 Chapter 16 of Natalie Page. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Natalie Page by Catherine Hadland-Taylor. Chapter 16. All sorts of bruises. SK suggested the trap and I think he did not really believe that my bracelet was ever stolen, but thought that I imagined it was because I was at that time half sick from nervous upset, which was not extraordinary, considering everything. Put a mousetrap in the box, he suggested, and then when you hear it shoot, you can get up and chase Madame Jumel's ghost with a hairbrush or a shoe tree. I said he was a silly thing and ignored the chase suggestion, but on the way home, I stopped at a small grocery and bought a mousetrap. And SK, laughing quite a little, paid for it. Then he asked me how he was to settle with the landlord that month. Mothered a good deal about extravagant women and went on to say that we could easily locate the thief by the mousetrap, which would be clamped on his first finger. And he said if the thief is sufficiently prominent, he will start a style, and everyone will be wearing them. Your aunt will be saying, my dear, I've mislaid my mousetrap, and I'm late now. Where ever can it be? And we both laughed for half a block. It sounds silly, but SK imitates beautifully. And I could just see Aunt Penelope running all over, hunting her mousetrap, while Jane stood around holding her furs. And Ito and Amy helped hunt, and everyone got excited and hot, for that's the way she does lose things and find them. SK and I had been walking in the first snowfall, which was a feathery dry affair that clung and didn't melt. It was really too cold to snow at all. And the gray sky that was full of it had a hard time letting it down to earth through the intense dry cold that made a wall. Your cheeks stung and grew pink, and the flakes caught in your hair and on your clothes. SK said that snow was becoming to me, and that I should always wear it. And I replied that I would be charmed to in July. Then he said, my dear, you're growing up. Your answers are becoming too quick and clever for a 16-year-old chit. I won't have it. 17, I responded. Yes, when, and I told him that morning at four or thereabouts for that was the hour at which I was presented to society, according to Mrs. Bradley, who has often told me what Chloe told her of the event. My mother was very pleased with me then, and happy that my father had a daughter. When someone said, your eyes, Nelly, and your beautiful shade of hair, she whispered that, please, Carter, for he seems to like that sort. You're a mean girl, said SK, and he meant it. I apologize. Would have had a party for you, he went on. The mention in the social column would have read Mr. Samuel Kempwood entertained for Ms. Natalie Page at his apartment, and so on. Then, among those present were Ms. Natalie Page and Mr. Kempwood. The refreshments were charming, and Mr. Kempwood almost managed to save one slice of the cake for his consumption, but the onslaught of, I said he was unkind, then we walked in hearty silence for another half-plot. Look here, he said after a side look at me, pretty soon in two or three years, you'll be coming out. Then think of the young idiots squiffed down on their upper lips, who will fall for you. Nat, I predicted and suppose you fell for one of them. Well, whatever, I asked, I enjoyed it because I thought he was thinking how he'd miss our friendship. It gave me a new queer feeling, which I suppose was power. Won't have it, said SK irritably. Really, I said, well, I won't. He said again, and he frowned and didn't look at me. I melted, I care for him awfully, and I can't tease him long for the sentence that always goes with the slipper and spanks is awfully true when I hurt SK. I slipped my arm through his and squeezed it tight against me. Don't you know, I said that I'll never like anyone as well as I do you, SK do. And I went on to tell him of all he'd done for me, how he saved me from running away from the firing line and made the firing line a very pleasant place in spots and how much is teaching me history and helping me with my studies had helped. And how greatly his different interests had developed me and I ended with, if I ever do marry, you can pick out my husband. He fumbled from my hand, closed his around at heart, shook it and said without funny little tight laugh, it's a go. And then he was most awfully jolly and I sort of excited way. I didn't understand it then, but I liked him even more than usual and so enjoyed the afternoon. We had come from the Jewmount mansion where we had seen General Washington, but as we pretended we did, I often went to the Jewmount mansion and SK sometimes went with me. I was glad for he helped to make it and the people who had lived in it real to me. I had a paper to write about New York at the time of the fire, its life, development and so on. And of course Washington came in it and SK's imagination made it get the freshman prize. I felt mean about taking it although he said what I had put in was original and not from him. When I told our English teacher that Mr. Kemp would have helped me by talking facts to me, Amy was in the room and that night she said you always try to be truthful, don't you? I said yes without looking at her. Then she looked at the ring SK had given me which I wear all the time, Aunt Penelope, said I could keep it because he was so much older. Do you think men like truthful girls? Amy asked next. Her voice was small. I said I thought they did. How do they know you're not truthful? She asked next. How do you know there's a drop of ink and a glass of water? I counter questioned. Do you think it shows? She asked slowly. I said I felt sure that it did. How? She asked by the loss of faith and those to whom you have lied. I answered. I hated to hurt her but I thought she deserved it and it was the truth. I'd lost faith in her and after that occurrence about the violets I could not trust her. It isn't the first little lie. I said that counts so much. By that you only hurt yourself but it's the ripples from it that make the cruelness. You see you take the trust out of the hearts of your friends and for a substitute you give four words. What are those? Ask Amy fingering the fringe that hung from her over skirt. You can't trust her. I said. Then Amy picked up a copy of Vogue and pretended to look at it and I turned the pages of the London Sporting and Dramatic News which is not so entirely given to lingerie in portraits of Lady Something. I like pictures of dogs because I know their points and I found a double page of setters which I studied with interest. I think Amy tried to say that she was sorry about her lies but I think she couldn't. And I'm glad she didn't for I would have had to tell her that the only way to right a wrong is to try to undo it and she wasn't ready to do that at that time. That took a long thinking to accomplish and a place in the center of the stage. But to go back to the afternoon of Maus Traps and General Washington study as I said, we visited the mansion in Washington's headquarters. It was most truly that day. Do you smell something good as gay as we stood in the hall? I shook my head, stupid nosed girl. He said a huge cut of beef is roasting before the basement fireplace. It is on a spit and it is being turned now and again by of that hot cook. There's chatter below stairs. For this night, President Washington is to give a large dinner party in the house which was once Roger Morris and is now but a farmhouse is to hold American celebrities. Listen to the clatter on the stairs. It is a waiter in a blue satin coat and white satin breeches. He is carrying wine glasses because those were the good old days before. Anybody thought Logan Berry was good for anything but painting the barn. Listen, said SK, I did. And then in a loud voice he said by King George's beaten rascals, I've got the serviettes. And I seem to see the waiter say this and hear him clatter toward a high dresser which held the linens. SK told me about how they set the table and he told me the date of this dinner which was July 10, 1790. And then I had a list of the guests who were President Washington's cabinet and ladies, John and Abigail Adams, the Vice President and his wife, Thomas Jefferson, the Secretary of State and Renox, Secretary of War and his wife and Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury and his wife. I'm glad to see Alexander Hamilton, said SK, squinting in the room. We pretended of course that their ghosts were back dining for he has done so much for America. He was who saw that the United States must have a central power and central government. My, how the individual states did disagree after the war, how their trade restrictions did hamper and hurt the bigger trades and the good of the country. He was who got up the Constitution and Mr. Jefferson, who sits across the table of the Declaration of Independence. Pretty nice things, both of them, you know. I agreed. President Washington is speaking, said SK. He has just told the servant to be lighter on his heavy sole shoes, this in an aside. And then as a good host quickly diverts attention by mentioning a recollection. Do you think he says that in September, 1776, I've watched from this point, the burning of the city of New York. It was an awesome and most fearful sight. He pauses, I think he gives thanks that all the horrors of war are past. And how many houses were burned if it pleases you to make reply to a foolish woman's question. This from Mrs. Knox. President Washington says that it pleases him most mightily to answer whatsoever question Mrs. Knox may ask him and replies that 1,000 houses went in that terrible affair and that that member was a fourth of the city's mansions. So vast a place, says Mrs. Hamilton. I am well now distracted when I wander the crowded streets thinking I may never return from whence I started. We are growing, says Thomas Jefferson. Our United States population is nearing 3,900,000 and New York now boasts high of its last census which states that 33,000 lived within its confines. I laughed and SK smiled to think of it, I said and then asked what New York's population is now. And SK told me that in 1910, it was 4,766,000 and that New York state held over nine million souls. Then SK told me that Hamilton was buried in Trinity Churchyard and that Trinity Church was caught in the big fire and rebuilt twice since but that St. Paul's had been saved. He told me he'd take me to both places someday. Then we started home and I set my trap and got into writing things for I had begun in the latter part of September to write each day. I wondered about wearing my bracelet and decided not to. I remember I put it in the bottom drawer of my bureau under a clean petticoat and I crept the sheen chemise then I started out. A crowd from school ride together and with us as a man who cares for us. I don't like going bare-paced and so I was almost relieved when my mount bolted and got ahead of them. The day was lowering and all the sort I liked not I imagine a general favorite for the drive was almost empty. My horse did not throw me but a man who pretended to stop in pulled and cruelly made him dance and mock hero without pretending to help me pulled me off my saddle. I was thrown on the ground until I was dizzy and then I felt hands on my arms and heard someone whisper where's the bracelet? The crowd drew near at that moment the man accepted thanks and before I could speak or detain him was gone. Stop him I shouted stop him but the policeman who had drawn near soothed me with he don't want no thanks little lady. He just wanted to do you a good turn and Lord knows what would have happened if he hadn't stepped out. As he gone I asked miserably sure said the officer smiling. I suppose he thought I was a sentimental young person and wanted to call him my hero. I didn't I wanted to have him jailed shaking a good deal. I remounted the road on. I decided I would finish my ride although I was bruised and frightened. It was no ghost that had pulled me from that horse. I felt the impression of his fingers for hours afterward and they were strong and real. I went to bed soon after dinner that night and at about nine Jane brought me in a huge box all covered with white tissue and white pink ribbons. It looked very fasted and I could hardly wait to get it open and when I did well it was just like SK that is all I can say about it and enough. It was a birthday cake with tiny pink candles all over it and even a box of matches lying by the side ready to do the work. Under this was a card and it held SK's wishes written in a dear way which made me very happy. I couldn't cut that birthday cake alone and eat a piece I wouldn't have enjoyed it and so in spite of Evelyn's coolness to me I went to her room where she was confined with the cold. Evelyn I said it's my birthday and SK sent me a cake. I would love bringing it over here and eating it with you if you wouldn't mind. She didn't speak I felt sorry for her since Mr. Apthorpe stopped coming. She has not looked happy although she has not been so sharp or complained so much. Suddenly I heard myself say I'm sorry I said all that I had no business too. You are all being very kind to me and giving me so much that I should never think of your lax. Oh that's all right she said and then in a lower voice you know it was true. I shook my head not lately I added to the shake and then I again asked if I might bring over the cake and she said yes. So I went back got into a heavier bathrobe lit all the candles and triumphantly carried it to Evelyn's room. Then I thought of Uncle Archie found he was home and we sent an invitation to him. He came sauntering in after several moments looked at the cake grunted huh where'd you get it and sat down and I never up to that time had such a good time in that apartment. That began then. We laughed and Uncle Archie talked and it was all as jolly and cozy as could be. I curled up on a window seat near the radiator. Uncle Archie sat down before Evelyn's dressing table and actually pretended to do his hair. He hasn't any and Evelyn sat up in bed and laughed between blowing her nose and we laughed and talked in a cake and looked at the flickering pink tapers atop my cake. After a half hour of this Uncle Archie stood up father Evelyn said without little hesitation