Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1941-08-01
By MAYO DE La ROCHE
copyriEht: Isil BY News Syndicate Co.. Inc
IN TWO PARTS-PART TWO


IN TWO PARTS-PART TWO
She arose at S. She put on her warm
WOODEN dressing gown and went to the
bedroom that had once been her
fathers. From a drawer she took a
leather case containing a brace Of
heavy pistols. She removed one OF these.
saw that 1t was loaded and walked
steadily along the passage grasping it
In her hand, to Eileen's door. She
opened the door and went in.
The light was still faint. She could
Just make out Eileen's features relaxed
In deep sleep, one round white arm
thrown out across the pillow. She bent
over her and touched her bare arm
with the cold metal of the pistol.
Eileen gave start and cried out in
her sleep. Then she opened her eyes
and stared up at Miss Peel.
Goodness sakes." she cried Are you
sick ma'am? You ought to have rung
your bell!" She sat upright. Say, your
hand felt like ice."
1T was not my hand, Eileen" said
Miss Peel. 1T was this"
She held the pistol up before her
1t pointed just above Eileen's head.
she said in a whisper, knowing from
stories told her by her mother, that
you must humor crazy people. You
mustn't let them know you're afraid
Of them. She remembered in a flash
how Miss Peel had seemed different
the last week. Shed seemed broody
like an old hen. Yes" she whispered,
them things are cold. You'd better
rxs,, % tNI.- ~
it for you"
NO" said Miss Peel. I'm Just going
to carry 1t about with me while
watch you work. I want you to get up
now and begin your days work. You
have lot to do, so you'd better hurry"
Eileen scrambled out Of bed. She
picked up her clothes from the chair
and edged toward the door. Miss Peel
pointed the pistol at the space be-
tween Eileen and the door.
Il advise you not to try to get
away" she said. IF you do Just what
you are told I won't harm you but
there's no knowing what III do If I'm
crossed"
She sat down on the chair and looked
with cold authority at Eileen. Trem-
bling from head to foot she began to
put on her clothes. By the time she
was dressed she was little less terri
fled. 1t was Just like something out
Of the movies. Gee, she'd land the old
woman In the asylum, once she'd got
away from here!
She began to feel like a heroine.
She said, in a soothing tone-"I'll
make you some breakfast. Then you'll
sure feel better and you'll give me the
gun to keep for you, won't your"
Miss Peel did not answer. She fol-
lowed Eileen down the stairs. The girl
had q mind to make dash for it
and try to reach the outside but she
knew the door was locked. No, she'd
tust have to humor Miss Peel and
wait her chance. She set about pre-
pairing breakfast.
Its terribly early for you, ma'am.
amt it,"
yes" agreed Miss Peel, but there's
a lot to be done"
She directed Eileen to boil two eggs
and to carry both breakfasts on tray
into the dining room.
"Och!" Eileen, throwing up her hands
and becoming suddenly very Irish.
THE rooms not fit fur you at all,
dear Miss Peel! I'm in the middle Of
house cleaning it,
Don't worry" said Miss Peel. Il
saw it a week ago"
Eileen's jaw dropped.
"A week ago! And how could you
see it week ago?"
II came downstairs" anwsered Miss
Peel, polishing the pistol on her sleeve,
land went over all the rooms"
80 that's why you were broody?"
Eyes. And that's why you're going
to work like the devil till you have
everything in order again." Such Ian
guage on the lips of Miss Peel shocked
Eileen almost as much as the sight of
the pistol in her hands. Trembling
from head to foot she set down the
tray. Obsequiously she turned and be-
gan to side out of the room.
Don't CO." raped out Miss Peel.
You'll have your meals with me for
the present"
But Eileen had no appetite. Never
had food been SO tasteless to her. She
sat, trying to get it down, while tears
ran over her cheeks and her fascinated
eyes were fixed on the heavy pistol iy-
ing beside Miss Peels plate. Miss Peel
ate with relish.
When she had finished she said, in
a commanding voice. Now get your
cleaning cloths. There are plenty of
them. And a pail of hot water and
cleaning powder and soap. You will
do this room first so we shall have a
decent pleace to eat in"
She went behind Eileen to the
kitchen and stood behind her while
she filled the pail and collected the
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES