly is con-
scious only for a moment now and
then. 1t would be dangerous to at
tempt to question her. The matter
of greatest importance to all Of us
is that Dolly shall have every pos
sible chance to get we'll"
1T was a rotten trick! And you
thought it was me-" Tommy said
reproa chfully. That's what hurts
me. JIM"
I'm sorry, old man." Jim ex-
tended his hand. You see thought
of those letters. I blamed myself
for letting you think the preposter-
Gus thing you did think. Can you
forgive me?"
"Oh, sure" Tommy wrung the
hand Jim extended. "And don't
you worry. Dad will be here to-
morrow. He'll find out who did it.
Dads pretty smart. Don't you wor-
ry, jim"
I'm not going to worry. I'm
going to sleep. l feel as though I'd
been hit in the head"
Jim left Tommy to the compost
tion of his letter under the purple
beech. He walked up and across
the lawn, thinking only of getting
to bed as quickly as possible. Gee
lily hailed him from the garden. Jim
saw that Clyde was with her.
'Wait minute" she called. 81
want to talk to you, Jim!"
She came up to him, flat basket
of asters and cosmos held in the
crook of her elbow. Jeremy fol-
lowed her closely.
'These are for the wedding dec
orations," Cecily said, indicating
the flowers. Il promised Mrs. Pat
ton to send them over and I forgot
them this morning."
Let somebody else take care of
them," Jim said. ''You ought to
be getting a nap"
Il know" She sighed. I'm SIM
ply dead. I'll look ike the ghost at
the feast. Oh we'll, it's brides
maids first duty to look less radi-
ant than the bride"
Il hope you can persuade her to
go to bed" Jeremy said with a note
of concern in his voice. "She won't
listen to me-"
Jim, surprised at the statement,
glanced at Jeremy. He had the
white and shaken look which Jim
had observed that morning at the
hearing.
''You look as though you didn't
sleep we'll last night" he said, re-
turning the amiability surprisingly
extended. And I'm completely out.
How about a nap all around?'
The suggestion had been innocu-
Gus, a mere exchange of civilities.
The words had no underlying motive
or purpose. Their effect upon Jer-
emy puzzled Jim for an instant,
then tore in lightning streak
through the WEAKNESS dulling his
senses. Clyde! Why hadn't he
thought of that? The casual remark
had brought into Jeremy's eyes a
sudden expression. of terror.
Have you heard from the hospi.
tai since this morning, Jim?" Gee.
lily asked.
MACPHERSON called about an
hour ago." Did he imagine it or
was Clyde waiting in breathless sus-
pense for his reply. There's been
no decided change" he continued.
The physicians in charge of the
case are extremely apprehensive.
Dolly is conscious only now and
then"
Cecily sighed, looked up at Jim
with a faint encoura ging smile. ''Fa-
ther will be here in the morning."
she said. II dread this wedding
The morning papers hadn't the sto-
ry, merely a brief police report"
Il wouldn't worry about that, dar-
ling" Jeremy said soothingly. '"The
countryside has been too greatly alb
sorbed in the wedding to read pa
pers today. You're completely ex-
hausted, Cecily." He took the bas-
ket from her. you've time enough
to sleep for an hour, at least. See
you again, Fielding"
Cecily smiled back over her shoul-
der at Jim as Jeremy, his hand on
her arm, led her toward the house.
Jim watched them go in through
the side door, then continued on
his way to the cottage, thinking, nit
ting fragments together. growing