and some embarrassment. I wish you'd come again like this. I promise never to ask you for a thing in this room. He put his big hand on her head and said when I can I like you to ask me. It's only when I can that it hurts. And before me I saw those two people run up the curtains that hid their souls and begin to understand each other. Evelyn looked up at him and suddenly she held the back of his fat, pudgy hand against her cheek. Father she said I hope that perhaps we can come to be pretty good friends. He grunted and left but I knew he felt a lot and didn't dare to do more than grunt. And after he went Evelyn blew her nose very hard then she lay back and silently we watched the little flames of the candles. People are such fools. She whispered, I nodded, still staring at the points of light. I had looked at them so long that they almost hypnotized me. It was really difficult to look away. She spoke abruptly, next and loud, you are right, she said, in what you said that day. I've been fretful and cross and my standards have been wrong and all the wrongness of them is hurting me now. Then with gaps and funny interludes of the old critical little part of Evelyn she told me that Herbert Apthorpe didn't like her anymore that he had been hurt by her not being willing to marry him because she considered him poor and that he hadn't answered a note in which she said she was sorry. I saw him, she ended last week with Charlotte Brush, I suppose. Then her voice drived off as she stared up at the ceiling. Her arms were above her head and her hair spread all over the pillow in heavy chestnut wades. He must care, I said, getting up and coming over to sit on the bed. Why? She asked because you are so beautiful. I answered and your spirit would be too if you'd let it. You were dear when you want to be. Do you think so? She asked with interest as she turned her eyes on me. I was afraid she would be annoyed but she wasn't. Why lately I said no one could have been more lovely. Not to you, she answered. I said I didn't blame her that I had been presuming and I knew it for I had. You helped me, she said and then she began to cry. I'm going to do my best. She whimpered between really big sobs and be nice at home anyway but I wish I had had sense enough to measure when. She didn't finish but I knew what she meant. I put my arms around her and she sat up and let her head rest on my shoulder. You'll get this cold. She whispered after her sobs, had a little quieted. I said I didn't care and then she kissed me and I knew we were friends for always. We're sort of friends that are tight enough to scrap and stand disagree and love. After a little while more I left because we both began to be embarrassed from the manner in which we had revealed what was way inside. I went to bed thinking of families and how often they neglect opportunities to know and love each other. I thought of Uncle Archie and Evelyn and then I thought how lucky I had been forever since I was three. Uncle Frank had loved me ever so hard, sometimes very absently to be sure but I always knew he cared and I think he knew I did. Before I slept he always came in to sit on the edge of my bed and once and again he'd forget why and then he'd say ho-hum, what am I here for? And I'd say good night Uncle Frank then he'd say ho-hum to be sure and add good night. Then from the doorway he would say ho-hum, I love you and I would whisper at most always very sleepily, I love you and I drifted away on that. When I was tiny Chloe began to send me to sleep with the remembrance that I loved someone and someone loved me and I did it to Uncle Frank when I came and that started it. Perhaps some people might have thought it funny to hear a bent shoulder man with a long beard say ho-hum I love you but it was never funny to me. I will always see him outlined against the light from the hall and silhouetted in that way in my door and when I do I hear his voice telling a sleepy little child that she was loved and I know it was not funny it was beautiful. End of chapter 16, chapter 17 of Natalie Page. This is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Natalie Page by Catherine Haveland Taylor, chapter 17, who caught the mouse trap. The night after my birthday party at which the hostess was clothed in pink pajamas and a coral bathrobe and one of her guests were a craped sheen nightd I slept badly. In the first place I was bruised and sore from my fall and in the second frankly frightened. I kept imagining that I heard things as you do when the lights are out and the world is still outside. My furniture creaked as the damp night air crept in. A board snapped and my radiator clanked. I used my flashlight about 208 times and then ashamed of myself laid back and decided I would go to sleep. You're not being silly. And I did go to sleep. When I woke it was quieter than ever and very still but I knew by the goose flesh hot and cold joked sensation I had that I'd been awakened by something foreign perhaps a noise that should not have been and that I was not alone. I lay shaking but with my eyes closed and then I felt the light flash across my face. I stirred side as you do when half awakened term. Then I heard footsteps near my bureau and gently sliding noise which was the drawer being pulled out. I stealthily reached for my night light but it had been set off the table on the floor put out of my reed and my flashlight was gone. I did some quick thinking. In fact, I don't know how I got all the reasoning I did in those few minutes but somehow it went in. I reasoned that if I called I would be hurt before anyone could reach me and that I had no chance to get up and get out of the room alive. And I decided that if the bracelet was the only thing I wanted I would not be hurt if I kept quiet. So I adopted the policy of possums and lots of the little grapevine insects that look so much like twigs or a bit of leaf and laid still. I heard the trap snap and a muttered word that is absolutely unquotable. And I had to smile even then and I was fearfully frightened almost sick from fright to be truthful. Then I turned again and siden and I heard the man woman or whatever it was grow quiet. Absolutely heard he, she or it hold its breath in suspense and the silence of the moment was louder than lots of noises. It simply throbbed. Then there was a soft noise and I saw a dark form in front of the window. Heard a scratch of a heel going over the sill and something scratch. I coughed, there was a quick movement from the window and I knew I was alone. It was a cloudy night with the air still threatening snow and the court is dusky even in daytime. So I could not even get an outline of the intruder which I've wanted and so greatly needed. I heard a scuffle outside as if someone were sliding down against bricks and then there was silence, thriving silence once more which seemed loud as it so often does at night. I lay very still for several moments. Perhaps it was many minutes. I don't know if I was sick and shaking and I imagine half fainting because the bed seemed to be floating. Even then I was ashamed of myself for my lack of courage. When I at last got my nerve back I sat up wiped my forehead which was wet mopped off my cold damp palms and felt around for my night light. I found it about a yard from my bed and after I set it back I lit it and looked around nothing was disturbed but I found that the trap was gone. Well I thought I have you now and I stood looking down at the empty box and smiling but I missed it. Something was disturbed. A piece of wood was torn from the window sill. The great piece which had been started in a jag by the holes made that night of the wrappings and on the remaining splinters of this was a piece of cloth quite evidently torn from clothing. If I were only a Sherlock I thought as I held it I didn't dream it would ever really help but I put great faith in the scar that a trap would leave. After that I went over to sleep with Amy. She moved as I crawled in by her but didn't wake I was glad that I didn't disturb her for she had been to a party the night before which lasted longer than my birthday affair. In the morning Amy got up without waking me and at 10 aunt came in to sit down in the bed didn't sleep very well. She asked dying me quite anxiously I thought. I said I hadn't very hum she mused and then well we'll have a nice breakfast in bed after you've been in the tub. Use those bath salts the doctor gave you dear very relaxing and I'll hunt something for you to read. She was very nice to me and I did so appreciate it. Evelyn wanted you to go driving with her she's decided to go out today but I wouldn't let her call you got up and had breakfast with her father this morning for some reason. Usually we don't see her before 10 on Sundays but the young mind is a riddle. Do you think you can go to sleep again after breakfast? I said I'd try. I'll send Jane in to get you a fresh night dress and to help you bathe sit on as she stood up and then she patted my cheek murmured something of an engagement and laughs. When Jane came in I nearly fainted she had her right hand done up and she told me she had run and I speak into her second finger and that it hurt something fierce. I thought she was pretty cool about it but for that time I was sure it was Jane. Didn't know the cook let me touch the refrigerator I said as I kicked off my slippers and stepped in the tub. Jane who was picking up my nightie explained that the cook had been out and that she was entertaining a gentleman friend who had brought a bottle of beer with him and that sounded great to me. It isn't just the thing one would pick out for an offering to love and besides it is not as common as it once was. He's lucky to have it I said and then do you like ice and beer? I didn't know people usually put it in that. Jane grew pink and she looked at me appealingly. I couldn't soften for I knew I must get whatever clues I could. Some people like sit in. She said lamely and then went to get me a fresh night dress and a negligee of Amy's that Aunt Penelope had told her to let me wear. She brushed my hair and tied it with great bows of wide pink ribbon and then tucked me into bed. Jane I said, haven't I always been good to you? I've tried to be. You always have been missed. She answered, you have a pleasant way with ya and Eda and me is always saying how different you are from Miss Evelyn and never mind about that. I said, but if you ever wanted anything very much I hope you would come to me and ask for it or tell me about it instead of borrowing whatever you liked for special occasions. That's what Ma always called it. She said just borrowing. She took in elegant washes and we kids wore them clothes regular. We certainly missed Mal when she died. Jane wiped her eyes and although I felt sorry for her I did want to smile. She mixed things up. Did you like the bracelet? I asked both and simply want to wear it occasionally, borrow it. What bracelet? She asked but she colored hotly. I gave up. I tried to give her a chance but I saw she wasn't ready to surrender without war. After a few more moments of puttering and making me comfortable she left and I lay thinking how it could be solved. Then Eda came in with a wicker breakfast tray which stood under the legs and on this was a pink china breakfast set which was cheerful and easy to eat from. Eto had put a rose between the folds of my napkin and I was pleased. That is so pretty Eto. I said I wasn't very hungry but I am now and then I stopped. My eyes glued to his hand, the right one which was bandaged. I gasped. You've hurt yourself. I asked. Eto grinned widely. Everybody have bandage. He remarked pleasantly. Jane have ice pick and finger. I sharpened for a benefit of steak and make mistakes in direction. Everybody stabbed to bleed. I giggled a little. It seemed so funny. Who else? I asked and despair. Miss Uvlin shut hand in motor door. It smashed open. He went on. Mr. Kemp went new. Servant hurt hand to cut it on bottle. That is fall to floor and break all this hospital. I said I was sorry for them but started laughing. Eto joined me and just at that moment Evelyn appeared. Have you seen Amy? She asked. I said I hadn't had to go to the doctors the minute she got up. Evelyn explained she didn't say a word to anybody about it but was awfully game. It seemed she got up to close a window last night. The wind was frightful you know and she was half asleep. I imagined and fumbled it before the window came down on her fingers and she was really hurt. Wet your hand to Eto and she began to laugh with us. But no one had the full appreciation of the joke that I had. It really was funny although it did disturb me. I began to believe it was Jane but I looked at the sample of cloth that had caught on my window sill and wondered why Jane would wear that sort of a suited night and why she would go out on the balcony when she might have left more easily by my door. For while the balcony does lead past Amy's room to the pantry window, my door is the first on the hall which belongs to the sleeping part of the apartment and to lead by that would mean running no risks of encountering anyone's wakefulness on return. I remembered the scratching noise and wondered whether I had heard it, what it meant but I wasn't to know for some time after that. The next week was quiet but the week after words fail. There should be one word that implies hair standing on end, cold chills, shaking knees, goose flesh and a heart going about 27,000 hard wax through the minute. I could use that word, I really could and I need it. End of chapter 17, chapter 18 of Natalie Page. