Whispering Walls Page 16

  CHAPTER 16 _AN OPEN WINDOW_

  Unmindful of Penny, Celeste bent lower over her bed-ridden mistress,whispering words into her ear.

  "Celeste! What are you saying?" Penny demanded. "Why, you're puttingdangerous ideas into Mrs. Rhett's mind!"

  The servant whirled toward her angrily. "Go away!" she ordered. "Mymistress does not want you here!"

  "Celeste!" reproved Mrs. Rhett, but in a mild voice.

  Penny stood her ground, stubbornly determined that a servant should notorder her away. For a moment she and Celeste measured each other withsteady gaze. Nothing more was said. Mrs. Rhett sighed, closed her eyes,and seemed to drowse.

  Lorinda came bounding up the stairs two at a time. Unaware that anythingunpleasant had transpired during her absence, she said with forcedcheerfulness:

  "Now, Mother, let's have no more nonsense. You're to eat your foodwithout fuss. Here, let's try the custard again."

  Mrs. Rhett pushed away the spoon. "No, Lorinda, it is useless. But thereis something you may do for me."

  "Anything you wish, Mother."

  "Bring pen and ink."

  "Are you really strong enough to write a letter?"

  "I intend to change my will. Lorinda, we spoke of this the other day.While I still have the strength I must revoke my former will and leaveall my property to you."

  "Oh, Mother, don't talk of such things! Why, the doctor says you're inperfect physical condition. You'll be up and around in another day ortwo. It's only worry about Father that has put you under the weather."

  "I have made up my mind, Lorinda. The will must be changed--now--tonight,while I have the strength."

  "Very well, if it will make you rest easier," Lorinda said reluctantly."Celeste, bring ink, a pen and paper."

  Celeste made no move to obey. "My mistress is not strong enough towrite," she mumbled.

  "Mother wishes to change the will. Please bring the materials."

  "To change the will while one lies on a sick bed is to invite greattrouble."

  "Celeste! No more of such talk! Do as you are told!"

  Penny thought the servant would refuse to obey, but she shuffled off.Many minutes passed before she returned with the requested materials.

  Lorinda sat down at the bedside, and wrote at her Mother's dictation. Itwas a simple will in which Mrs. Rhett left all of her property to herdaughter.

  "If I thought my husband ever would return, I would want him to receiveall my holdings," she said. "As it is, I think the money should go toyou, Lorinda."

  Penny was tempted to speak of her own belief that Mr. Rhett might bealive and in the city. However, realizing she had not a scrap of proof,she wisely remained silent.

  Mrs. Rhett signed the will. Lorinda and Penny then added their names aswitnesses to the document.

  "Lock the will in the safe," Mrs. Rhett instructed her daughter. "Do itnow, before you forget."

  "Yes, Mother."

  Seemingly relieved that the matter had been accomplished, Mrs. Rhettturned over in bed and tried to sleep. Leaving Celeste to look after her,Penny and Lorinda went downstairs to the study.

  "Celeste seemed to be displeased because your mother changed the will,"Penny remarked.

  "Yes, Celeste has become a problem. I feel the doctor was right insuggesting a nurse for Mother. Celeste _may_ mean well, but she is adistinct influence for the worse."

  "Then why not get rid of her?"

  "How?"

  "Tell her to go."

  Lorinda laughed shortly. "You don't know Celeste if you think she wouldtake such an order from me!"

  "Then have your mother dismiss her."

  "I'm not sure she would do it. Furthermore, Celeste might defy her too.She has the idea she'll take orders only from my stepfather."

  "I believe you're actually afraid of the woman," Penny commented.

  "In a way I am," Lorinda admitted. "Mother used to dislike her intensely.Strangely, since she has become ill, she seems to depend more uponCeleste than she does upon me."

  "Did it ever occur to you that Celeste might deliberately be plantingideas in your mother's mind?"

  "Yes, I've thought of it. I don't believe Celeste would be evil enough todo it on purpose, but she is highly superstitious. I wish she were out ofthe house."

  "You could get rid of her if you really wanted to. Just call in thepolice, and have them take over."

  "I couldn't do that. Mother would never forgive me."

  The girls entered the study, and Lorinda switched on a light. Afterpulling the blinds, she removed the wall picture, and prepared to openthe safe.

  Before she could spin the dials, footsteps padded on the stairway.Celeste appeared suddenly in the study doorway.

  "Come quick!" she pleaded. "Mistress much worse!"

  Lorinda dropped the will on the table, and with Penny close at her heels,followed Celeste up the stairway. Expecting the worst, they peeredanxiously at Mrs. Rhett. She was tossing restlessly, but otherwiseappeared the same as when they had seen her a few minutes ago.

  "How do you feel, Mother?" Lorinda asked.

  "Just the same," Mrs. Rhett replied listlessly.

  Lorinda gazed questioningly at Celeste.

  "Mistress much better now," the servant said. "She had sinking spellwhile you were downstairs."

  "I'm afraid you imagined it, Celeste," Lorinda replied severely. "Thisreally proves that we should have a trained nurse. Otherwise, you'llfrighten us all out of our wits."

  Celeste started to make a retort, but just then Mrs. Rhett spoke:"Lorinda, did you put the will in the safe?" she asked.

  "I was doing it when Celeste called. I'll attend to it right away."

  Lorinda stooped to kiss her mother and offer a glass of water which wasdeclined. She then went downstairs once more with Penny.

  "What do you suppose possessed Celeste to frighten me so?" she remarkedthoughtfully. "Did Mother seem changed to you?"

  "Not a particle."

  Reaching the study, Lorinda went directly to the table where she had leftthe signed will. The paper was not there.

  "Why, Penny, what did I do with it?" she demanded in bewilderment. "I wascertain I left it here."

  "I distinctly recall that you did," Penny replied, her gaze wandering toan open window where a curtain fluttered in the breeze. "Lorinda, I thinkwhile we were away, someone came in from outside and took the will!"