Arkansas State press., 1943-09-17

the estate Tor year from the date
Of her DEATH" Dwight had said,
knowing that Elsa ought to save
something out of it. but darn well
confident she wouldn't"
Sounds of laughter came from the!
house as we mounted the steps and
burst in upon the others. l lost.
Of course, the soft touch Of Elsa's
hand upon my arm and the comfort
OF her nearness to me. for she flew
to embrace one Of the girls among
the crowd Of young people making
merry in the living room. But not.
however. before she had tossed to
me over her shoulder the urgent
command, Barry. don't 60 away
tonight without me-"
I have no doubt that Jimmy the
Cheese. as Elsa called him that
night, was relieved that the depart
ed Aunt Kitty finally had cut loose
her niece. An old ladies' home,
even though it were filled top and
bottom with tea-and-toast old ladies,
was much easier task for 4 digni.
fed administrator, almost middle
aged, than just Elsa. She had sent
him her expensive motor car that
morning, and letter explaining:
You're aware that Aunt Kitty didn't
expect me to have a cent left today.
So I'm not disappointing her. L
can't think Of keeping anything my
dear aunt's money has paid for"
"And l haven't" said Elsa from
her chair beside the piano, that eve
ming she joined US at Dwight and
Margaret's. mot 8 penny--or any
thing her money has given me"
She stopped in vague alarm. She
had not spoken the truth. The proc
ess Of her thought was visible in her
face. Except the clothes on my
back" Dismay was in her eyes.
And" She stood up and tugged
first at her cuffs, then at the Shout
der OF her dress. I'm not keep
these any longer"
do them all up In a nice package,
Dwight, and send them tomorrow to
Mr.. Chesebro, with love from Elsa.
Be sure to put in the love-" She
smiled down upon Dwight as he
gathered the small bundle. one
tawny, beautifully tanned arm point.
ing to where the ring had rolled.
And, Margaret, dear, please get
me one Of your old suits for a work.
ing girl"
Margaret arrived instantly with q
heavy apricot negligee and the work.
ing girl suit was searched out within
the seclusion Of Margaret's bed
room.
Huntoon Rogers is a large man,
probably six feet tall and with
frame in proportion He has mild
blue eyes. such as have never seen
elsewhere; his ears are prominent,
as Is his nose, the latter not to his
disadvantage. The blond hair is be-
ginning to thin on top. He looked
up at me after a few moments and
spoke so quietly that nobody else
in the room could hear him.
"She hated her Aunt Kitty, didn't
she? Bitterly"
There's no doubt OF It,"
He went on playing. He displayed
a remarkable skill II had not
stood watching the dexterity of his
left hand. I'd have thought he was
playing two-handed composition.
"What did Aunt Kitty die Off" he
asked, glancing up again.
"An overdose Of morphine"
His flying fingers executed a long
run.
WAS she an addct?"
"Yes."
"Self administered" he inquired,
finishing the piece with a restful
chord
"The police said yes; the district
attorneys office, as you are aware,
has doubts"
ITS a stone rolled away from the
tomb" said Elsa. full Of classical
illusions, her quiet voice devoid,
however, Of the theatrical. 'Its
Tantalus fed at last and Sisyphus
at the top Of the hill. The dead
hand has let 90 It's territ lie grip"
She drew her head back and
breathed immensely of the moonlit
night Barry, oh, you can't mag.
inc, even with that trick authors
Imagination Of yours. Wsat IL means
to he treel Free Of Aunt Kitty and
the centuries Of No and 'Cannoti
It's freedom, Parry, when ! thought
freedom had forsaken me-"