Voice from the Cave

ly to be home by three o'clock and it's nearly five now. Un

nding on the gravel driveway of the Parker home. Aided by Mrs. Weems, the family housekeeper, she had spent hours pac

eems responded to the girl's question. "

ephone? It's driving me

, had planned a vacation camping trip to the nearby seashore resort, Sunset Beach. Twice the excursion had been postponed. Pen

office this minute!" she dec

that had blown about the yard. She was cramming waste paper

announced. "He left the of

been home before this

ed. Maybe he's been

lk," the housekeeper interrup

automobile last winter.

Weems replied. "Probabl

wouldn't he hav

retting, Penny. Your father

be," Penny

r tennis shoe back and forth in the gravel. Mrs. Weems who had cared

"That's no way to act just because

complained. "We planned on starting early and having

fully to her feet. However, it was not her father who had arrived. Inst

say goodbye to you, Penny!" she

ne myself. Dad hasn't put in an appear

e replied, turning to inspect the over-loaded se

to ask one of her own. "W

eyes sparkled mischievously as she a

re jo

s. Deline. She's a widow, you know, and h

rheard the conversation

she inquired, slightly dis

y, that woman would make the Merry Widow look like a dead

housekeeper re

now what eve

" Mrs. Weems requested. "I'm sure

. "I saw her in action last week-end at the Country Club. Why, she simply went out of h

e housekeeper reproved. "Unfortunately, it

rnet's nest, said hastily: "Maybe it wasn't

package of dynamite than Mrs. Deline. It just

ile where she switched on the radio. She tuned it car

ion Com

he dial, for she realized that she

ouncer commanded again. "This

of words which were in no languag

itedly. "I think I've tuned in an ou

car. Penny tried desperately to tune the station

she asked eagerly. "Most of it I couldn

eems exclaimed

t have been a short wave broadcast beamed at a particular g

e in again?" L

cess. She was still trying when a

father now!" L

Penny added, craning her

emoved her apron. In an undertone she warned

tractively slender, and dressed in an expensive tailored suit. Her face was cold and serene, but so striking tha

t?" she

oss the yard, introducing her first

ch," he explained to Penny. "She intended to

id in an affected drawl. "It was so nice of

y replied. She tried to speak cordially but the word

ine will ride up front. Penny, you'll

le room left in the rear seat for a passenger. Penny's face was very long. For weeks she

g at Sunset Beach?" she

Crystal Inn. I'm sure I couldn't endure a camping trip. Mosquitoes-ha

ill be fu

ed the widow into the front seat. "Penny, why don't

ered Penny

far more sensib

e," Penny argued. "We've planne

gave in willingly enough. "Only I never did care much for

uested. "I have to get my

mmer rain cloud. Mrs. Weems and Louise fol

per cautioned. "Mrs. Deline seems like a very ni

had to invite her! It

ou being

be crammed back with the pots and pans and

ine is yo

corrected. "Furthermore, I

your thoughts to yourself," Mrs. Weems s

d she laughed. Wrapping her arms about the hous

itted. "But don't worry. I'll preten

ou'll not be troubled with her company lon

. She turned to say

she said wistfully. "A vacati

enny that her father and Mrs. Deline were w

kissing her goodbye. "And don't l

certain that Mrs. Wee

Deline's already in my hair. What I'm really worri