December 1931
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
547
THE RETURN„/ [The characters to date are as .follows: Marian Lillibell Linton—who lost her faith in God at the sudden death of both parents and the failure of her father’s investments. Nelson Barrington—who also failed Marian in her crisis. Bob Linton — Marian’s brother, who was involved in a piece of wrongdoing and fled. Counsin Rhetta—who had planned to give Mairian a home but was called to take care of her nephew’s children for a time. Joyce Goodwinr—a college friend o f Marian, who extended a timely invitation for Marian to visit her. Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin — Joyce’s parents, who led Marian back to her faith in God. Mr. and Mrs. Torrington—a young Christian couple who found pleasure in providing the right kind o f social gatherings for young people. Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe—cousins of Mrs. Torrington, who took Marian into their home as maid and, to avoid embarrassment “What on earth was the matter with that woman?” exploded the man of the house. “Henry, I don’t know. I never saw any one act so strangely.” “Let us go to her room and see if there is anything there that gives us a clue.” They stood a minute later looking into their prettily furnished guest room. The bed was just as she had left it, but in the middle of the room were her bags, evidently packed and strapped ready to leave. Not an article of her personal belongings remained lying about the room. “Humph! It looks as if she is going to leave us for good.” But she was supposed to be here for three nights. should Marian enter any social circles, called her Lilli Bell and treated her as a deaf-mute before strangers. Dick Burling—who preempted Marian for the evening at one o f Mrs. Torrington’s socials. Dorothy Hepburn—who vainly s o u g h t Dick’s attentions. Mrs. Hepburn—-who was bent on further ing her daughter’s cause by bringing trouble upon Marian. " Rex Avery—a young brother of Mrs. Wolfe, who discovered his sister’s deaf-mute maid talking. Mrs. Rabinock—a convention delegate as signed to Mrs. Wolfe’s home.] What could have happened to make her so different?” Mrs. Wolfe’s tone was worried. “Well, it doesn’t matter,” he stormed. “We didn’t do anything to make her act funny. Let her go, it is good riddance. I must go now. I ’ll be home early this evening.” “Did you see Mrs. Rabinock this morning, Lilli?” Mrs. Wolfe asked a min ute later. “Yes, while you were eating break fast, I ran up to my room and met her just leaving her room. She smiled and said som eth ing abou t tak ing her morning.dip even if it was late. C hapter IX Why, what is the matter?’5 As nearly as she could remember it, Mrs. Wolfe re counted the conversation and the actions of the guest that had so puzzled them. It was that morning that Sue Rabinock met her old friend and classmate, Mrs. Winfield Willoughby Hepburn, and they went out to lunch together. Mrs. Rabinock’s face still wore a troubled, worried look. I had the strangest thing happen this morning,” she began when they were seated. “I have been staying for two nights at a lovely home, with Mrs. Henry Warner Wolfe, in Farside Heights. I have been wearing con stantly a small diamond necklace that one of my friends brought from Vienna or Paris, I forgot which, but it was my favorite piece of jewelry. This morning I am sure I saw it lying on the dresser as I was preparing for my bath. I remember distinctly meeting Mrs. Wolfe’s maid in the hall just outside my door, and When I returned, the neck lace was gone.” “You don’t say! Why, how terrible!” And then, with voice and face tense with excitement, Mrs. Hepburn told of her own suspicions of the Wolfe’s maid. “Why, she may be robbing the Wolfes right along, or spying out things for an accomplice. Maybe they are planning to rob the house and murder the whole family. I think you ought to report the matter to the police at once. If you don’t, I will.” J V L rs . R abinock , the next visitor to the Wolfe home, was a plump little woman, af fable and merry. She was rather stunningly dressed and wore a surprising number of rings, as well as a small diamond necklace of odd design and of unusual beauty. At the first morning’s breakfast, they were all charmed and entertained by her brilliant and witty conversation and her kindly and pleasing personality. She left the house almost immediately afterward, and they did not see her again until the next morning. Mrs. Wolfe had given her a key, as there was to be a social affair that would probably keep her until late. She tele phoned at dinner time that she would be very late and that the family were not to wait breakfast for her. Marian, going upstairs while the family were at break fast the next morning, met her in the hall, but it was not until some time later that she came down with her hat and coat on. “Good morning,” greeted the hostess cheerily. “I hope you slept well. We will have your breakfast served in a few minutes.” “I—I don’t think I will stay for breakfast,” murmured the guest. She appeared to be very nervous and under constraint. Her eyes shifted about the room as though searching for something. Mrs. Wolfe glanced . at her husband questioningly. What had come over the woman? Evidently something was troubling her, and she-seemed greatly embarrassed. It was a relief when she said a hasty good-by and was gone.
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