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org. Natalie Page by Catherine Haviland Taylor. Chapter 18, Heart Affairs. About that time things began to stir for Christmas. Packages came in at all hours and it was understood that they weren't even to be felt and that only the person to whom they were addressed could open them. The weatherman was evidently in a good humor for he predicted dry, fair weather with light south winds and of course almost the greatest blizzard that New York had ever known appeared to make the landscape match those snow scene Christmas cards with shiny silver on them that drops off and we had a splendid time. The shops were simply gorgeous with their red and green decorations and people carried packages, looked tired but smiled. It was the greatest fun in the world to go out on Saturday mornings and scrunch through the snow to the subway and then delve into the crowds who laughed and pushed and hurried with such good nature. Amy and I could hardly wait for school to close and in school notes simply flew all of them containing confidences about the furs the writer hoped to get or the ostrich feather fan. She knew she was going to get having seen the long package on the hall table. Aunt Penelope told us to make notes of what we wanted and it was what we did the Saturday afternoon. I met Mr. Apthorp, Evelyn who had not been awfully well since she had that bad cold sat in the living room with Amy and me and we were enjoying being together. I'm going to ask for a Russian sable coat, said Amy who was sucking the point of her pencil and looking down at the pad she held because I think it is a duty to look for the best. Some poet I've forgotten who said, it's your wagon to a star. Evelyn said that one would be a falling star but perhaps you could persuade father that I need one. Amy went on, you have a tactful way and seem to be very chummy with him lately. Oh baby said Evelyn, baby is the family pet name for Amy. You should be ashamed of yourself. Why don't you give father a Christmas present of not asking for the impossible and not whining for what he can't give you. Amy's face was a study in amazement but you, she said, have reformed, said Evelyn and then she went back to her lists. She was working hard figuring out how little she dared give people who had entertained her. Amy looked at her then she scribbled a note and passed it to me pretending it was a list of girls in our school that we were going to ask to tea during the holidays. She is mourning for Herbert, she had written, I nodded and felt ever so sorry for Evelyn. She had been very kind and unnatural forever so long and it was plain that something had made a big dent in her feelings. She was ashamed of the way she had let sharpness grow on her, you could see that and I think she was going through a lot in realizing how unpleasant she had often been and trying not to be so anymore. In a way, any reform is an operation for yourself cut out something that was wrong and didn't belong in you and even a skilled surgeon hurt you when he cuts off anything that shouldn't grow on you. I know for I had a wart removed, my simile is somewhat mixed but I still shine most brilliantly in athletics. I became right forward and captain of our basketball team after one game but that is beside the point. After we had written our lists and had had tea and discussed where the trees should be set, I said I wanted to go walking and asked if anyone else did and after they refused, I started out. It was lots of fun to walk because a little thought had made a sheet of ice over everything and going was a difficult matter. You had to slide on every little incline and I stood in our apartment house door for quite a while watching those two strolled and slipped. They would mince along and then zip. They'd go for perhaps five feet and end up by doing a bunny hug to a tree that stands by the alleyway gate and as I stepped forth by two, slid and into Mr. Herbert Apthorpe. He tried to steady me, almost lost his balance and then we laughed. I'm Evelyn's cousin. I said as I walked by him, I made his direction mine. I suppose you've forgotten me. He said he hadn't to be polite but I knew he had. We were speaking of you today. I went on, Evelyn hasn't been well and she said she wished you would come up. I stole a side look at him and saw that his face looked stiff and that his eyes were steadily fixed ahead. He didn't look encouraging. I am flattered, he said and the way he said it made the snow banks warm little nesting places in comparison. I knew he wasn't at all flattered but just said so to let me know he wasn't. I tried a little more finesse and it didn't work and then I dropped tact which has never done a thing for me but make me trip and relied on crude truth. Didn't you like Evelyn? I asked, I was sure he did or I wouldn't have said what I then did. Very charming girl, he said stiffly. Then why do you hurt her? I asked, he looked at me after that. What he asked, I repeated my question and he echoed it in a vacant way only putting I in place of you. You do, I assured him. Then he spoke quickly to the point and in a way that left no doubt as to how he felt she turned me off. He said because I hadn't enough money left me a no doubt about how she felt and how much she valued what I offered her. That didn't seem to count. The fact that my salary is modest did and after that he walked so fast that I almost had to run to keep up with him. If she were sick, I said, wouldn't you stick to her, help her, do anything you could for her? I think he considered me an interfering chit as I was and hated me but he couldn't very well strangle me and I could walk quite as fast as he. So he replied crisply, coolly as before but replied, since it interests you, he answered certainly. Then I explained that she was sick. I said she lived in a place where money was thought most important and among people who attached a false value to it and I said that that had made her sick mentally and that he should give her a chance and help her through that quite as he would through anything that made her body as miserable. He stopped and faced me. She is changing. I said she is sorry and she has cried before me about you. He caught his breath and then said, oh my dear but he wasn't speaking to me. I knew but to Evelyn, she's at home. I went on and alone or will be since you can order Amy off and she will love seeing you. She has cared so much that I think that has kept her from getting over this cold. I know it. He didn't speak but gripped my hand and then he turned and hurried back toward the place where we had met and I knew where he went from there before I got home and Amy told me about it. I went on feeling sort of silly the whole thing had taken lots of nerve and if I hadn't cared so much for Evelyn I never would have done it. I hate explaining what I think about the values of love and things. It makes me feel wishy washy so I was glad to be diverted by meeting SK. He was in his car and leaned out and told me to get off the grass. Can't you see the signs? He asked as I turned to see where the loud order came from. Get in here. He ordered next and then his chauffeur who grins and seems more human than other people's chauffeurs helped me across the snow bank and I was by SK. He asked me if I'd minded the heat and how many vanity cases I expected Santa to give me and then he said he had got me a present and that I'd better sit tight or he'd give it to the janitor. I looked at his chauffeur's uniform and asked him where he got his servant's duds. Roger's Pete he replied why? You were too young to know SK. I replied all of them. I had no sense to all of them he answered. I'd found out one more thing. How did your man cut himself? I asked next. On a piece of Baron Stiegel glass. Worst luck SK answered. I felt sorry for that glass was manufactured by Baron Stiegel way back ages ago. He lived in Southeastern Pennsylvania and the glass is interesting from the historic as well as artistic viewpoint. SK has lots of things of that sort that are interesting as well as beautiful. If you go riding, we won't go home. Said SK next, I said I would go and we turned toward Riverside Drive which was lovelier than ever with the snow wading down the boughs of the trees and the banks of the Hudson glittering like white mountains across the way. Little tots many of whom wore red coats made bright spots in the snow and their nurses added the black lines that have to be to make a perfect poster. I loved it and so did SK. Huge motors with beautiful women in them rolled softly with and by us and some of the windows of the houses and apartments were beginning to be bright with early lights. We require it because it made you feel that way. I love this, I whispered. My dear SK answered, I do too. Then he looked down at me and I was warmed by the feeling that he liked me a great deal. He'd begun even at that time to be quite as much a part of my life as Uncle Frank who in his funny forgetting way has been both mother and father to me ever since I can remember. Next summer said SK, I'm going to Southampton when your aunt does and I shall return to town when she does. Uncle Archie may be jealous, I answered smiling. SK started to speak then stopped, rubbed his hands together, looked away from me and drowned. I looked at the beautiful houses, the crowds and the passing cars, the little stretch of park, the wonderful apartments and the well-dressed people made a picture, a picture of happiest, smoothest living New York. It was pleasant to look on. Suppose suggested SK, we go in up here and have tea. I imagine you've had it once, but I also suppose that hasn't dimmed your bright young appetite. I giggled for it hadn't and after we had driven some distance more, we turned in a big house that is set high on a lot of ground where you can get very good tea and wonderful things to eat between drinks. We had scones and marmalade and little cakes that were about as big as big candies and which like those came in cases. I ate quite a lot. SK telephoned on about where I was and we lingered. I grew confidential after I ate and told SK about Evelyn and Mr. Apthorpe. I hoped he would think it was all right and he did. He said he wished someone would cook tour, his affairs like that and something honestly hurt under my left ribs. Yours I said before I knew that I was going to speak. Think I'm too old, he asked in a queer, tight way. I said it wasn't that and then I told the truth. I suppose I said I am a pig but I would feel awfully if you got married. I don't know how I could stand it. SK, I'm awfully used to you and your friendship. He leaned across the table covered my hand with his squeezed it in a way that reassured me and said I promise I won't get married until you say I can. How about that? You know I am to choose your husband so you're having a little say is only fair. I laughed where I'd forgotten about that. Then SK said I beg pardon that I seem to have borrowed your hand. Perhaps you want it tomorrow after which he folded my fingers up and laid my hand in my lap. I love his nonsense. We had a good time and he told me about Madame Jumel's marriage. The talk had run in that direction and that I suppose started it. It seemed that she was a great flirt and I think Mr. Jumel did not think she would make a good wife for although he made love to her as SK said he did not ask her to marry him. But on one occasion when Steven Jumel returned to his home after a little absence he found that Eliza Bowen was ill and the doctor said dying. He went to her bedside where the lady bestowed him to marry her. SK didn't tell me why she wanted to be married so much but I suppose she wanted Mrs. on her tombstone as we say in Queensburg anyway. Mr. Jumel was so touched that the priest then and there married them. And the next day Eliza Bowen, Jumel arose from her bed and went driving in high state. She wasn't really sick at all. What do you think of that? SK asked. I said I didn't think it was entirely upright. Right my dear, said SK reaching for a buttered scone. And then he went on to tell me how she had robbed Steven Jumel who during his absence abroad had given her power to administer his affairs. And how when he came back he found himself a poor old man and a dependent. I said it was sad and I hated Madame Jumel's being buried by one of the most beautiful drives in all America and having a splendid monument. We had seen it before we had tea while her husband's grave is in one corner of a little churchyard neglected and worn and so hurt by time that only Steven has left to remind one of a man that once was famous. Heavy trucks lumber that spot and very poor people hurried past while their children half clothed and hungry scream over their games which must be played on the curb. SK I said I wish it might have been different. He bought that plot SK answered when he married Eliza Bowen. He would not understand that she had done things that made good people distrust her. You know, hard as it may seem that you usually give yourself the dose that makes the pain. I knew that and said so. Then I asked why people such great people should have come to visit a woman who was not all that she should have been. SK said they didn't and that the tales of her entertaining were largely fictitious meaning made up. He said that during the time the boner parts were in America she was abroad so that plainly she did not entertain them. And in other cases dates proved the same tale. Abroad he said it was different. That broken French from an American was quaint while bad English from an American was common and made the speaker so. And he said that some of her little girl phrases which were not nice they clung to her and with what people knew of her here spoiled her chances for social success. He said her own niece who lived with her said she never entertained the boner parts and was much alone but she kept a table with glass and bits of silver on it. Spread she said as it had been for the dinner she gave to Joseph Bonaparte. Then SK asked me if I ever read great expectations and told me of an old woman in there whose lover had failed to appear at the wedding and how she wore her wedding clothes for years after and let the wedding feast day on the table untouched. Rodin's call from the cake said SK that's right on all the China cobwebs hung from the candlesticks and she waited. And I think Dickens visited America before he wrote this. Do you suppose he saw Madame Jumel's table and got his idea there? I said I didn't know but it interested me a lot. Then because it was getting late we had to start off. I didn't want to go because I'd had a good time with SK and hated to end it. I always do have a good time when I'm with them and I always hate to have to stop. End of chapter 18. Chapter 19 of Natalie Page. