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Show t V 'I THE RICH COUNTY REAPER, RANDOLPH. UTAH fU (la (la (la (U(lt(la(la (L (la (la (la (la (la (la (la (la (la (la (la (la (la (la (la (la (W(la(la(la r ? ? ? I ? 71 Tf SOMBRERO iI !&&&CLIFFORD KNIGHT $ iriVlCE I CHAPTER I & We were agreed, that warm tober evening as we sat gazing down from the hills upon the twinkling lights of Los Angeles, that the story of Elsa Chatfield should be written. Elsa, we thought, typified something eternal in the spirit of American youth something so fascinating to us older individuals that it should be set down as a part of the permanent record of the American scene. Margaret Nichols at this moment came out and joined us, sitting on the top step with her cigarette which she smoked lazily. It was one of those rare nights in California when one could sit out of doors comfortably, and her bare arms and throat seemed to smolder whitely in the half light which shone from the living room windows. I dont like the piano and the she singing. Not now, anyhow, said. Nobody can sing these horrible modern songs, if they really can be called songs. Did I interrupt you, darlings? Forgive me and go right on talking. We were just talking, dear. said Speculating about woman, Dwight, lighting a fresh cigarette. We mentioned Elsa Chatfield and then came to rest upon Aunt Kitty. Dwight blew a cloud of ghostly smoke into the shadows and said that Elsas aunt had been in love once. Margaret was incredulous. You didnt know Sam Chatfield Elsas father did you, Hunt? asked Margaret, turning to Rogers. Huntoon Rogers said that he had not. I was right in thinking that you came into our circle after Sam fled. He was a small, round, reddish man who quite remarkably had no egotism. Dwight, I think, is a little taller than Sam. Anyway, he bounced like a rubber, ball when he walked, and he was something in a bank in Pasadena. Sam Chatfield sat behind a huge mahogany desk all day and said no. Thats an awfully hard sort of job, dont you think? she said seFor just imagine men riously. coming with ambition and hopes, or in desperate straits about their finances and needing money, and having to say no to them. Any decent person would feel it dreadfully. And, of course, Sam did, because he was a decent sort, you know. He simply clutched decency to himself with all the passion of a fierce new love. Of course, to make up for it, Sam had to say yes when he was away from the bank, and so he never said no to anything that concerned Elsa or himself. Aunt Kitty was beyond his yes and no, because she was wealthy. Then one day he fled, and they discovered that hed said yes and not no to himself too often. Aunt Kitty quieted the loss at the bank with her own money, because there was family pride, you know. But you can imagine what that meant to Elsa. Her mother was dead. Either Elsa didnt like Mexico, or Sam thought it best for her to be up here she did visit him, though, occasionally. Anyway, Elsa had to move in with Aunt Kitty and go on listening to Aunt Kitty talking, talking, talking. Poor Elsa! She was twelve then, and managed in a year or two to escape to school in the East. And after that well, there was the baby.' She was seventeen by that time. But who is there who could possibly want to make away with Aunt Kitty if that is what really happened? I asked, moved somewhat by what Huntoon Rogers had said before Margaret came out. Nobody could think of a reply at once, then Dwights chair stirred and he cleared his throat reluctantly. he began, that, of Well, detectives are there is course, why like Hunt Rogers Not detective, Dwight, Rogers interrupted quickly. Ill admit that Ive been drawn into more than my share of affairs of that kind. I prefer to be known, however, for what I am namely, an humble professor of English literature. Sorry, Hunt. I didnt mean anything." No apologies, Dwight; its not What were you goir,r-timportant. say, though? Again I thought I detected a reluctance in Dwight Nichols manner. "Oh Ive thought at times, since Kitty Chatfields death, what embarrassment an unimaginative sleuth Oc- Tf i t 'p kV S' . ;fc 'I $ ,. ? - A . ' i f ? '4 i ,7 , " ? ii ,1 $, v 'it 4. : $ ,?i - & i o r loose today. Im on my own. There motive was an exuberance, an elation in A motive, darling? Margarets her voice. The fact was thrilling to voice held a startled note. her. Yes. You see, that Cabazon Dwight already had explained the Kitty Chatfield and I arrangement. There had been no properly owned it in joint tenancy, with right money she could count on from her of survivorship. It doesnt matter father after he went to Mexico; now how the arrangement came Aunt Kitty had assumed her exabout. But, when Kitty Chatfield penses. But at her death Elsa had : died, it meant about two hundred been disinherited. She gave her the income from thousand dollars to me. Isnt that a motive? the estate for a year from the date Its a reasonable one, to be of her death, Dwight had said, sure, said Rogers. knowing that Elsa ought to save Oh, I had a motive then, too, something out of it, but darn well confident she wouldnt. exclaimed Margaret. Sounds of laughter came from the Of course, dear, said Dwight. house as we mounted the steps and Whats mine is yours. Thats not what I meant, dar- burst in upon the others. I lost, of course, the soft touch of Elsas ling. hand upon my arm and the comfort Whats your motive, Margaret? of her nearness to me, for she flew inquired Rogers. to embrace one of the girls among Jealousy. Jealousy! echoed Dwight. You the crowd of young people making merry in the living room. But not, dont mean? I mean just that. Margarets however, before she had tossed to I was so jealous me over her shoulder the urgent voice was firm. of Kitty Chatfield I could have killed command, Barry, dont