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Show THE RICH COUNTY REAPER. RANDOLPH. UTAH two kevs to a cabin BY LIDA SYNOPSIS Charming, wealthy Gabriella (Gay for Short) Graham, engaged to Todd Janeway, returns to a cabin in the Maine woods accompanied by a friend, Kate Oliver. The idea of a stay at the cabin occurred to her when she received a key to it following the death of her godfather, Uncle John Lawrence. The two girls notice immediately that someone has been, and probably is, Kate suspects that living in the cabin. Gay knows the identity of the mysterious occupant. , CHAPTER I Continued tonight. Idiot! Gay was placing the fluted china shade on the lamp. She was Kate thought, feeling as she frequently felt when she consciously lovely-lookin- g, considered Gays features and color- ing, a slight shock of surprise and wonder. The light from the lamp striking up into her face accented the faint dethe high cheek-bonepressions beneath them, the line of her jaw and rounded chin, the curve of her brows above her long, very deep blue eyes. Certain endearing flaws redeemed her face from the still perfection of authentic beauty, the straight thick lashes, the dusting of freckles across her nose, her wide, sweetly, curved mouth, the way her eyes narrowed and crinkled when she smiled . . . Do you know what I think? Kate said darkly. said Im breathless, Gay through a mouthful of apple. Those jars and the smell in the room over there. Kate gestured. I think hes a mad genius inventing a poison gas to annihilate the world. Can I depend on that? Gay moved away from the table. It to discover that would be a the smell was moonshine brewing. She bit again into the apple. Our cabin-mat- e reads, she observed. Thats encouraging, Kate said as Gay picked up a book which lay n Your upon the couch. home is known by the books you own. What is it? hormones. Something about Gay stood looking quizzically down at the book in her hand. Hormones! Kate repeated, then voice her lowering dramatically, Gay! Hes planning the perfect murder. Hes one of those educated criminals you read about with a keen analytical mind. A doctor, perhaps, who A doctor?. Gays altered voice s, let-do- face-dow- She attention. glanced quickly toward the couch at the far side of the hearth. Gays eyes were lowered over the book. She was turning pages with a quick fluttering motion of her fingers through the leaves. Kate heard a sound like a quickly drawn breath, faint but authentic. No name? she asked, as Gay lifted her eyes. The sound had been Nothing. authentic, Kate thought. Gay had made a discovery. Gays eyes were, presently, aware of Kate. They dropped ly Kates questioning glance. She placed the book on the couch, tossed the remains of the apple into the fire. Lets investigate further, she said, after a moment. Her voice was only a little shaken but the flush deepened and her eyes were very bright. Thats a sensible idea, Kate said serenely. Leave no stone unturned". Here, Ill carry that, she added as Gay turned to take the lamp from the table. Gay did hot demur. She walked to one of the doors leading onto the porch, opened it, stepped out into darkness. Kate followed with the lamp. The screened porch which extended across the front of the cabin disclosed nothing of importance. There were built-i- n bunks at either end covered with blankets and tarpaulins. There were fiber rugs, a table, chairs. The glass windows above the bunks were lowered but the front of the porch stood open to the night. Kate followed Gays heels, clicking with a muffled sound on the rugs, more sharply on the floor between, stopped when she stopped at the long table in the cen- peach-colore- . d . MACRAE to stand beside Gay. Moonlight lay on the clearing in front.of the cabin, marked the path sloping down a gentle grade to the edge of the lake. Beyond, the water stretched silver-gramotionless, barely distinguishable from the land. Im going to like this place, she Gay ignored the question. She turned the brushes arranged with precision on the pine top of the chest. There were no monograms. Theres the closet, Kate sug, , gested. Gay turned from the mirror, walked quickly halfway across the room and opened a door. Kate, folsaid, breaking the silence. Of course you are. Gays voice lowing, tipped the shade of the lamp was hushed, as though the serenity so that the light shone directly into of the scene before her had stilled the closet. A brown tweed suit, a two pairs of khaki trousers, her excitement. Ive never liked tan t, r, pajamas striped in ever as been well. Ive any place dressing-gow- n wool which a had Kate did not question her sinceri- seen a dark sweater with service, ty. It was curious, though, she re- a letter stitched to the heavy ribflected. She would not have supbing, hung in a row from the hooks. posed that Gay would find pleasure A tan felt hat rested where it had in the silence of the woods. Gay, been on the shelf above, and she had thought, loved gaiety1, on theflung floor below a pair of brown lights, the theater, supper-cluboxfords stood beside brown leather dancing, moving from one scene of moccasins laced with thongs. Nothfestivity to another with her smart ing here, surely, .Kate thought, and Her visits at was about to voice the thought in young intimates. her brief stays a$ her words. Dunedin, i fathers town house, were quite obA sound held her silent, a quickly viously motivated by duty and en- drawn breath audibly and slowly dured with boredom. She had given exhaled. Gays hand touched the every indication of preferring to be sweater. As Kate watched, her fore- with her