Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-01-05

fed her completely. Patent" was
the word and she thought 1t was
followed by a Number, but the
sharp sound Of the one word was
all that reached her clearly. And
it was just as well, she decided as
she lay in bed fully an hour later,
because with only that little bit to
work on she couldn't get her mino
to relax long enough for her 10 1aIl
asleep.
Next morning she and Sheila lay
in bed awhile talking over what
they would do during the day. Coll
was finally decided upon for the
afternoon, but when they couldn't
hit upon a good idea for the morning
Patty was inspired to suggest that
they spend part Of it. anyway, hav-
ing breakfast with Clarissa, who
always had her first meal OF the
day in bed. "Thatll take q GOOD
two hours" she said, laughing.
We'll have q regular gossip session
like down at school"
Sheila thought it was fine Idea
and promptly bounced out OF bed
and went to the head of the stairs to
call down to the cook to nix three
breakfast trays instead OF one. When
she got back to her mothers room
Patty was already inside, wrapped
in a yellow silk robe that made her
red hair look like flame from the
top of match.
-, A Slight Opening.
well. Sheila. darling" Clarlssa
began, what do you think of Vic's
father?"
Sheila wrinkled her nose. "A
perfect fool" she said ,fiatly.
Clarissas eyes widened and she
straightened nervously against the
pile Of pillows at her back. my
dear, really! That is hardly re-
spectful way of referring to WIGS
father"
PATTY giggled. ITO put 1t mildly"
she said.
She reached over impulsively and
patted Clarissa's soft white hand.
She rather liked Sheila's mother and
she was confident that Clarissa liked
her. It occurred to her even as she
made the gesture and felt the ala
mond ring on the third finger OF the
elderly woman's right hand that TINS
seemingly harmless little session
might vet bring results. She with
drew her hand and bent over 10
closer scrutinize the ring.
TT is lovely, isn't 1t, Patty?
clarissa said proudly. lifting her
hand gracefully and admiring the
stone. Owen gave it to me when
Sheila was born"
Its simply gorgeous" Patty eX-
claimed in all sincerity.
IF YOU think that's nice. Sheha
said, You ought to see the ones she
has sailed away in her safe" She
jumped up from her perch on the
bed and lifted her arched brows at
clarissa. Lets get them out now,
MON! Gosh, we haven't paved over
the family jewels in ages"
Surely, my DEAR" Clarlssa SAID
smiling. She winked At Patty as she
added, They'll all be yours some
day anyway; you might As well
know what you're getting"
Sheila pulled her white robe tight
around her and crossed the room to
where a large portrait Of her father
hung on the wall. She moved 1t to
one side and revealed small steel
door with a combination-lock dial
imbedded flush with its surface.
She hesitated q moment. then said.
"Oh, yes. I remember" and gave
the dial q couple Of quick turns.
The door opened and she reached
inside and took out q green metal
box.
There it isl" she said gayly,
holding it high. The Morgan treas
ure chest!" Patty and Clarissa
laughed and Sheila brought the box
over to the bed and set it on her
mothers lap with a flourish.
Sheila is Worried.
Patty's heart pounded IS she
watched Clarissa's beautifully mani
| cured fingers flutter at the tiny
combination lock on the front Of
the box, and when she saw them
hesitate a moment and felt Claris-
sa's eyes dart quickly to her face she
was panicky for fear the box would
not be opened after all. She was
sure that she knew the reason for
that moments hesitation, and she
could feel the struggle that went
on in the older woman's mind. But
Clarissa shrugged ever 80 slightly
and the next moment lifted the top
of the box and with an amazingly
deft movement of her free hand