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Natalie Page by Catherine Hablin-Taylor. Chapter 19, Two Surprises. The week before Christmas was packed tight with hurry, tired bones, fun, and for me a short worry and two surprises, one of which made my disquiet. And the week after held in digestion, more tired bones, more fun and one surprise. And they each held a mysterious happening which no one could explain. The second of these being so serious that my stories of hearing things at night were at last taken seriously. Even the lappings which they had all heard had not made them see that anything out of the ordinary was really happening until the after Christmas affair convinced them. Feeling this, I had given up speaking of what occurred to bother me. It was like telling of the huge fish you honestly really almost landed and then having the listener say, oh yes, but I suppose he got away and smile. It shut you up. It was that way with my affairs. After Evelyn began to say how many brigands slept on the balcony last night, Natalie, or I heard strange noises at five this morning, it might have been the milkman. Then Natalie seems to think it was a thug who came in to steal her flashlight. Perhaps I would say it was gone and then everyone would laugh for, of course, they thought I had mislated and naturally thought so since a real thief is really satisfied with one flashlight costing a dollar and 40 cents just as I decided to stop assuring then that something was happening. It seemed futile to keep up. They wouldn't believe me. Evelyn stopped teasing me. I think Dr. Vance is saying I wasn't especially well made that and I was glad to have it ceased. It wasn't a joke to me. As I said the week before Christmas was a hurried time. Aunt Evelyn and Amy gave lots of people presents and I helped them wrap them up. It was great fun. The red and green tissues, the beautiful ribbons and the cunning stickers made things so pretty that you never thought of the bother. But I really acknowledged that I tired of the flavor of the stickers, which was assertive and clung. I believe any stationery house would make a fortune if they manufactured Christmas seals that tasted as nice as they look. I said so to SK one afternoon a few days before Christmas, he'd come up and we were in the library. Amy was playing the vicarola between going to the hall to inspect the packages which kept arriving so steadily. Evelyn was writing thank you notes for things she hadn't received. She said she always did because it saved the bother after Christmas when parties were scheduled for almost every minute and that it was quite simple since all you had to do was to say, your beautiful gift means so much to me and I shall always treasure it. But Amy told me one year Aunt Penelope mailed these before Evelyn knew it and a lot of the thanked people hadn't come across. Naturally it was awkward and took a great deal of talent to explain but to go back to that afternoon, SK said, that's one thing you haven't tried, glue. And I knew he meant putting it in the bracelet box. He smiled at me in a teasing way after that for even he didn't take me seriously then. No, I answered but I will or something better for leaving a trail. It's a good idea. I was really taken with it and decided upon red paint as I tied up a set of bridge scores that Aunt Penelope was going to send to a cousin of hers who lives miles from nowhere on a Western farm. And I attacked a lot of nut bowls and crackers that Evelyn had got at a bargain from a gift shop. Amy tried to crack up peanut with the crackers and even it's fragile shell was not dented but Evelyn explained that it was the thought that counted. Personally, I decided that the kind of thoughts one would have on using those things would count against you if Heaven's gatekeeper were listening. But I didn't say so. Got 16 of those last Christmas at SK. I had planned to give you one. I gasped and I really did it well. My dear, he said, growing quite excited. You know I was joking. I should love having you give me one. I'm simply a stupid fool that's all. And then I laughed and Evelyn who had stopped writing to listen did too far. She had helped me get my present for SK. Come here you humbug, he ordered I came. He reached up and pulled me down on the lounge deciding very hard, what will I do to her miss Evelyn? He asked as he frowned down on me. Evelyn said I was hopeless and that she thought nothing short of arsenic and a large dose of that would have any effect. Oh well, we'll let her live a small while longer. He temporized and I slipped my hand in his because I'm always a little sorry when I tease him although it is fun to do. I tell you he went on, we'll have bread and butter and that only with tea for a month. Then I won't come down and have tea with you I replied for I can get that kind of a handout here. So you slang a young thing. I'm in love for my food, he asked. He looked quizzical but I thought he wondered. And of course I told him I loved him for himself. Evelyn was amused which was silly for her because it was nothing to be flippant about. Shall I leave the room? She asked in an attempt to be funny and then for the first time I realized that SK was not so much older than I after all and that perhaps he as well as other people might not understand. He had seemed like Uncle Frank or Bradley dude like someone who belonged to me and to whom I belonged. I had adopted him into the family side of my heart because he had been so good to me. And of course for the same reason I loved him but I wondered then whether my saying so sounded silly and it made me grow pink and look down. But SK helped me out as he always does know he answered and I felt that he was looking at me in a very kind way. That is not the kind of love that means. Hers has a sort of small girl open air baseball flavor that is attractive but not right for a flirtation. When she learns the other sort you may leave the room and quickly please. Evelyn laughed and went down scribbling. I could see that her remark had been idle and that she thought SK's was too but I looked up. SK was looking down at me and I felt frightened and very happy. Not quite hot but a little chilly. I began right then to know that I did care a great deal for SK and that he cared for me. I didn't need the thing he blurted out in the whisper to be sure for his eyes had said it. What sounded as if it were shaken from him was my dearest. And it came as a question and after he bit his lips grew slowly red and looked away. I knew he was sorry he had spoken and I was sorry too for it frightening because I did not know what to do. I got up and began to wrap up Christmas. Things in SK did not watch me as he usually does but looked into the fire. Thought you were going to punish her said Evelyn in that level voice that people use when they're writing hard for playing the piano softly. Decided it was futile. He answered and I saw that he was upset too for he spoke stiffly. And then after refusing to making a light mention of an engagement he left and I went on wrapping up packages that my hands shook. Why didn't you see him out Evelyn asked? I replied that Ito was in the hall and that I didn't see any reason for doing so. Then Amy came in and said that Herbert was coming and that meant that she and I had to get out forever since that afternoon that I bumped into him while attempting to walk. He and Evelyn have been discussing in a great reason how the deep crooks and the right proportion for a rent and where to live for it. They got engaged that day. Amy told me about it. She said it was dramatic and exceedingly interesting but that they ordered all her off just when she most wanted to stay. It seemed he bolted in the room and two feet from Evelyn paused. Amy said he was absolutely wise and spoken a deep check and voice. She really described it beautifully. He said, you have been ill. And she said, oh Herbert and began to cry. Then she stretched a hand out to him and he put his arms around her and said, my darling. And Amy who had been sitting in a hideback to Italian chair naturally got up to look over and then Evelyn ordered her off. She whispered, please Amy go. And Amy felt that she had to but she was annoyed at Evelyn for she wasn't bothering anyone. And she said it was better than movies or the theater for she knew the principal characters and she said that they were acting wonderfully. But to go back after I left them that afternoon I went to my room. Amy had to do some telephoning and stopped outside of the library door to do it. She said she liked that telephone better but I think she did it because it annoys Evelyn. Of course, the most loving sisters occasionally positively work to think of ways of annoying one another. It belongs to them just as much as does taking each other's clothes or borrowing hats. In my room I sat down by the window and I did not like the lights. I wanted to think and in the half light it seemed easier for the sort of reverie in which I was going to indulge for if you can understand it I was frightened. I loved SK, I knew that but I didn't want to plan a house as Evelyn and Herbert were and to have people go off to leave us alone to do it. Sometimes Herbert kisses Evelyn when they are alone and I'm quite sure of it for I heard Alvin and I said don't dear someone is coming as I came in one day and Amy assured me that that was part of being engaged. I can't quite explain because I'm stupid about making words carry my thoughts but at that moment I very much wanted to be back in Queensborough playing ball, walking or writing. I wanted really to say come out and play catch net and not to be worried about things that loomed ahead things that I was afraid must come before I was ready for them. But curiously with all that fear I had not happy but sad and lovely but hurting sensation that neither Bradley dear nor Uncle Frank had ever had. I think my mother would have understood it and I know she could have helped me. I tried to shut my eyes and pretend she could talk to me but it only left me a little choked and wanting her fearfully. I think perhaps if she had been there that I would have put my head down on her shoulder and crying. Although I never do cry and that she would have said my dear little girl my baby which is strange since I cannot remember a word of hers and possibly she never did call me my dear little girl or my baby. After a while Amy came wrestling into show me a new frock and made a good deal of noise and turned on all the lights which helped me and then I got dressed for the evening and we heard Uncle Archie come in. I'm going to take Evelyn's place within Amy said piously as she looked at her back in a shovel glass. Evelyn has absorbed all his attention recently but I'm going to cut her out. I think he's a dear. I agreed with her and I think it looks so sweet to see a father and daughter devotedly attached to that Amy. Again, I agreed and loudly for I thought Uncle Archie would be pleased by her paying attention as he was by Evelyn's doing so and I knew that Amy had to limelight herself before she enjoyed doing anything kind. She had to occupy the center of the stage. She's built that way. That is really the reason she confessed about the violence but that comes later. There were guests at dinner and Ethos spilled soup but otherwise it was uneventful. And after what Amy went out to a little party to which I had not been asked Evelyn went out with Mr. Athlore aunt and her guests played cards in the living room and I went to mine again to write letters. I thought writing to Uncle Frank would help me but it didn't. I knew that if I had wanted advice he probably would tell me how long a grasshopper who's this mate before marriage instead of talking to me about mine. I love him but his soul is steeped in bugs. The person I wanted to ask him from was SK but doing so seemed odd under the circumstances. And I now heard a funny noise. I got up and turned off my light and waited after a few moments. I heard a scrape on the side of the building and I turned on the electric suddenly at that something slid down against the outside wall. I heard it, whatever it was had slipped down the side of the house scraping all the way. I again turned out the lights and going through the window peered out and the dim light of the court scene was difficult but I did manage to make out a black mass on SK's balcony and then I heard a window slide up and this disappeared. And without picking up a scarf or a wrap I heard out ran down the balcony until I reached the fire escapes which are in front of the main hall windows and are always well illuminated by them. I ran down these and it seemed like old times where the going was not steady. Of course, the rear was just arrived the building was high and the steps steep. I realized that New York had tamed me for by the time I reached SK's window I was glad to stop. Here I kicked the hole through the window pane knocked out the glass and entered SK's man was evident in the washing up things where he came toward me with a towel and a glass in one hand panting a little. I told him I'd seen a man go in the office window. SK has that sort of office in the room that corresponds to mine in his apartment. Debson immediately put down the glass told me to be quiet, settled his shoulders and began the hunt. He was brave, but I could see that he was frightened for he was white. He was spread a direction for me to the library and there I went. I tipped through quite naturally and SK was surprised to see me. Not he gasped and then he stopped for a gesture for silence just as hard as I could to make a long story short, there was no one. And I suppose both of those men thought I was crazy and SK had to get a new glass for that window I kicked in, but he was nice about that. I did see someone come in here. I said, Layman, did you hear anything? Debson SK asked, Debson shook his head. Not since Maggie left at least so he qualified. She went to the balcony to shake a desk to I think so, although I am not sure. That was probably it said SK, he dismissed Debson and then said, sit down that and I did. Then he told me that he thought it was fine and brave of me and that he appreciated it. Although my going without a wrap or even and my Paul revering it down or fire escape was a dangerous practice for night or any other time for that matter. And I promised him I wouldn't do it again unless there was a fire. In this case, the neck and you stay a little while I want to talk to you. I said I could and he