The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1939-01-25
Chapter 10
A Kiss Returned

anyone IT ills mouse W0uiu
take my bracelet - but where
could it have gomez"
Mrs. Marchand sat in window
chair in her room with breakfast
tray before her. She poured Noel
some coffee and slipped slowly
from her own CUP Her face had a
troubled look. her VOICE worried
tone, The sudden disappearance.o of
the valuable jewelry was disap-
pointing aftermath to the success
ful Christmas house party.
Il still believe you'll find it,"
Noel suggested. She wasn't so sure.
After a night o. intermittent
snatches of sleep she had come into
Mrs. Marchand's bedroom. hoping
the bracelet had been found
"Are you certain you left it on
the dressing table," Noel asked,
Il am, or | wouldn't have spoken
about it, ! took it out of the safe
yesterday morning, intending to
wear it at dinner. Annie saw it on
the table. So did Jennie, who came
up to make my bed. ! didn't think
about it again until last night when
! was ready to retire and | real.
lied 1t was gone"
Noel walked to the window. A
light snowfall during the night had
made a fresh white carpet for the
grounds. She was thinking that
everyone of them--why, even she
was under suspicion.
"What do you intend TO do?" she
asked Mrs. Marchand
Elsie and janice had already
gone back to town. She cduldn':
believe either of them had taken
the bracelet. But then which
among the others could be guilty?
Surely not Mrs. Barton. Nor for
that matter. Mr.. Whitaker. Not
even Tommy Sheldon who had
seemed so contented making the
snow buildings. for little Jimmy.
And certainly not Jimmy's mother,
so grateful for the holiday refuge
i want to speak to Allan before
do anything" Mrs. Marchand put
down her cup, ut would be a hor-
rible thing to ruin the visit for the
innocent ones-they'va seemed so
happy here"
Noel felt somehow to blame.
And wasn't it something like this
Allan had suggested when he OPP
posed their putting the advertise
ment in the paper?
A knock on the door interrupted
their conversation. To Mrs. Mar
Glands "Come in" Allan entered
the room. He was dressed in
tweeds and his face had a fresh
healthy look as though he'd been
walking in the cold morning. "r
Allan kissed his mother and
turning to their guest remarked,
"Good morning. Noel; aren't you
up rather early?" =
Evidently not as early as you"
Noel responded with a forced
smile. She started to leave the
room. Mrs. Marchand halted her.
swat, dear; we'd better tell Allan
about it."
Allan glanced from one to the
other. Reaching into his pocket. he
said nonchalantly.
"Oh, mother. I almost forgot. !
picked this up on the floor yester-
day and forgot to return it 70 you"
He handed his mother the gilt
tering bracelet. "Yoa shouldn't be
so careless with your baubles."
Foolish Suspicious
MRS. MARCHAND cried out in
IV1 surprised relief. 81 thought
someone had taken it! That's what
Noel and ! were talking about"
Turning to Noel: I'm so sorry !
was mistaken - and happy my
foolish suspicious were wrong"
will you have some coffee?"
she asked Allan, reaching for the
silver bell. =
81 had breakfast long ago." AL
Ian explained and started for the
door. To Noel he said. would you
like a walk through the woods?
lisa wonderful morning"
'I'd love it." Mel responded.
I'll get ready at once" She was
watching Allan keenly and he.
aware of her glance, turned away,
AS he opened the door he COM
Inented in his best off hand voice:
"Oh, by the way. young Sheldon
went in on the early train. | gave
him a letter to Bob Demarest and
he seemed anxious to 60 to his
office first thing this morning. He
sent you his grateful appreciation.
mother-and promised to write
YOU"
Allan left them and Noel fol-
lowed quickly. She dressed in her
room, her mind a turmoil of
thoughts that wouldn't straighten
themselves out. Warmly clad in
her green angora suit, she joined
Allan in the hall lid as they strobe
down the road. she waited for him
to explain.
"You didn't tell the whole
story" she said quietly.
Tommy didn't mean to do it.
and 1t was the first time" Allan
said simply. Noel waited. II had a
long talk with him after I went up