Glacier County chief., 1940-07-19

with a drift of almost invisible mois-
ture. Indoors, every surface was sticky
to the touch, while the humidity con-
verified open air exercise into punish
ment.
Her spirits had sunk to zero on one
unusually dark day when the sky was
covered with layers Of black clouds. The
weather was so unnatural and the at
moSphere of the house SO repreSsive,
that she felt almost suicidal as she
glanced at the paper. Its headlines an
nounced the verdict on a woman who
was on trial for poisoning her husband.
1t found her "Guilty"-but owing to
the brutality of the man-recommende
her to mercy.
Kathy found herself hoping that the
woman would get off scot-free. She
mooned about in kind of bad dream
where she was only partially conscious
of her surroundings. When she paid
her morning visit to the kitchen she
displayed none of her usual warm hu-
mainly which her husband criticized
as lack of dignity. AS rule, she took
an interest in the maids remarks, but
that day she scarcely heard what they
said.
She was also blind to the signs of
suppressed excitement in Una during
tea-time The child's face was flushed
and her eyes were bright with defiant
eXultation.
Kathy started nervously when the
telephone rang in the hall.
Expecting a call?" asked Mint.
Ne" she replied indifferently.
A minute later the parlor maid ap-
peared to tell her that she was wanted
ION the phone" She almost ran from
the room, her heart leaping in antici-
rNatiN Dn &c
voice, it seemed to her, in her strung
up condition. to be a prelude to dis
aster. She felt certain that he was
about to rush over and force an issue
with Mint.
THAT you, Kathy?" He spoke breath
lessly, as though he shared her excite
ment. I'm coming over At once"
NO" she cried, you must not come
don't want you. L"
But its urgent. I've something to
tell you
He rang off before she could protest
further. As she laid down the receiver,
standing beside her.
who was that?" he asked.
ALAN Easter. He says he's coming
over"
And you tried to stop him. Why?
Your manner was most odd. Almost
vehement. One would think he had
designs on our valuables. Is there any
thing in this house that he covets?"
YES" she replied recklessly. Una"
Really? only Una2 When this young
man arrives, I must have a little en-
tightening chat with him."
She read the threat underlying his
jocoSe voice. When Alan came he meant
to provoke a distressing scene. Indif-
ferent to the drizzle she rushed from
the house and walked up and down
the sodden red gravel and squelchtng
lawn.
II must warn him." she thought. ct
must send him away"
AS she pushed open the heavy front
gate, to see whether the car were in
sight, she heard footsteps behind her
She turned to see the 'parlor maid who
was holding a newspaper over her head
to protect her starched frills from the
rain.
"Please madam" she said primly,
Cook wants to know what you've done
with nj, the g.; jOi rt1s.tsd xotbv n,,ns,v
"Why?"
ribs and sirlOin t toggsth ea And Cook
The last sentence recalled Kathy to
her domestic responsibility. Her hus-
band was a heavy eater and she knew
that there would be pandemonium II
an inadequate meal were provided.
She must ring up the butcher and
arrange for an express delivery, she
said. "Perhaps had better drive over
myself. I'll speak to her"
Directly she opened the front door
she became aware that her husband
had been informed already Of the mys-
tery. He seemed to be holding q kind
Of furious investigation In the hall