The Coolidge examiner., 1937-06-24

the wedding festivities had probably
been over by ten o'clock last night.
He waved to her. She returned the
greeting. slipped down from the
saddle, gave the reins to Jake, the
stable man, and came to meet him.
Hello" she said when they met
in the drive.
Good morning" Jim was
shocked by her pallor, her listless-
ness, the shadows under her eyes.
How was the wedding?"
"All right" She sighed. II was so
dfully tired. I called the hos
pital this morning. They think Dol
ly's condition is more hopeful"
II know" Jim said. "MacPher-
son called. That's good news, isn't
it?"
Splendid" she said, but her
voice lacked vibrancy, the vitality
which, ordinarily, made it so
charming. She stood beside him,
silent for a moment, Ticking the tip
Of her crop against her boots. Was
it merely fatigue which was respon-
sible for her istlessness? Or was it
a new gnawing fear? Had she, too,
suspected Jeremy?
''It's a swell morning, isn't it?"
Jim said cheerfully. Did you have
a pleasant ride?"
II don't know. I was thinking"
She looked up at him. "Jim," she
asked, do you know who took my
car night before last?"
The question startled him. The
poignant unhappiness in the dark
golden eyes hurt him unbearably.
He wanted to meet her candor with
honesty. He hadn't courage enough
to give her even a hint of the sus-
picion which, in his mind. had be-
come certainty. He simply could
not hurt her as she would be hurt
if he answered her question frank
ly.
NO." he said slowly. Wouldn't
I have told the police if I had
known?"
But you have an idea?" she per-
sisted, looking up at him steadily.
occasionally" Jim said lightly.
The pleasantly drew from her no
answering sparkle.
You're shielding someone" she
said steadily.
Jim made an attempt at mirth-
full laugh.
Are you making hero of me?"
he asked. ITS no use. I'm not
the stuff of which heroes are made.
Cecily darling. I'm too fond Of crea-
ture comforts, Of sunshine and
horses and apple pie with cream.
1t must be awfully uncomfortable to
be hero"
He saw that he had not convinced
her. Again his attempted lightness
drew no sparkle from Cecily.
"You must not try to shield any,
one," she said with low intensity.
mot anyone Not for any reason.
No matter what happens" She
gripped his arm. Promise me,
jim"
She had suspected Jeremy. He
was almost certain of that. When
he spoke, his voice was grave.
THAT would be absurd, wouldn't
it." he asked, as we'll as entirely
useless. Dolly can-and will tell
us who took her driving that
night"
"Yes-if Dolly-lives. She drew
a long quivering breath. you're to
tell Father every thing. though. Ev-
erything that you know or suspect.
You've got to promise. jim"
Whom do you suspect?" Jim
asked gently. do you know?
Have you found out anything? Will
you-can you tell me?"
He thought she would have told
him, then, if they had not been in
terrupted. if Jeremy Clyde, at that
moment, had not come out from the
house.
Good morning." he called.
Hello, Cecily. I'm afraid I've
missed breakfast"
Jim glanced at Jeremy. He
looked fresh and rested, romanti-
cally handsome in light corduroy
trousers, pull-on sweater. the col
lar Of his shirt opened at the throat.
Surely his theory must be without
foundation, Jim thought. The fell
low couldn't have been so easily
amiable, so jaunty in manner and
appearance if what he suspected
was true.
And then he looked at Cecily. Her
eyes were turning from Jeremy to
Jim with such pain in their clear
golden depths that suspicion, grow
ing fainter in Jim'S puzzled mind,
became certainty again. Cecily
knew.
CHAPTER XIV