Free Mystery in the Sand by Gertrude Warner Page A

raised his eyebrows in a question. Mr. Lee nodded.
    Mr. Alden began very slowly. “Miss Lane, we have an idea for you and for everyone interested in pictures—and in stray cats, too.”
    At this last word, Miss Lane looked up at Mr. Alden. She was most interested in the word cats, stray cats.
    Then Mr. Alden explained about the idea of a shelter for cats, a place where stray cats could be kept until good homes were found for them.
    “I’d be very much interested in that,” said Miss Lane. “But there must be a catch somewhere.”
    “There is!” exclaimed Benny. “You’re smart, Miss Lane.”
    “It isn’t really a catch,” explained Mr. Lee. “Of course we must raise money to run such a shelter. You could give a one-man show with nothing but your own paintings. There’d be a small admission charge. The money would go to the shelter. Perhaps people who like cats would come.”
    “Perhaps people who like paintings but don’t care for cats would come,” Jessie added.
    “You are all very clever,” said Miss Lane, nodding. “You all know my weak spot. I may agree to this plan.”
    “Oh, I wish you would!” said Violet.
    Sugar Cookie was tired out. He had gone to sleep in Violet’s lap, one paw still around the blue string.
    “If you wish me to, I will,” said Miss Lane. “Your portrait is the best one I have ever done. Do you mind having it shown?”
    Violet said, “No, I don’t mind. I should think I might, but I don’t.”
    Benny said, “I wouldn’t mind, but I’m surprised at Violet. Usually she minds things like that.”
    The sandwiches were fast disappearing. The hardboiled eggs were all gone. The pickles were gone.
    After the cookies were gone, Mr. Lee said good-bye. Grandfather watched him as he walked down the beach. He did not have Richard with him or his metal-finder.
    Grandfather said, “Dan is exactly like me.”
    “Oh, no, Grandfather,” said Violet, “not just exactly!”
    “He thinks the way I do,” said Grandfather. “He wants to get things done, quick, right off. He doesn’t waste any time. You mark my words, he already has the whole art show planned. He knows exactly the people he will invite to help. And I am sure he has a place picked out for the animal shelter, too, and maybe a manager in mind. He probably wants you, Miss Lane, to paint a special picture to help advertise the center.”
    “I will, you know,” Miss Lane said. “And now Mary and I must go. I know you all want to start for home. And I have to tell Bluebell why I took her kitten away. She has another, anyway, so she won’t mind too much.”
    The Aldens left Grandfather sitting in his chair while they took the two ladies home. They wanted to say good-bye for now and to talk about other visits in the future.
    Miss Lane had tears in her eyes when she said good-bye to Violet. “You’ve helped me more than you know,” she said in a low voice.
    “Don’t forget Ali had to run away so that Violet could get to know you,” Benny said.
    They had to smile at that. Then the women disappeared into the tower.
    Nobody spoke all the way back to the trailer until they saw Mr. Alden drawing a picture in the sand with his cane.
    “I bet you have some ideas about the animal shelter,” called Benny.
    “Right,” agreed Grandfather. “You come and get these chairs, Ben, and we’ll go home.”
    The bags were soon ready. Jessie put the food that was left in a large basket to take home. They looked around the trailer home. It was all ready for Aunt Jane and Uncle Andy to enjoy again.
    Grandfather, Benny, and Violet with her kitten went in the first car. Henry and Jessie followed in the blue car.
    As they came near home, Violet said, “Now the most important thing is Watch. We simply cannot hurt his feelings. I’m sure he won’t like Sugar Cookie. We’ll have to think of some way to get him to like a kitten.”
    Benny said, “Make him think the kitten is his idea. He will like it if he thinks Sugar Cookie is his