The Wilmington morning star., 1941-02-15
CHAPTER TEN

ole Becomes. L QdQ ledIlleu ulS1S
was a mystery of some sort CEN
tering about the family papers;
now, the swinging out of the fire
place mantel revealed a hidden
safe. From the intent faces around
me it was evident that, except
the captain and Cary, not one of
them ever before had seen it.
The safe was not empty. In it
were neat bundles of papers and
a few boxes, but there was plenty
of room for the rubber-banded par
GELS which Cary and Mark placed
within it.
The papers from the desk are
on the left, Granddad," Cary an
nounced. Next come great-grand-
fathers, then yours, and on the
right I've put fathers"
Good. Mark, give me you arm.
Cary, close the safe"
Mark, with slightly Redeemed
face, fastened to assist his grand
father from his chair. Cary closed
the safe door, whirled the dial
and, again shielding with his body
the mantel mechanism from u
view, swung the framework back
into place.
Evidently only the eldest mem
Der of a generation-or possibly
only the eldest male member
was given information necessary
TO manipulate the mantel controls,
for Marks expression plainly
showed his dissatisfaction at be-
ing excluded from the secret.
And now to bed" Briskly the
old captain gave the order, but
noticed that he leaned heavily upon
Marks shoulder as they mounted
the staircase.
Janet and Kaye came into my
room with me.
What did you think OF Aunt
Althea's star act?" demanded
Kaye, perching on the foot OF my
bed.
1 shook my head. I was dying
to hear the girls opinions, but
intended to keep my W to my
self.
Sometimes I'm ready to agree
with Granddad that she's crazy
Janet sank into a chair and
took one close by.
Crazy! Crazy Like a fox!" Kaye
exclaimed, with fine sarcasm.
But what on earth did she think
she was doing with those papers?"
"She tried to burn them, didn't
she?" Janet answered as though
that explained the whole mystify-
ing performance.
so what?" Kaye stared at her
cousin.
Janet spoke slowly.
She's either crazy or she isn't.
If she is, we can disregard every
thing she does and says. If she
isn't, she didn't try to burn those
papers without a reason"
Il still don't understand"
Il may be wrong" Janet an
sWered. Il hope l am, but I'm
afraid there's something among
my dads papers she doesn't dare
have the rest of us see."
What can it be-" Hayes eyes
were growing round and big.
maybe it's just a personal pa
per your father was keeping for
her." 1 hazarded.
II wish I could think that" ia
net answered. Maybe my imag-
nations running away with me,
but 1 have the craziest ideas"
you've been seeing too many
movies, cousin NINE" jeered
Kaye. You'll be having us in
the middle of a Bolshevist plot,
an international spy scandal or
What else is there, Nancy"
Nothing could restrain Hayes
high spirits for long. 1 giggled at
her nonsense, and Janet's sober
ness dissolved into a half laugh.
you're a goose, Kaye" she
fondly declared.
And you're another" retortcd
her cousin, IF you start paying
attention to Aunt Althea's foolish.
ness. You're getting the blue will.
les, that's what's the matter with
you. I wish o goodness we'd lei
her burn the darn things up; Their
you'd not have anything to tor.
ment yourself about"
ttVN,1 pNfico that +b- ~o-~u l..
tried to burn came from my ia.
theirs chest"
What if they did? Just because
our beloved aunt's gone haywire
is no reason for the rest of us cul.
~tivating a case of the jitters. Come
on, Janet, I'm going to tuck you
in your little beddy-by. Mighty.
night, Nancy"
Only Cary and Kaye were al
the breakfast table next morning
when I entered the dining room.
"Cary's going to be busy this
morning." was her greeting. He
doesn't need you. I'm going down
to the fishing village; don't you
want to come with me?"
I'D love to-" I replied, IF you'll
wait until I do about an hours
work."
THAT will be plenty of time for
me-" she murmured. Janet anc
Mark have gone to Wetuxet, and
have to do the ordering, for moth
er's with granddad. He's not com
ing down this morning, and Aunr
Altbo,'s stavinc in bed. too. That