asked me to come over and sit by him on a wide Devon port which stands before his big fireplace. I'm sorry he said that you know it because I didn't mean to tell you. Oh, that's all right. I answered, although it wasn't, I was frightened and happy all over again. My heart was pumping fearfully. No, he answered, it is not all right. It is all wrong. You are 17 and two or three good time. Three years ahead of you must be ahead of you. I wouldn't for the world disturb your peace make you think of anything that would turn you older. I love having you, frankly, friendly treating me as a chump. I'm afraid I've spoiled things. I said he hadn't, although he really had, but you were disturbed by the way I looked at you. He went on what I said, I didn't mean to not get shot out. I was weak at that moment. But I promise I won't be again. I assure you, you needn't be worried about it. He ended stiffly. I won't never bother you with it. In fact, now it would be as unsatisfactory to me as it would be to you. That was a very cool statement for SK. I didn't understand it and it hurt. And that and the feeling that perhaps our tight friendship was gone made me ache. Then I looked at him and saw that he felt badly too. He smiled as our eyes met but not happily. I had planned this very differently. He said we were going to be better friends all the time, you know? And then one day when you were several years older and a little tired of a world that held only parties and fluffy rocks, I would tell you that I had liked you ever since you were a school-growing youngster. And I liked to dream that you would find that I had come to mean something in your heart and that in the next case Dr. Brooklyn said not, I shouldn't be allowed loose. I said, oh yes, you should SK. And I found the greatest cure for our heartache. And that is finding someone you love suffering from the same thing. I immediately quite forgot mine and thought of SK's. And I did something then that sounds silly but which wasn't and didn't seem so at the time. I moved closer to SK and rested my cheek against his coat sleeve. He fumbled for my hand and when he found it I squeezed his heart. He said I was a ripping little pal and his voice was not awfully steady. And so I think he really thought so. And in that position where I did not have to meet his eyes and yet where I was strengthened by his touch for it did strengthen me. I told him how I felt. SK dear, I whispered, I want some more baseball and not to have to think of love and such stuff. I know, dear, he answered. And then I said this afternoon, I felt as I did before I did my first really high dive. Wasn't that silly for there's nothing to be frightened about? Not a thing, dear, he replied. And then I told him about wanting my mother and the garden and how it made me feel. And then I felt that way when I began to realize that afternoon how much I cared for him. And then he set up suddenly and I did too. Care, he echoed, oh my dear child. I said, of course, a clock somewhere struck 10 and I stood up, you're only 17, said SK and somewhat wistfully. I knew why he said it. He was afraid my feeling for him was what Amy would call a case. But it wasn't, I knew that even then. True, I agreed and smiled up at him. He drew a long breath starting to speak, stop quickly. And went to hunt a Mandarin coat for me to wear going upstairs since the halls were drafty. He helped me into it, made me go over and looked at myself in the long grass, call me miss to sing and then said the last word about what had happened. That is the last word about it for a good while. Piles again, he asked. I put out my hand and we shook hard. Truly, I answered and then we went upward. Why couldn't we drive down Fifth Avenue tomorrow afternoon? He asked as we paused in our outer hall. The excitement would be interesting to look at with everything at its height. I said, I thought it would be fine. We might go in to Mary Elizabeth. He went on, I'll telephone her to beat up some extra waffle batter. That is if you think you can go. He was teasing me and it was just like old times. I didn't feel at all as I had before I went down and it was silly of me to feel that way anyway for he is as gay. And I should have known that he wouldn't or couldn't hurt me. I went to sleep, slept well and was in trouble by noises. When I got up the next morning Aunt Penelope said, thank heaven you look as if you felt well. I'll need your help. This will be an awful day. It always is. There are so many things to do that I don't know where to start. Keto, was it stuck the bell? Yes it was. What was it? And then she stopped and I looked up and gave a little cry for Uncle Frank stood in the doorway peering over his glasses at me and blinking. Oh, he said, couldn't keep away, couldn't keep away. Oh, I didn't speak, I only hugged him. End of chapter 19, chapter 20 of Natalie Page. This is a Libra Vox recording. All Libra Vox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libra Vox.org. Natalie Page by Catherine Haviland-Taylor. Chapter 20, Christmas Fun. Aunt Penelope was right. The day before Christmas was an awful day for hurry. Everyone simply flew and almost every six seconds, Amy would come in to tell of someone. She'd forgotten to remember. Eta would appear to say that someone was wanted by someone at the telethon and Evelyn would say another pot of poinsettias and ferns. Where shall I tell Jane to put it? There were lots of roses too and they made the whole place fragrant and beautiful. In the hall, there were millions of packages, unopened cards on a tray and messenger boys waiting for someone to sign their books. I loved it all and having uncle Frank there made it perfect. He kept wandering around, saying ho-hum and hunting his spectacles which had all gradually climbed up on his forehead. And he gave the touch of home that I had needed. It is curious, but I have found that you never realize how very much you have missed anyone until you have them near again and don't miss them. Lunch was a hurried affair, but at this meal Aunt Penelope became coherent long enough to suggest that I ask Mr. Campuit up for the celebration and opening of presents which was to be at eight o'clock after an early dinner. I said I would love to and I immediately telephoned him about it and asked if he would thank uncle Frank that afternoon too. He said he would be charmed to do so and at five we started for a drive. Going was great fun for there was so much excitement. All the shop windows were blazing and people seemed happy. They always do at Christmas time. I think even mean spirits warm up and stop refrigerating anything they touch after December 23rd. But unfortunately they begin being mean again about January 3rd or 4th. I've always had the feeling that perhaps the Christmas bills made their pessimism return for bills are depressing to even a constitutionally happy individual. But to get on we had tea and I made mine a little heavy because I really hadn't had much lunch and altogether enjoyed myself. Uncle Frank and SK got along beautifully and did most of the talking. Because I was hungry, I occupied myself with eating and listening. Doubtless that young person will take you to the jumel mansion said SK with a nod toward me and a smile for me. Uncle Frank nodded, Audubon live near here. He said after he stood up and slipped out of his coat. Wonderful man, oh hum. Yes, agreed SK and then slowly smiled and as if he couldn't help it. I do too for Uncle Frank had a string of tinsel tied around his collar and under his chin in a great bow. I pulled it off and showed it to him and he explained he had been helping Evelyn and Herbert trimmed the tree before we started out and Amy had given him that foreign hand. Then he put his hand in his pocket and brought out a bit of a broken glass ball and then very carefully the rest. Dearest I said you will cut yourself but he didn't. Must have slipped it in there thinking it was my handkerchief. He explained that hung my handkerchief on the tree. SK said it was easy to do those things and then he smiled at me and I answered it for I could see that he liked Uncle Frank and understood him. After we finished eating SK bought me a tiny Santa Claus about an inch long and pinned it on my lapel and I bought him one and pinned it on his and Uncle Frank stood looking on and blinking. Then we pushed through the crowd and started on and being out was gorgeous. I hated going in but of course we had to for dinner was to be served very promptly at seven. The attitude of suspense in the apartment was thrilling. The curtains that framed the living room doors were drawn across them and from behind them someone was tacking something up. Greens trailed over pictures of holly bloomed in jardiniers. Corners were lit by all sorts of flowers and the air smelled like a hot house. Aunt Penelope looking very tired but happy met me and told me to make haste about dressing and I went toward my room. Here I prepared to bathe first getting out all the prettiest things I owned and laying them on the bed for I did want to look very gay. I decided on my pink dress for it is the most beautiful one I have and because I thought it would look nice with a bouquet of tiny roses which I found waiting me on my return. SK had sent them and they were dear. Then I began to slip from my clothes and as I unclasped my bracelet I decided I had been silly about the whole affair and that I probably imagined a good deal of it for nothing but the noise against the wall and the black form on SK's balcony had occurred to disquiet me during that last week. I opened the drawer to put the bracelet away while I bathe for I am careful of where I leave it and when I opened its box I found a note. This was written on Brown Butcher's paper and it was a little hard to make out. It said Natalie Page is ordered to leave her bracelet under a stone which lies beneath the first bush to the right of the side entrance of the Jamel mansion. This must be done at five o'clock on December 28th without fail. If she comes alone and tells no one, no harm will come to her but if she speaks of this, misfortune will follow quickly and in the worst form. All will be well if instructions are absolutely obeyed and if not great suffering and unhappiness are bound to occur. Be wise, take warning. After I read it, I put it down, then I read it again as I sat on the edge of my bed, my knees shook and then I wondered how the person who warned me had got it in my bracelet box without anyone's knowing it and then I stood up, clasped the bracelet on because I thought my arm was the safest place to leave it and went to get my bat. I hurried because Aunt doesn't like people's being late. I decided I would forget the affair for this one evening if I could and begin to consider what I would do the next day. When I was dressed and I will acknowledge I looked as nice as I can, I hurried toward the hall where I found SK. Aunt had asked him to come up to dinner. Amy, who was Fox, strutting with Herbert. Evelyn, who was sorting packages and uncle who was helping her take them to the living room. I sat down on a long chest which came from Holland and is beautifully carved and SK sat down beside me. I told him I love the baby roses and he said that I looked very nice. Then he said he wished he could Fox strut with me and I told him I liked sitting out with him better. I'm very sorry that he feels badly about being lame. I think that if people who have deformities would realize that people like the deformities because of them, they would get on better. Just the sight of SK's cane always makes me feel well because it belongs to him. Awkwardly I told him this and he said I've made him a Christmas present of a new viewpoint which he liked and which would help him. Then he looked at me carefully and said, small girl, what's worrying you? I replied that nothing was. He called me a cheerful pervericator and then he to announce dinner and we went in. It was positively the nicest meal I ever ate in Uncle Archie's dining room and the food had nothing to do with it seeming so but the little Santas which stood at each place and the verses on the place cards and the laughter and talk did. Then we got up, Uncle Archie disappeared to light the candles on the tree. We were signaled and filed in. It was a pretty tree and opening things was the greatest fun and we had jokes among the gifts too. Everyone gave Uncle Frank worsted spiders, paper mache bugs or crepe paper butterflies. Evelyn had got a doll's coat for Amy made of fur and they gave me a toy, pistol and a trap. Uncle Archie's joke was a bottle of seven Sutherland sisters hair tonic and a switch because he has hardly any hair. There were lots of others too and a great many beautiful things. Quite every one talked at once, paper rustle and grew to great heaps on the floor. Ribbons tangled around your ankles as you step and it was just the way Christmas always is. I had some lovely things given me. Aunt gave me a tiny string of corals because I'm dark and she thought they would look well on me. And Uncle Archie a book that he had selected himself which made me very happy. Evelyn and Amy gave me charming things to wear, handkerchiefs, silk under things and so on and Uncle Frank a book on the development of bills in the wild fowl of South Africa. Very interesting subject he said, peering at me over his glasses. One pair was actually on his nose plate 72 ho hum. Let me see it. I passed it to him and he went off in a corner near the Victoria and read it all the evening. Amy ran that all the time and without loud needle. I think it bothered Uncle Frank although he didn't seem to realize it but every once and again he would shake his head as you do when you get water in your ears while swimming. S.K. Grin that this a good deal and very tenderly at me. You little peach he said and I loved it. Although I had to protest that I did enjoy having that book and that it would mean a lot to me. S.K. had heard me thank Uncle and I had been extremely exuberant because Amy had drawn near looked at it and said, oh in a kind of an is that all manner. And I was afraid Uncle Frank might be heard. Of course you liked it said S.K. You would not I swear but he stopped and I don't know what he was going to swear. He only shook his head covered my hand with his and squeezed