mother and on Long Island, at their apartment in the city, in Florida or Bermuda, now that cut dividends and deflated values had closed to them the playgrounds of Europe. She, Kate, had scarcely seen the child since her engagement had been announced at Dunedin late in June until three days ago when she had turned up there and had proposed this trip to y, - . s, step-fath- er Maine. What had happened the summer shed spent here to make so lasting an impression upon Gay? Why, after six years, should she have wanted to return just at this time? Kates thought continued as Gay, standing beside her, remained silent. She spoke frequently, and with affection, of Dr. Lawrence whom she r, called Uncle John, her g her fathers friend, who had, at his death, left the cabin to her. Kate remembered him very well. Hed had a brilliant mind and great charm of manner. She knew that Gays father had not understood why his friend should have been content to remain the Dean of a small college in his native state of Maine when wider and more remunerative opportunities were constantly being offered him. That was explained at his death. Dr. Lawrence had had a serious heart condition which had restricted his acgod-fathe- life-lon- tivities. Its the harvest moon, isnt it? Gay stirred with a rousing motion at Kates side. Kate replied. About half of it, It should be full toward the end of the week. AN Gay com-panionab- ly through Kates arm. I wasnt thinking of moons. Its nice when the sun shfties, too. Im sure it is, Kate said. Feeling as cool as I feel now was worth the trip. I thought youd like it. You understand now, dont you, why I wanted to come? Kate was silent for a moment. Then, Not entirely, she said. She knew that the meaning behind the words was perfectly clear to Gay. The brief intimacy was shattered.. Gay withdrew her arm. She was not resentful now, though, as she had been when Kate had first questioned her motives. she said, laughCome along, ing, that shaken note of excitement We have trembling in her voice. stones we to are do. There things have left unturned. Gay walked directly to a closed door in the wall opposite the kitchen at the far end of the room." This is the she said and opened the door. Kate followed her into the room. It was considerably larger than the room off the kitchen and more comfortably furnished.' The lamplight, bright where she stood, fading into shadows at the rim of the cone of light, disclosed a built-i- n bed at each end of the room. The mattress of one was covered with newspapers bund and upon it lay dles which might contain bedding. The other, beneath windows which overlooked the porch, was obviously prepared for use. Between the windows in the side wall on a square of scenic linoleum stood a small stove with a length of jointed pipe. That looks familiar, Kate said. in case Its called a chunk-stovyoure interested. Theres, one in master-bedroom- ," Here, let me take .it. She unknotted the scarf and wadded it around the handle of the pot. Does it hurt terribly, Kate? Kate Ill probably survive. flapped her injured hand. So the e was to be simplicity, she thought, considering Gays appearance with a quizzically lifted brow. She wore a dark wool skirt, a white wool jumper, ghillies and white angora socks.. She had brushed her hair into a softly curling halo tied with a bright blue ribbon. Her face had a scrubbed and shining look. The freckles across her nose, undisguised by powder, were young and endearing. Kate smiled. out of key? she Isnt the k ' asked. It points the contrast. Gay, unabashed, returned Kates smile. The coffee smells marvelous. She poured the dark brown liquid into arcups from the ranged with plates and forks and spoons on the low table beside the key-not- paper-wrappe- e, , the rectory study at home. Gay gave no evidence of being interested in the stove. She stood ter of the porch. looking down at the top of a low The rain is over, Gay said. chest of drawers. Kate approached Nice weather tomorrow. with the lamp. He shaves, she said, making Kate looked out through the a shaving screening. The yellow glow of lamp- note of a razor-casl. a vision. She wooden blurred "Do her brush, placed light the lamp on the table and returned you suppose he dresses for dinner? e, soap-bow- The only way some people can keep the home going is to keep moving. Burglar It aint the jam I minds, son its you leaving on the jar. yer finger-prin- red-bro- lip-stic- picnic-hamp- ts Crocheted Squares For That Tablecloth lt.-- er hearth. Does it?. I hadnt noticed. Kate I cant returned to the smell anything except that perfume. Its certainly No it isnt. Gay pulled an arm chair close to the table, settled herIt self, bit into a sandwich. breathes of the great crushed ferns, mossy dells, moorland heather. I bought it especially for the occasion. Kate made a derisive gesture. It breathes of Fifth Avenue and the Silver Room at the Ritz. Maybe youre right, Gay said I adore hamburgers. amicably. was an inspiration. them Toasting Im starved. But she ate scarcely anything. She was listening, waiting, Kate thought, preoccupied with heaven only knew what thoughts, memories, anticipations. The continuing ripple of irrelevant comment was a smokescreen deliberately raised. In the intervals of silence when she lay back in the chair, her arms crossed under her head, Kate observed her warily. She was excited. That was obvious. But, though she smiled, her face in repose reflected some more tender emotion. she began Dont you think There were and stopped short. sounds outside the cabin, an expiring exhaust, a motor suddenly siTipped the shade