go away her! tonight without me. .1 have no doubt that Jimmy the A disturbance from the driveway interrupted our conversation. We Cheese, as Elsa called him that went around to see what it meant, night, was relieved that the departed Aunt Kitty finally had cut loose her niece. An old ladies home, even though it were filled top and old ladies, bottom with was a much easier task for a dignified administrator, almost middle aged, than just Elsa. She had sent him her expensive motor car that morning, and a letter explaining: Youre aware that Aunt Kitty didnt expect me to have a cent left today. So Im not disappointing her. I cant think of keeping anything my dear aunts money has paid for. And I havent, said Elsa from her chair beside the piano, that evening she joined us at Dwight and Margarets. Not a penny or anything her money has given me She stopped in vague alarm. She had not spoken the truth. The process 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 shoulder of her dress. Ill 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 pointing to where the ring had rolled. And,' Margaret, dear, please get me one of your old suits for a working girl. Margaret arrived instantly with a heavy apricot negligee and the working girl suit was searched out within Lovely old cat, said Margaret, the seclusion of Margarets bedbut before we reached the front of room. the house a flivver bleated weakly Huntoon Rogers is a large man, as if impatient at our slow coming. probably six feet tall and with a And there was Elsa climbing out of frame in proportion. He has mild a most amazing contraption. It blue eyes, such as I have never seen looked as if it had been stolen from elsewhere; his ears are prominent, a junk yard. A jagged rent was as is his nose, the latter not to his in the top, a piece of which waved disadvantage. The blond hair is begrotesquely in the light stir of air. ginning to thin on top. He looked The engine had died with a hollow up at me after a few moments and cough as we rounded the comer of spoke so quietly that nobody else the house, and the villain had in the room could hear him. climbed from under the wheel and She hated her Aunt Kitty, didnt was twisting the crank and grunt- she? Bitterly. Theres no doubt of it. ing profanely a$ if to torture it into another try at life. He went on playing. He displayed Pay the gentleman for me, said a remarkable skill. If I had not Elsa to Dwight. ' Its two dollars stood watching the dexterity of his and I havent, it. When the man left hand, Id have thought he was had gone roaring indecently off playing a composition. He down the hill, she explained: What did Aunt Kitty die of? he was such an intense man; I rode asked, glancing up again. An overdose of morphine. with him instead of in the shiny car the other taxi man had. I like His flying fingers executed a long intense people. It was bumpy, but run. Was she an addict? there was moonlight, and I didnt Yes. mind. She shook me warmly by he inquired, Self administered? the hand, murmured Huntoon Rogers name when Margaret intro- finishing the piece with a restful duced him; and then, with her arms chord. The police said yes; the district linked in mine and Dwights most confidingly, we went toward the attorneys office, as you are aware, has doubts. house. But wheres your car, Elsa? asked Dwight. Its a stone rolled away from the I sent it this morning to Jimmy tomb, said Elsa, full of classical the Cheese. She stopped short with allusions, her quiet voice devoid, a burst of laughter conceived in a however, of the theatrical. Its sudden little ecstasy of humor. Tantalus fed at last and Sisyphus Fancy! I never thought of calling at the top of the hill. The dead him that before! And Ive known hand has let go its terrible grip. him for years too. To Mr. James She drew her head back and Chesebro, Dwight, trustee, she said breathed immensely of the moonlit Barry, oh, you cant imagpompously. Freeing her arms she night. ine, even with that trick authors drew in the air before her own beautiful figure a great stomach and imagination of yours, what it means to be free! Free of Aunt Kitty and strutted in the grass. He and I are through with each the centuries of No and Cannot! other now. We dont have to hate Its freedom, Barry, when I thought each other any longer. Were both freedom had forsaken me. (TO BE CONTINUED) glad, of course. Aunt Kitty cuts me tea-and-to- ? . h (! (la (W (la (la (la (la (la (la (la (la (la (la (la Va (la (la (la (la (la a ? (la (la (la (la (1- - (la (la (la (la (W United States have been army The Questions BLACK I C' (la (la (la (la (la (la (1 11 rvv (la (la (la (la (W (1 I3 IJJC (V 1. What river flows through three European capitals? 2. What is a quern? 3. What are the national colors of Mexico? 4. In diplomatic service which is the highest rank, ambassador, minister or consul? 5. Which two countries of South America do not touch Brazil? 6. If you are served pomme de terre in a French restaurant you would be eating what? 7. How many presidents of the The Answers 1. The Danube flows through Vienna, Budapest and Belgrade. 2. A small hand mill for grinding spices. 3. Green, white and red. Ambassador. Ecuador and Chile. Potatoes. 4. 5. 6. 7. Seven Washington, Jackson, W. H. Harrison, Taylor, Grant, Hayes and Garfield. Gift for One Who Reads in Bed Easily Made of Cloth Remnants and Hanger cut down to measure 12 inches from end to end and was placed between the lining and the outside; these being stitched together around the top, as illustrated. NOTE This bedside bag Is but one of useful things to make for the home, that are illustrated with detailed directions in BOOK 8 of the series prepared for readers. The price of BOOK 8 Is IS cents. Send your order to: thirty-tw- o MRS. 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