The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-10-27
M URDER
In PARADISE
sy Marguerite Gohoson

nat NfHhFN III HNH "a NY WYNN
ness for = second. Good heavens,
Why :"
They have phone. and I
rowed over. I saw no reason 70
advertise this crime % the entire
community. and At the inn people
certainly would have overheard
nv conversation.
That's Just too bad. ! suppose
il never occurred to you that YOU
left me there alone in that heastly
woods with a dead man and a
criminal loose. II didn't occur -
you I would have enjoyed little
company while the law took its
own sweet time arriving.
Nonsense. said Maudie. wip-
ing cold cream off her face for
the second time that night. That
nice Officer Antler said l did ex-
sotly right and nothing happened
TO you anyway"
"A lot you'd care" I said Bit
terlv. "A fine mother you are.
suppose you're already seeing
yourself as lady sleuth.' I was
too tired TO continue the argument.
but the next morning ] started
from where had finished.
Msudie. 1t seemed. had done her
calling from the old Morris resi-
dence all right. and then. she adj
mitted. she and Miss Mile, whom
she had criticized not so many
hours previously for her strictness
with Jeanne. had discussed thef
crime
She knows the land around
here and all the people" Maudie
justified that night conversation
thusly. Il merely tried to learn
If she could throw any light on
the crime"
Well. could she -
1t seemed that Miss Morris was
too busy recalling her own anger
at Herbert Cords attentions to
her niece to think of why he had
been killed or by whom Not
that I blame her for feeling that
way" Maudie hurried to add. she
feels he took advantage of the
ehild's guillibility and unsophistics-
ton. and. of course. she feels this
trick of his-this bringing his cur
rent fisncee back TO Paradise Lake
is exactly what one would ex-
pect of such character.
IF she goes around spouting
those sentiments she may find her.
self added to the list of suspects"
told her. And 80 will you IL
you don't keep still. haven't
seen you shedding any tears over
the death Of this man"
You haven't either. so don't
jump at conclusions. Anyway. l
know she didn't do it."
And I suppose by now you do
know the guilty one" said. COM
pletely out Of patience.
Il made no such statement. buta
7 can have my suspicious"
Suspicious can be dangerous
when spoken aloud and I was
upset more than l wanted her to
know. After all. Naudie and
had found the body.
! didn't want to be bothered
with lot of questions by police
during what I had hoped to be
quiet, restful vacation I didn't
want 10 get in an argument with
Maudie either. II was like hitting
ones head against stone wall.
for one never achieved results. n
walked down TO the inn. perhaps
Id hear what the local gentry
was saying and if I went for the
mail it wouldn't give Msudie
chance TO 90 down there and talk.
went to my room to try and
cover some OF the sunburn on my
nose with that special powder
Maudie had bought for me In an
ticipation of this emergency. then
slipped into my stacks and sweater.
Just for good measure ! put on
touch of the new Passion shade
lipstick she mad casually parked
on my dresser. and the result
wasn't as bad as Id imagined.
I was glad there was something
to take my thoughts off the past
night and coming events. I decided
that even the CLINT of white over
my left ear wasn't as bad as Ia
first thought.
Maudie was writing IN her diary
when I went to her room. Don't
be too literary" I said. and II
might be wise not to put down all
the people you think are guilty"
She looked up at me over the
top Of her glasses and chewed the
tip Of her pen handle Her desk
always was a mess of odds and
ends so I don't know why my eyes
were attracted to the coin lying
next to her powder box II was
lucky piece At least that's the
only way ! can describe II. and
I reached over TO examine Il.
Msudie beat me IN the draw and
put II In her manicure kit
Well. really" ! said. 4 wasn't
gong 10 steal II. What is II. any
way I never knew you 10 carry
lucky pieces"
I don't she said. ITS Just
something ! found Maybe Il will
bring me luck"
I hope you won't have 10 use
Il" said. And remember. If YOU
mind your own business and don't
talk out Of turn youl be able TO
toss It right over your left shout
dor