of the lamp so a brake jerked on, a door shone lenced, that the light directly into the closet. resoundingly slammed. Kate, watching Gay, saw her start forward, saw the bright trembling expectanfinger tipped with an almond-pin- k nail traced the letter stitched to cy, unrelieved by humor or bravathe ribbing. do which, for an instant, illuminated She turned after a moment. her face. Then, conscious of Kates intent and somewhat disconcerted A completely anonymous person, she said and closed the door. gaze, she slowly relaxed. CompoBut Kate was not deceived. The sure slipped like a mask across her face. She sat back in the chair. d gesture of the finger with the nail had been very revealing. Arriving in a cloud of dust, she If she had not known before, Kate said, her voice only a little shaken, thought, again both concerned and her eyes turning from Kate to the amused, Gay knew now, at least, door. who was here. Mud, which must certainly spoil the effect. Kate rose from the footstool. Well, let us be brave. Me, CHAPTER II 1 feel braver standing. She walked of end to the hearth the and stood She couldnt force Gay to tell her. against the chimney, her Kate regarded with satisfaction a leaning low mantel shelf. bun on a long toasting-for- k which arm on the On the radio a baritone sang melt-ingl- y she held over the bed of embers in of a rendezvous on the Isle of the fireplace. She would be obliged to bear with her curiosity until the' Capri. Through the music came the owner of the sweater appeared. He sound of a door explosively opened, was taking his time about it. She resolute footsteps thudding across eyes turned and Gay had unpacked the rumble the kitchen floor. Kates to the from door. profile Gays of the coupe. They had found a can (TO BE CONTINUED ) of kerosene beside the back steps and had filled and lit every lamp in the cabin. They had brought two Building Survey Reveals pails of water up from the lake. American Idea of Home Preparations for a late supper were When you suggest owning a new well under way, now, and still he home to the average American, he had not appeared. or she thinks in terms of a house Gay was in the room which shed costing less than $6,000, and concalled the changtemplates between 10 and 15 years ing her clothes. Shed gotten her- to pay off the debt. ' self pretty wet bringing water up These are some of the things that from the lake. Was it deliberate? the committee on trends of the UnitKate wondered, not without just rea- ed States Loan and Savings league son for suspicion. What effect was has learned from a questionnaire she creating, now, before the mir- on public attitudes. Surveys were ror above the chest of drawers? made of the attitudes of people seShe sounded very blithe and gay. lected at random, including 5 per Her voice, sweet and husky, influ- cent factory workers, 7 per cent enced, no doubt,' by the night-clu- b of businesses, 20 per proprietors singer who was the latest enthusi- cent housewives, 16 per cent profesasm of Gay and her intimates, sional workers and 12 per cent salesfloated put through the open door. men and miscellaneously employed, She was singing with the radio ., others. Results of the last six years emAppropriate, Kate thought. Whew! A smell of scorching recalled her phasis by government agencies on attention to the bun. She removed the monthly repayment home mortit from the fork, placed it with three gage, which is a century-ol- d heriothers on a plate keeping warm on tage from the savings and loan inthe hearth. The coffee was boiling stitutions, show prominently in the over, Kate rose from the survey. Nine. out of every 10 peron which she sat and bent forward, sons would prefer an amortized to lift the pot from the bed of em- mortgage in financing their homes. bers. ' Pale brown bubbles foamed The league, committee points out down over her hand. The exclama- that before the depression only those tion she gave, sharp and unstudied, who were borrowing money from the stopped the singing. Gay came into thrift and home financing institud the room knotting a scarf around tions about of all the her neck. were making mortgagors steady Salty language, my friend, she payments to- - reduce their debt on said. Oh, youve burned your hand. the home. foot-stoo- l. off-ke- y. Everyone will admire your skill when you use a cloth crocheted in this lovely pineapple design. The handy squares make grand pick-u- p work, too! Pattern 2441 contains directions for square; illustrations of it and stitches; photograph of square; materials required; Send order to: Sewing Circle Needlecraft Dept. Mew York Eighth Ave. Enclose 15 cents in coins for Pattern No Name Address pink-tippe- master-bedroo- ladys advice on a gardener: Look trousers. If theyre patched on the knees, you want him; if theyre patched on the seat, you dont. The girl who tells a man he isnt the only fish in the sea should remember she isnt the only bait. Castles in the air arent much good unless you build foundations under them. WNU SERVICE , hadnt counted on that. laughed and slipped her arm I OLD at his MORE SMITH CO. wine-colo- I shall never forget. Kate removed her hat. When Im eighty, and nephIll tell my grand-niece- s ews, the reason your old auntie is an invalid, my dears, is because once upon a time she drove twenty miles along a road in the state of Maine. No,. I couldnt, she concluded. Id rather face unknown terrors than jounce over those twenty miles again before R R I top-coa- 2 arrested Kates LA Wise and Otherwise m 82 Strength of Love Love is strong as death. 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