it. It's all right for a pal to tell you he likes you. Isn't it? He asked. I said it was and that he'd better than art brought up a tiny package and it was marked from S.K. And I was surprised for I had supposed the tiny roses were my present from him. I explained this as I unwrapped it. And when I did well I couldn't speak. I just held it and looked until tears made things waiver. And then I began to do my champion quick swallowing trick. Everyone stood around and asked to look at it and I left them but I didn't let go of it and Aunt Penelope be frankly wiped her eyes. Just like her dear. She said and your good friend S.K. had it painted from a tiny photograph. I had come here frank and see this miniature of Nellie. Mr. Kemp would had it made for Natalie. It's on ivory and is simply exquisite. Then Aunt turned to me and said you haven't thanked him do. She did it very gently for I think she saw how greatly I cared for it. Yes she has said S.K. But I hadn't and I didn't know how ever to do it. Something I suppose a very full heart made me turn to S.K. slip my arm around his neck, pull his face down and kiss him. I hope I said that you won't mind for that is the only way I know how to show you. I can't say it. And then I asked Aunt if that was all right and she said it was and blew her nose and cried a little more and Evelyn put her arm around me and I allowed Uncle Frank to take possession of the miniature and he stood holding that in one hand and my book on duckbills in the other and blinking awfully hard. Come said Amy loudly this won't do everyone is threatening weeps and it's Christmas Eve. So I put the miniature on the middle of a big table in its little case and joined whatever it went on but I went back to the table very often to look at it. Amy was right about it. Everyone had been upset even S.K. which was queer for he didn't know my mother but when I looked at him after I'd thanked him I saw that his eyes too were full of tears and he didn't talk very much for the rest of the evening but he was so kind to me that I knew he knew I was grateful even if I couldn't say so properly and that my lack of words was not what was making him quiet. End of chapter 20. Chapter 21 of Natalie Page. This is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org. Natalie Page by Catherine Haberman Taylor. Chapter 21 S.K. forces my confidence. It was a lovely Christmas Eve and a lovely Christmas. Everyone was so happy that it seemed like a new family. Even Uncle Archie talked the day after Christmas S.K. made me tell him about the letter. I never knew he could be so fun and for the first and last time I felt the difference in our ages. Something is worrying you he said and if you don't tell me I shall go to your aunt and tell her to investigate and if I know that lady she can. S.K. I begged please but he was not softened come on that no foolishness he said and almost stonely something worrying you about the bracelet. I nodded and then somehow the story came out. I gave him the letter with a little bit of cloth that had been left on my windowsill and the notes that were signed E.J. He felt badly that I had born yet alone and called himself all sorts of names for taking it so lightly. Dear child he said why didn't you show me these things before you said I was foolish that there were no such things as ghosts. I answered there aren't someone's playing a joke on you and it will stop I will see that it is stopped and the person shall be punished. I told him his chin stuck out two inches farther when he was fierce but he didn't laugh at my joke and you weren't imagining when you told me that someone had felt for your bracelet when you fell from your horse on Riverside Drive. I said of course not and quite indignantly then I began to see that they had all thought I was hysterical and silly and made up these tales on the creakings of floors and lost flashlights. I haven't told them anything recently. I said because they laughed but the trap did catch someone SK. I did not miss lay it afterward. I heard it snap and that was the night this piece of cloth was drawn from his or her clothes and sometimes the bracelet comes back. It slides in how he asked I told him why didn't you tell them here he questioned. I said it had annoyed aunt and that she had asked me not to think of it since it was clearly impossible and a half dream of mine and not to mention it to Amy. And you didn't believe me either. I said not that I blame you. It did sound crazy but there simply wasn't anyone to tell. I shall never forgive myself for this. He said never that I should fail you. Then he shook his shoulders round and went on with there must be some explanation and we will have it. That bracelet walking him by itself is clearly impossible and it's leaving the same way too. But the ghost that mademoiselle Nitsky heard I questioned. My dear he said there were three quarreling families under one roof. Don't you think it natural that one if he could disturb the other would try to do so? Why will chase or the other one could have thought of a thousand ways to make wrappings and so frightened the payories out of their wits and if he or the other one frightened them so that they would leave their old place so much to the good. One last family to disagree with more room. Can't you see it? We will say that one of the chase men went out and threw a ball against the wall of the payories room. Then say he crept inside took a heavy cane on which he tied a pad so that the seating wouldn't be marked, stepped up on a chair and whanged that. Then Mr. Perry leaps from his chair and flight. Mr. Chase goes on pounding as a smile gradually widens on his face. Someone above speaks. The chase individual can hear the voice since the doors are open. And although it was a mansion for that day it is not a great house for today. The sounds easily carry and especially since it was night and a calm September one in which hardly a leaf stirred. He pounced three times and up above three quaking people think a question is answered and that a ghost walks and thumps. Why there would be countless ways for him to make noises that would frighten the payories into hysteria. And as for Madame Jumel quote in white coming to anyone's bedside while anyone can wear a long white robe and faces cannot be seen in the dark. You think that that was it? I asked the good deal relieved. I certainly do not. He replied usually things of that sort have the most simple explanations and this matter must have to. Not tonight you are going to bring that bracelet down to me. I said, oh no, or let me take it now. He went on, I have a wall safe, you know and I imagine it won't be bothered there. I protested for several minutes but at length I had to give in. I'll bring it down to you later. I temporized, honestly he said. I said, honestly, and I meant to you since SK wanted me to. Then because he'd come in for only a second after the matinee, Amy uncle Frank and I had gone with him and had a beautiful time. He went and we sat down before the living room fire and talk at six, the bell rang and Eto admitted that man to whom I have talked on the diner. He made a great deal of noise in the hall and I heard him tell Eto that the little lady had told him to look her up. And then he asked Eto if I wasn't some looker and added that the apartment was a spiffy roost and I began to worry because I knew Aunt would not like him. I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to hurt his feelings and I didn't want to annoy her. Eto showed him in and he settled before the fire who talked a great deal and in a carrying tone while Amy put her chin higher and higher in the air and uncle looked over his glasses. Then Aunt came in, talked to Mr. Bilkins for such was his name and told him that she was sorry. I must be excused, but that I was going out. And so she stood up after that and he did too. And then he took possession of him and he was shunted out. I felt sorry for him, sorry for myself and for Aunt Penelope for it. She felt that I had disgraced her. I knew that her standards were wrong when she thought that loud voices and too much sign made a person impossible. That is that they would be wrong if the person's spirit was splendid and only the trimmings were off. But I did not know about this man's spirit. I only knew that I had asked him to my aunt's house before I knew much about the world's race of doing things and that it was not wise or sensible to do. I said I was very sorry, but she couldn't get over it. And Eto had to bring her smelling salts in a fan although the room was not over warm. Some Tony joint, she kept muttering between sniffs of her salts which was a quotation from Mr. Bilkins. Then she asked me never, never, never to do such a thing again. And I said I wouldn't. After which I went to my room for the atmosphere was not congenial. I noticed Uncle Frank as I left the room he was deep in that book he had given me. And I ended him and I wished I could forget myself through bugs or anything. Someone I don't know who said collect something it doesn't matter what. And I think that someone was thinking of the forgetting possibilities which come through a hobby for the happiest person has moments when he needs something to make him forget unhappiness. In my room I considered the bracelet a fair and decided I could not risk SK's being hurt. But when Aunt and the rest are put out with me I realized how much I depend on him. I've wondered what I would do if he were hurt or killed whom I would turn to if I had done something impossible and needed cheering. I studied it a long time and then I went down to SK my soul he said put a long face the bracelet leads us to wear. Oh SK I answered I don't want to give it to you. Then he said what nonsense? Just at that moment his man told him that someone wanted to speak with him at the telephone he excused himself. And I had a chance to think it did not seem to me that I could let him run that risk. I opened the case looked down at the bracelet and considered it. Then I heard SK coming back quickly moved snapped the case shut tied it with the ribbon and said here my voice was not usual. So she thinks I'm going to be killed. As she asked SK don't I beg and then I stood up for it was getting late and I was still in day things and Amy and I were to go to see a friend after dinner. I saw him put it in his wall safe. She cans asked him please not to bother to come up with me and ran off. I found Amy using my dressing table because it has a better life than hers. Mother's frightfully shocked. She said I think that man upset her fearfully Natalie. I think it was the strangest thing for you to do. Her voice failed off and she turned to see how her hair looked at the back. I didn't know at that time I began but she cut me short. She wonders how many more people you talk to. She went on and she hopes that this Mr. Stilkins for whatever his name was isn't a sample of them all. How did you start it anyway? I knew that cooks did that sort of thing but I never knew how they began it. I saw that she was feeling disagreeable and attributed it to too much candy but this reason did not diminish my wish to thump her. This was strong but I tried to hold my temper and explain. Don't bother. She said right in the middle of my words I'm not really interested and then she began to hum and during this left the room I did hate her. I think that is the meanest feminine trick of all that humming after you've made the other person mad. If I had my way I'd make better criminal offense. I slammed things a little after she left which is my way of showing temper and then I forgot it all. Bronco Frank asked if he might come in. He wanted to read out loud a few pages about how the agrit makes her nest and takes care of her young. After he finished he said and every time a woman wears them she leaves a mother bird dead and little one starving. How hum don't think it's worth it. I said I didn't either I never had and I have wondered how women could but I think perhaps it is because they don't imagine. A great many troubles are made that way simply because someone fails to realize how the other person or agrit will feel from something that they themselves say or wear. Amy was bad tempered all evening. She called me her country cousin in public which wasn't polite and told how I had got tangled up in that silver at first. She brought it in nicely and people laughed but I did not think it was kind and she solved all the way going home and only spoke when we were a block from the door. Some people liked admiration and work for it. She said I myself don't and then I realized that it was not too much candy but jealousy and that even the calling of this man who did not attract me had impressed Amy. I don't care for it. I answered shortly. Oh no, she agreed and too loudly. I realized you don't. I gave up and resorted to silence. No one can do anything with Amy when she feels that way and we parted with cool good nights. The next morning something happened that was funny. Another person came to ask for me. Amy heard Ito admit him and told it Ito to let him wait in the hall. So many strange people coming Ito. She said loudly I heard this afterward. I think it would be wise just to let him wait in the hall. Then I was called and I faced Willie Jepsen. Hello, Nat. He said loudly I am going to Columbia starting this term wouldn't let your uncle tell you. How are you? I said I was well. You're looking at he asserted and I could see that he was impressed with my clothes. Then we went into the library and I could see that Amy liked Willie's looks but evidently he did not like hers. Have you met before? I asked for Amy was smiling so widely that I thought they had. No answer Willie your cousin told the Jap to let me wait in the hall. And so I heard her voice but we have not met. Willie was insulted by that. He told me so afterward. Now he said all the instincts about Southern gentlemen were outraged in me by that order. I have a son of Colonel Jepsen of Queensborough, Virginia. I'm not used to waiting in halls. Willie is quite a little dignity when he wants to use it. And like all Southern men puts out his chest a tiny bit when he speaks of the fact that he is a Southerner. To be just Amy did not understand how frightful he thought it was but in our town anyone but a nigger is asked in and warmly welcomed. Even Mr. Bilkens would have stopped for supper with any one of our first families. We are built that way and the North is not that is all. Amy smiled at Willie and asked him to come over and sit with her beside the fire. He complied rather strictly. I've heard of you. She said now that he's told me so many things about how you two played around together. And that seemed funny because she never would listen when I started but I didn't correct her. Willie said, indeed, Miss James but you could tell it was just something to say. Then the bell rang and Ethel appeared to give me a message. Mr. Kempel would it seem to ask if I would come down immediately. The matter was urgent. I excused myself from wondering, hurried to ask his rooms. I thought it was strange that he hadn't gone to business, strange that he had sent for me instead of coming up. He himself admitted me and his face was where he did not smile. Now he said, I have bad news. The bracelet is gone. Come in. This is the way that things were found this morning. I followed him and looked. The door of the wall safe was open and papers were screened across the floor. Near a window was the box of yellow satin which had always held my bracelet. This was wide open. The lid torn from the back and emptied. I could hardly speak but I clutched escays on and whispered, you were not hurt. No, my dear, but he answered. I could see that the bracelet lost bothered him. Sit down. I said, I want to talk. He did and I settled to. SK, I began. I want to tell you something. I know where the bracelet is. He leaned forward and I told him. End of chapter 21, chapter 22 of Natalie Page. