Evening star., 1940-11-14

glass and looked across the street
to the porch where Charity Holmes
knitted in her wheelchair.
The dim street lights in the gath
ering dusk cast shallow circles Of
light on the sidewalk before Jona-
than Whipple's house. Across the
way, the alert, black eyes of the
chair ridden woman were free to
rover over the street and quick to
recognize the inhabitants Of Blue
field.
With a stifled sigh the murderer
dropped the curtain and In the dark
silent house sought the rear door
that looked out onto a vacant lot
and prairie beyond. Here he was
safe; he could cut across the lot.
Whipple's house shielding him fronS
Charity's vision until he could
double back down Maple street and
reach the village square. He dared
not risk detection at Charity's
hands. For she could recognize him,
even in the dark. and she would
remember when the news broke.
Across the street Charity Holmes
clicked her needles and tugged
gently at the bright yellow yarn
that lay in Mildred Farnsworths
lap.
Charles Is Late.
"1t's funny Charles is so late to-
night" Mildred's voice carried pique
though she spoke softly enough.
Even then he won't be finished
with his work when he does come
from that wild goose chase into the
country. as he called It,"
Still the old lady said nothing.
She had confidence in her adopted
son even If he was an hour late
already
Charles has to 60 over to see
Mr.. Whipple tonight Mildred went
on, "and he always takes so much
time"
Only then did the superb rhythm
of Charitys knitting break for an
instant. What does he want with
Charles tonight?" 1t was a simple
question, idly asked and idly an
swered.
"Oh, Mr.. Peters asked Charles to
stop and get a new lease signed
for the house over there. Though
why, after five years without a
lease. our office Is now asking for
one. I'm sure I don't know. But
then" she laughed, I'm only an
office secretary!"
sometimes you secretaries know
q good deal more than you let on.
Charity Holmes felt warmth and
confidence in this slender, nervous
sweetheart of Charles. warmth and
confidence, and under that a sense
of depth and toughness OF mind.
Mildred, Charity felt. was capable
Of great resolution. She wondered
lust how much this confidential Sec
retary to Francis Peters really knew.
Mildred had gone to work for
the firm of Peters Il Warner, Real
Estate, three years before. Two
years previous to that Peters and
Randolph Warner had merged their
two real estate firms. Peters had
been in business alone in . small
office over the drug store. Randolph
Warner, the bank president and Mil
dred's uncle, had turned over the
entire management Of the partner
ship to the energetic, lame Peters.
At the time of the merger Charles,
fresh from the State university and
law school, had joined the firm,
and two years later Mildred, re-
Gently orphaned, went to work In
the office.
Charles Finally Returns.
IT haven't seen your uncle In a
long time" Charity remarked. She
paused in her knitting to scoop up
q lock of white hair on the nape Of
her neck. Always an immaculate
beauty, Charity tended her pile of
white hair, her transparent skin
and slender, agile hands as carefully
as ever. Five years in a Wheel
chair as a result Of stroke had
curtailed her activity, but not her
mind nor her personality.
"Uncle Randolph isn't himself
these days." Mildred replied. Part
of his depression probably comes
from Aunt Jessicas death, but
there's something else, I'm sure.
He's worried"
General business, probably:
Charles was saying :"
Mildred interrupted, There's
Charles car now!" She rose as she
spoke and reached the top Of the
steps as the stubby roadster drew
up in front of the house The soft
light from the street lamp and the
glow from the living room behind
her silhouetted the striking figure
Of the girl, her red hair cleaning
above her glowing, olive skin.
She waited eagerly as the tall
man bounded up the steps and stood
beside her, his blond hair smooth
and curly, his blue eyes smiling
with crinkles at the corners.
"Hi!" Charles had one greeting
for his sweetheart and his aunt.
"You two girls no doubt are ready
to slay me, Charity for keeping din
ner waiting, Mildred for missing the
early show over at Hoopsville."
'You aren't through yet, either,
Charles" Mildred went over to the
porch table and reached for a long
envelope. 'Mr. Peters wants you
to get Mr.. Whipple to sign this lease
tonight"
Charity Thinks Back.
HE said he'd do that himself
tomorrow" Charles dropped into
the swing beside his aunt's chair.
''First he asked me to get it signed
when I came home for dinner. Then
when told him I had to go out he
said there was no hurry"
We'll, he must have changed his
mind. Better get it over with"
mo, sir, old Whipple can wait.
I'm hungry" Charles stretched as
he went toward the door. "I'l make
dinner a rapid affair, MIL polish old
Whipple off in short order, and
we'll make the last show instead Of
the first"
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