The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-03-21
Mr. Temple Loses His Watch

inc of the conversation on the stairs | the previous evening.
 "No. wouldn't care. We're both | looking around a little. might even i fall in love" She got up from the bed. "I'1 better be getting dressed.
 Ann glanced at the little clock on her dresser. It was after lO.
 Jeff plays until g." Irene ex- plajned. "I never show up till mid night or after" She left the room
 Ann was ready for bed when the telephone rang. She waited for Rose to answer but, when the bell kept up it's monotonous chant, she went to the upstairs sitting room. MT. Temples residence" she said.
 Ann? Steve talking"
 Hello, Steve"
 How'd you like to go Tor a cruise on the lake? It's swedish night" Honestly, Steve, I'm too tired"
 "Itll do you good. I'll have you back in an hour if you say so. The moon is not quite full, but tipsy-"
 Are you, too?"
 Steve laughed. My state of in- toxication is well in hand, lady"
 It was dark in the sitting room and the moonlight made puddle on the carpet. It would be gorgeous on the lake. The Temple gardens sloped down to the waters edge A dock reached far out into the lake. Ann could imagine Steves launch put-putting up to dock in the silVery light. For a moment she was tempted.
 Then, "Steve, try to understand MT. Temple and Irene and Blake are wonderful to me, but, after all, I'm not member of the family. l have work to do and plenty of it. l can't go footing off at this hour or the night"
 "Ill bet buck Irene is preparing to take off," he said.
 That's different"
 Doesn't a bousekeeper rate boy friend?"
 Perhaps-after she gets her housekeeping under control"
 Then you won't go?"
 Not tonight, Steve. Thank you. Ann was not too pleased that Steve had asked her to slip out of the house for a midnight cruise. II clearly emphasized the difference ir their stations. He seemed to reao her thoughts.
 Don't think I'm trying to back door you" he said. What told you last night goes. If you don't watch out I'll ask John Temple for your hard"
 "Steve-you stay in your own back yard and I'll stay in mine That's the better way"
 "All right, but I'm warning you
 This is only the beginning of my I campaign. The william will still bt . pursuing you when the gold Of youl hair has turned to silver" He wa! !, diSarming and engaging. His inter
 est salvsd Ann's hurt just a little Paul had robbed her of Self-con ! fidence. Steve gave 1t back to her. "I1l let you know when the frs n gray thread appears" she said. "Un' til then, cheerio." She replaced tho telephone, silencing his pleas. Three hectic days passed. Agains 7, terrific odds, Ann made progress 7, She decided on a new market ant o clipped Plunket's objections short. q could have both you and you.
 uncle arrested for what's been goint = on," she said. Plunket retired tt
 menacing silence. It was on thirc
 night that Ann saw the cook Whisl
 out of her room as she turned tht
 corner in the second floor corridor. "Plunket-" she called sharply. There was no answer and she wa! half inclined to believe that sht
 had imagined the visit. Blake, home
 for few days, dashed out of hi! room, begging for help with hi!
 dress tie, and Ann forgot the in
 cident.
 The following morning MT. Tem'
 pie came down to breakfast with {
 grievance. My watch has diSap
 peared," he grumbled, frowning ant
 fumbling at his waistcoat pocket. ".
 know I had it when I came hom'
 last evening Remember distinctl,
 I changed to tennis clothes befor
 of taking it out of my pocket whel
 dinner"
 That's queer" Ann said. q couldn't have got very far" Rose, who had been serving tn e fruit, vanished into the kitchen 7 When breakfast was finished MI ' Temple asked Ann to ring for tn . maids. They came into the dinin a room, Rose and Beth and Plunket e They stood in a row gazing at thei It employer from under scoWlin
 brows. Ann thought Plunket's eye l. too bright, watched them shif r. maliciouSly.
 l. Has anyone seen my watch?" Mi W Temple asked, scrutinizing each fac r. in turn.
 e Rose and Beth shook their head! ,- Plunket looked meaningly at Ann. d q don't want to be suspicious,
 MT. Temple went on, Out severa
 things have disappeared aroun l, here. When took my late wife