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Natalie Page by Catherine Haveland-Taylor. Chapter 22, detective work. It was on my arm when I rolled up my sleeve. SK gasped. I'll give up. He said, there is something supernatural about it. No, I replied trying to quote from him. There's always some logical and sane explanation of things of this sort. You see, I put it there. He said, you little devil. And then he smiled unwillingly. Think you're funny, don't you? He continued. I said, I hoped so, for I was trying to be. And then I told him why I had deceived him about Mr. Bilkins and how, if he were not around, there would be no one to smooth things if they were rough. And I added that I couldn't possibly spare him. That anxiety would have kept me awake all that night. And that I was sorry I did. You're forgiven, he answered. I liked the story, especially the last part. But what gets me is the fact that I put off seeing a detective until this morning when last night might have got the chat. SK, I said loudly, I beg you not to get one because that note said that if I told I'd be hurt, if you have the slightest regard for my feelings, you will do nothing and let events care for themselves. In fact, I forbid you're doing so. And it is after all my matter. I ended this coolly and as if I meant it, then I stood up, brought my hand across my forehead and said, I've got to get out in the fresh air. Can't we motor? He said we could. And he was very baffled and upset by my manner, which was not natural. You're upset by this. He said as he buttoned my coat for me and I simply won't have it. You shan't be made nervous and jumpy. And I, you will not do anything. I asked you not to. I presume I questioned turning to him, but not he protested. SK, I said if you do, it will end our friendship, that is all. He said, well, I'll be darned and followed me out. SK's man was in the hall dusting some old brasses that SK had picked up in the little hill towns of Italy. And I was not surprised. SK was annoyed for he likes the work of his establishment to go on when no one is around. In the outer hall, I paused. I said, I wanted a drink and we went in again. Debson wasn't in the hall and I wouldn't let SK bring. I'll go to the kitchen. I said, and as he protested, I ran out. Eto was there talking to Debson. I was not surprised at that either. Then I went back and we went driving. I didn't mean to speak that way, but I had to. I explained after we started, you see your man was listening. I found Eto in the kitchen and both Debson and Eto wear duds that come from Roger's Peak. And last week I went in there and matched the sample and it came from one of their suits. It was quite easy to match for it as a purple cast and the weave is unusually tight. Eto said, SK, possibly I replied, but I don't believe it. You engage this man just after I was so annoyed and troubled by it being followed. And when I saw the blind man so often, that ceased and someone began to creep in my room, get in somehow at night. I will never forgive myself, said SK, through set teeth. Don't worry, it's over. I answered, all we have to do now is to arrange to bag him or Ben. And that ought to be simple. If I go in with you when we return and tell you where I am going to hide tonight, we'll catch him, she or them, I know it. SK thought it was a good idea, but we stopped to see a man who was noted for solving crimes and finding who did them in his office. We made all plans and then we started on. Better have lunch with me, said SK. And then for the first time I remembered Willie. SK was not pleased to hear that he had come. He acted quite peevish and I was surprised. Why does he come here? He asked lots of good Southern colleges. All you people are always talking about the supremacy of the self and then you lop off and leave it. But if I hadn't, I put in that. He said, sure, please, quite different. Don't be silly now. How old is this young pup? I told him and I suppose very handsome. He questioned further, I admitted it. And has already asked you to marry him. Should be locked up, like to thrash him. Why SK, I protested. I don't think you're nice. I'm very fond of Willie. And for two blocks, we didn't say a word. Can't you see he explained after that long silence that no man has any right to bother a youngster or ask her to marry him. No matter how much he wants to until she's past the doll's stage. Here you are having tea in the nursery and he butts in where angels were bare their heads and says you can have him if I recollect correctly. Have him my heavens. I was mad. I've not played dolls for years and I never had tea in the nursery because we hadn't any. I always ate with Uncle Frank. I maintained a frigid silence. And then I may talk deliberately manufactured the article on coldly impersonal lines while SK glared ahead and answered in monosyllables. I believe that there is a tablet on the wall of one of the buildings of Columbia which asserts that the battle of Harlem Heights was enacted on that spot. I said, I'd like to see it. No doubt said SK. I didn't know what he meant by that but he meant something for his tone was full of implications. Perhaps Willie will take me down. I went on possibly said SK driving. He admires Hamilton. I continued and I must take him to that metropolitan to see that portrait that was painted by Trumbull. What made Burr challenge Hamilton political jealousy? Really? I said, I'm granted SK. What you did Burr kill Alexander Hamilton? I questioned further 1804. Why I exclaimed that was the year the Jumals were married wasn't that strange. I mean considering that she married Aaron Burr later. Yes, it was a terrible thing for Burr to do. Wasn't it? I said. I added that I was glad dueling had gone out of style and wasn't allowed anymore. If some of today's politicians would shoot each other. Said SK, it would be a great thing for the country and I don't see how they could hit the wrong man. That was the longest speech he had made all the way home. Something had made him very cross and pessimistic. I gave up trying to make talk and absorb and made use of the prevailing silence. That word SK who I think didn't want to share the silence that he was using for an umbrella to cover his grouch. He looked at me several times as we were upstairs but I pretended I was completely absorbed in the little iron plaque that says the elevator is inspected by inspectors every two weeks. But of course I was not deeply interested in it. Having almost learned it by heart when riding in the elevator with people at whom I didn't want to stare. In SK's apartment we began to disagree about getting a detective once more but that was the plan. SK really did it well. He walked up and down using his cane very heavily and once again almost bumping with it. But I tell you Nat he shouted this has got to be stopped. Let it go a day or so SK I pleaded. I asked only that and then if things don't calm you may do as you like but because of that note I beg that you let it go for a couple of days anyway. Please SK I am treated and really I made my voice shake. After 10 minutes of my nervous insistence he gave in then he sat down on the arm of a chair which faced me and said where are you going to put it tonight. I don't know I answered but I'll hide it somewhere. There are plenty of places and I'm not afraid. I thought perhaps I'd slip out the bottom door of the tall high boy and put it on the floor under that. Hum used SK not bad no one would think of looking there. I thought not I agreed complacently. Then he rang for Debson and he came in and told us what he had heard in the night. And he did it well I wondered whether I was all wrong as I looked at him and heard his explanations. Then I thought of Jane's confusion and the extreme doubt about anyone's icing beer. The whole thing was confusing. After that I went off I asked SK not to bother to come up with me and I did it coldly for he'd been unpleasant but he came. What was the matter I asked as we waited for the door to open he didn't fence. He's always honest. I've been fiendishly cross haven't I? He questioned instead of answering. Not fiendishly cross I said but sulky. And I went on to say that I cared too much for him to ever purposely hurt him. And that if I had I was sorry. Will you forgive me not he asked stiffly. There's nothing to forgive I said but I hate having you not like me. Not like you he echoed not like you. And then he laughed but not very happily but I didn't know what had troubled him until later. When I got in I found that really had gone and Amy was telling Aunt Penelope how nice he was. Evelyn was a little amused at Amy's description but that didn't bother Amy. She raved on in the most elaborate way. He must have been a dear little boy. She said sentimentally. He wasn't I responded truthfully. He always had three teeth out and his pockets full of frogs legs and garter snakes. Evelyn shuddered but Amy chose to dress this with romance. How brave she said how manly. Then I went to the door closed and asked them to be quiet and not to let out any surprised exclamations after which I told them what had happened and what was to happen. Aunt Penelope had been gluing numbers on records and had kept a firm clutch on one of these. Be calm girls. She warned as I finished we must be calm. And then she tried to blow her nose on the record and fan herself with the handkerchief which she held in her other hand. Amy kept looking back of her as if she expected someone to steal up and thump her at any moment and Evelyn tried to darn the darning egg while the stocking which should have been over it lay at her feet. And the plan said Aunt Penelope as she carefully put the paste brush in the ink. The plan I said is to be worked out this evening to gentlemen Mr. Grange and Mr. Thompson, business friends of Uncle Archie for Ethos Benefit are coming up to play cards. We will play in here until something happens and absorbing game will keep anyone up you know. And I am too stuff a bolster for my bed. Oh isn't this thrilling said Amy and to think that all this has been going on and no one knew it. What was that? My darning egg responded Evelyn with a glare toward Amy and if you can tell me why you have to shout and scare everyone out of their senses when anything drops. Mother do you realize that you are putting the new republic among the golly curky records? I see you have it neatly numbered. So I have said Aunt Penelope but be calm Evelyn be calm. We must all be calm here dear. And she handed Evelyn an incense burner under the impression that it was her darning egg. They were excited. Then I warned them about showing disquiet after which I opened the door. Ethos was on his knees picking up rose petals from the floor. The table on which the vase of them had stood was by the library door. I wondered anything like that made speculation. What are you doing here Ethos asked Aunt he opened his hand and showed her the result of his labors. To be sure she said looking nervously behind her and then lunch being on we went out and pretended to eat. Amy said she had asked Willie to come back that evening. I was glad for Uncle Frank was to go at seven something. And Willie as a piece of home would help over his leaving and the coming strain. Herbert will be here said Evelyn when Ethos was in the kitchen and we were alone. Then she looked at the centerpiece with a sort of Mooney expression that made her look half-witted. You could see that it was true love. He always is said Amy. Then she spilled salt and had about 10,000 spasms. Bad luck she said oh dear. A nonsensical superstition said Aunt Penelope sharply but throw it over your shoulder. Amy if you kicked the table again you may go to your room. Then the telephone rang and Aunt pretended it was Uncle Archie. Your father says some friends of his are coming up to play cards. She announced as she returned he suggested that we ask Mr. Kempwood to make a forth. When Evelyn asked after dinner replied Aunt Penelope as she settled. Ethos had heard and after he left the room we heard voices from the kitchen. The door swung, I heard Jane's voice very clearly and it said tonight. Somehow we got through the afternoon but not happily. Everyone jerked and jumped and said did you hear that? What was that? If a hair as much as third Amy said she would feel much better when Willie came in and Evelyn said I wish heard it would hurry. I dressed at seven and after I'd gotten along to their hair doing stage ran up my shade and I went to a little way as if I felt that the room was close. Then after looking around I put my bracelet under the bottom drawer of the tall high boy and after I did so I heard the tiniest noise on the balcony. Then I slipped from my kimono, put on my frock, hooked it, closed my window and left. Dinner was a very exciting affair but it didn't compare with the developments of the later evening. Those are my, again I need that word that hasn't yet been made, the one that means fear in all its various forms. Everyone was frightened, even the detectives, I know it. End of chapter 22, chapter 23 of Natalie Page. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Natalie Page by Catherine Haberlin-Taylor, chapter 23. Waiting for the human mouse. After dinner I sat down to read Amy and Willie played double canned field. Evelyn and Herbert went off to the little drawing room to talk about their house. Aunt Penelope ran the Victrola and uncle Archie, SK and our two guests played auction. They put up quite a heavy stake on it, criticized each other's plays after each hand, enacted as people do when they are playing cards for pleasure. Edo came in with a tray of glasses and some sort of light Italian wine. And then he left and it began to get late. Of course Willie didn't know about it and at 10 he left. I went with him to the hall and he told me how insulted he had been by Amy that morning but that he felt that there were possibilities in her and that he was going to try to develop them. Then he coughed and said, you know that offer of mine? I said, I recalled it. Well, he runs on, it is good. No Southern gentleman ever forgets his honor but we were both young. You know done well now that I'll go through with it if I have to, but I think you'd be a better picture than a wife. Everybody had annoyed me that day. Uncle Frank had just left and saying goodbye to him was hard and I was excited over the mystery. So I spoke frankly to be truthful. I almost shouted, I wouldn't have you. And then I turned and saw SK coming towards us. He was going down to get a piece of Japanese carving that aunt wanted to see but he let Willie start before he did. Did you hear that? I asked. Yes, he said, thank heaven I did. Not I'm a fool but that chap's coming upset me. You see my conscience keeps me from entering the race just now is evidently does not. I explained and put him right on that. And anyway, I added there wouldn't be any race. Dear child, he said if I dared let myself believe you but he continued with a change in tone that is a taboo subject. Someday if it is true, you will prove it. Now won't you? He looked down at me ever so anxiously and I laughed up at him. I felt exceedingly lighthearted since the weight of his disapproval was removed. That had really bothered me. The subject I said is tabooed. He put his hands on my shoulders, shook me gently told me I was a deer scan and started off the minute after he got outside the lights went out and I never in all my light have heard anything like the noise that followed. Evelyn and Herbert rushed out of the little drawing room and fell over a pedestal. Amy fell over a chair that had a pile of records on it and those tipped off and clattered as they went to pieces on the bare floor. Someone knocked over at the card table and someone else, the chair that held the tray of glasses on Penelope screamed and Uncle Archie said things that I cannot quote, repeating them at intervals in this manner, what the blank do you think you're doing or Penelope shut up that blank noise. He became fightfully natural as people do in crises and added considerably to the confusion. When the lights came on again, the detectives look very silly. One of them said something about hoping it would never get out. Then Ito was summoned and asked what had happened to the lights. Not can say he replied with a lift of his shoulders. Then I went to my room, looked for my bracelet and found it was gone. Everything moved after that. Ito, Jane and the cook were ordered to the library where for the first and last time they sat in state, SK and his man were sent for and enough moves to satisfy even Douglas Fairbanks were packed into the next few minutes. What was this fellow doing when you went down? The detective asked the best, he looked at Devson. I don't know SK answered, I didn't go down. I heard the noise and tried to get back. How about the outside men, the detective went on and I've been found that there had been other people on guard these watching outside. Someone went down and returned with a crestfallen baffled air. Saw nothing you said, but this fellow looking at Devson went down the stairs after the lights went out. Then Ito spoke, he has habit. He explained of spending evening with Jane when Mr. Kempwood suspect him to be answering doorbell. It was therefore that I removed light plug to delay Mr. Kempwood and cover retreat of Devson since we are friends. That is true, said Jane beginning to cry in a hope so that you will not blame him since it is my fault and that'll do someone said and she relapsed into very moist sounding sniffs. I don't know how the servant class as aunt calls them managed to sniff like that for theirs is a pervasive far carrying sniff. But I noticed that they always employ it when they are thinking of leaving and perhaps strength comes from constant practice. Suppose we go down and search said Amy, probably he's, she pointed to SK's man hidden it. I never saw such a look about raged innocence as that man war. If there's any doubt, he said, I've wrote request to search, I'm honest. Was there a blind man around? I asked, did you hear of him downstairs? The man whom I asked the man who had been outside said there was, but he said, I'm afraid you won't make a detective miss. He has been watched. He has not moved and since this affair he has been searched. Where was he sitting? I asked, come to think of it. Said one of the men, I think he was sitting by a window that leads to the coal sellers. They got in cold today. I said, I heard it go in. Possibly the inner window was not replaced. If the grading only was locked my bracelet would go through that. Then I saw Debson move and he spoke quickly and in doing so it made me sure that he was guilty. As I said, I'm honest. He began voice shaking. I love this girl. He pointed to Jane. But if you want my opinion you will not have to go as far as the basement to find the bracelet would lead you to say that. Ask the man who was putting the questions. He asked it sternly. My conscience replied SK servant and a sudden recollection of having seen it on her arm. One night when I took her to the clover leave social club ball. I afterwards sought on this page's arm when she was having tea with Mr. Kempwood. Jane cried harder than ever. Just once she gasped and honest to God I never done it again. But no one was convinced. I felt sure that Jane was being truthful but I think I was alone in this. Then after dividing the men and leaving the suspects guarded a party was sent to the basements. I went with them and I my bracelet. It was wrapped in a piece of burlap and a string was tied to it. Lowered from my window to the blind man. I said as I triumphantly undid it. The man who had told me I was not a detective told me he would give me a job any day. I did feel proud. Then we started upstairs once again and I heard how the bracelet had come back. The woman did it and after she finished her but put his arm around her which proved to me that he does really care deeply. There's no mystery about that bracelet disappearing and reappearing. She said suddenly and stridently when I was being questioned about that. I have until recently cared a good deal about things, possessions and in these my bracelet I thought I had something that was unique individual when Natalie appeared with the real mate. It completely outshone mine and annoyed me frightfully. I began to warn her not to wear it with hastily scribbled small notes which I left out. She ignored these I therefore put it where she could not wear it. That is I locked it in my jewel case. When I felt that I must return it I did so at night. Sometimes when I went in she stirred and I wanting her to think the affair is supernatural and not to have her connected with me began to send it back at the end of my riding clock. I put the handle against the bracelet and shove it in the room just as far as I could reach. I don't know how many times I did it. That is what she means when she said it crept in by itself. Naturally she didn't see my crop which is dark. Only saw the glitter of the gold I said and I didn't know you didn't want me to wear it. If I had of course I wouldn't have done so. It seemed a joke then she went on. I didn't think at first that Natalie could misunderstand. And then well I was annoyed with her and I let it go on. It was a form of getting even. I even tried to frighten her once or twice. One night I stole a flashlight. She saw my hand and was frightened. I think for what she called. When I began to care more for you Natalie she continued in that different tone and speaking directly to me I was sorry but somehow I couldn't say so. And because you stopped telling of things that occurred to bother you I thought you weren't frightened anymore. I know it was contemptible. I hope you can forgive me. Of course I said I did and I cared a lot for her and that it didn't matter. Didn't you know your cousin's writing? I asked one of the men and I shook my head. Perhaps it looked different in pencil. I explained and I suppose I never had even noticed it in ink. Then I was so sure those notes came from Madame Jamelle her initials and evidence are the same. And then I paused but they made me go on and I had to tell about family misfortunes which had to some minds been twisted about that bracelet. Then Amy who had had to be silent and who had seen how gentle Herbert had been with Evelyn after her confession put in. I like Amy most of the time and we are good friends but I knew she made her confession hoping that she would be thought noble and so that she would be noticed. I stole those violets. She said standing up on myself under the lure. I've been orchid and I wish to snub some of my most intimate friends put those stockings in the box. Then went back to Herbert and she glared up at the ceiling and clasped her hands. It was a pose. She got from Naza Mova but it didn't look the way it did under Naza Mova's touch. Aunt Penelope snapped at her so hard that I felt sorry for her. You were a little sneak. She said to let all of us punish your cousin for weeks for something that you did. Sit down and be quiet or leave the room. I only asked for forgiveness. Amy went on sadly and that will bring me peace. How could I know when I inserted those worn out yellow socks of Evelyn's that I was direct to happiness of a carefree girlish heart? The detectives laughed but SK glared at her and he uttered something about hoping people wouldn't believe everything they heard hereafter. Am I forgiven? Ask Amy. She made her voice tremble beautifully. She had learned too from those singing lesson records that you can buy now. I said she was of course, and SK glanted and then he put his arm around me. It seemed to be catching. I'm going to take care of you after this. He said to set teeth, I've adopted you for the present. Understand no more of that sort of nonsense shall occur. How about those noises outside? Those noises that were heard on the balcony? Someone asked. Jane got in her innings then and I imagine that Debson was sawed. He'd mentioned having seen her wear my bracelet. He come up to see me that way. She said time and again he done it. He had a long stick with a hook on top that he jabbed in a window sill or over the balcony rail and then he come up hand over hand. He said he done a turn one year in vaudeville and that that was in his bill and then she left shortly. He is true. Said he did greatly. We left when he approached and climbed manner. It was in dark of court. No one had opportunity to see. We encourage him to arrive so like monkey. I think he planned to come in such manners so that we in back of apartment hear scrape noises. Jane will think he visit me. I think he visit Jane. Meanwhile, he inspect and salute. Jewel bracelet. Why did you want to ask the detective? Debson said he did not. Loudly protesting his innocence until one of our visiting gentlemen went forward. Slept his pockets and then began to unload them. He found all sorts of interesting things and implement that is called a Jimmy. That is I believe largely used in burglaries, a pistol, SK's best cuff links and most important a ball of twine. And that matched the piece that I found tied to the bracelet he had to give in. And when he saw that protests amounted to nothing he talked frankly. I thought I was safe said Debson after his conviction was achieved. No one up here believed the kid and almost every night I prowled around somewhere and during the day too after I was thick with these two he motioned to eat her and Jane. Why it looked as exciting as a Sunday school picnic to be sure I hadn't located the right bracelet. She had a way of hiding it but I could get into her room anytime I wanted to. One afternoon I walked in and busted the lock of the window and no one said nothing. I thought I had it all fixed and that my hunting was over for just today. He promised not to kick up a search until she wanted it and I believed it, I believed it. After that he looked at us and laughed laughed in a silent, sneering way but I felt that his own failure was what made his unhappy mirth. His own failure and his being caught by such a simple trap. Why did you want to ask Uncle Archie the thing isn't worth enough for all the trouble you gave it. Is that so brother said the man who as a servant had had the most quiet voice in the first man just go ask Vincente Alcone Rodriguez. That boy's a little sugar king and he makes enough to sweeten several lives. He offered me 25,000 if I could get the Gmail bracelet or it's made for him and get it down to the monkey zone. And now you got me what you're going to do with me. He snarled this. We'll give you a nice chance to rest. Answered one of the men pleasantly and taking handcuffs from his pocket, snapped them on the man who had made me so much trouble and all the mystery. I wonder why the sugar king wanted it. I asked as the men went off taking depths in between them. I'll find out as he answered and he did. End of chapter 23.