The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-02-22
\ weather is hotter than Mra ersy's oven,

am willing to take my turn. But 1t can not
be burglar. or he would carry OF somethipg
valuable. 1t 10 some mischief.maker," con-
tinued Lou, turning her bright dark eyes
on Alice. who stood by, the picture Of be-
wilderment; but on questioning Mrs Gray,
she vel emently protested that Alice had
not been out OF the kitchen while May was
cut
Mean while we watched. My room Was op-
posite Mays, aud whenever she went out,
her door aud mine we're left open, and Lou
or 1 stag ed in my room. The weather gre
hotter; the windows were invariably open
now, but they were high with moth
ing Whatever Outside to climb up
on, and besides, they we're directly In sight
from the street
Nothing happened for week or 30, and
we began to feel O. il the mystery, II not ex.
planned, was not to be continued But alas
there came o day when May was not out
and was keeping guard There was not
sound in the lifeless air but bird chirpiDe
in the cherry tree near when spangl whackl
went Q book to the floor in Mays room.
ran in, and there was plate of nice cake
for Mays luncheon nearly gone; crumbs
we're scattered ON the table, floor and win
dow sill, but no living thing was in sight
Trembling. rushed TO the closet and as
opened the door of It, Mays dresses sway ed
in the wind, but that was all. There was nc
cat about the premises, and II there had been
one, she could never have hidden from the
search gave that room. was baff1ed, but
removed all traces of the thieving and did
not tell May.
The next day was cooler, and on going out
Nav said ct think / must have q shawl 20
'uay, and I'll take this light Goodness
see here NV shawl is ruined" And there
was certainly hole cut through four oil
five thicknesses of it, where Ii was folded
xx-;t knsf ~
shawl was 20 thick that the cut could not
have been made with scissors.
She looked thundestruck, but Lou only
said. ASK Alice about it."
How could she do it, with Susv looking
on, almost-and besides, why shonld she al
ways try to torment me? Why don't shs
take you and Susy once in while?
'Girls," said l., 1.-THE fact is, everything
witchcrsft is going to be revived"
Lou looked wise, bat only said, Just ask
| Alice about it and see how she looks"
Alice was called, and on entering the room
May held up the shawl and sternly asked
DO you know who did thatr'
The poor child looked at it, then from one
| to another, and turned and fed to her OWL
room.
"You see now, don't your" said Lou
"She couldn't say o word. The thankless
y
herT
IT can not think yet that she is the cul
prit We all looked so sternly at her she
was frightened" said May.
Mrs. GRAY was informed of the new phase
of affairs, and on going to Alices room found
the poor girl in an agony of tears. sobbine
out, ITO think she would believe it OF me
and she's been such good friend!"
So she wept and walled in her chamber
aud we ali looked little conscience-smitten
Mrs Gray kept silence, but seemed as near
the point of being indignant as one of hsl
sweet disposition could be, and day or two
went by without further developments.
All this happened on Wednesday, and on
Friday, while we were at dinner, was sure
heard sound upstairs. Making an ex-
cuse, left the table and on going very care
fully up, heard the latch of Alice's door click
while was on the stairs. Passing on to
May g room, again the table was in confusion.
Her pretty watch stand was overturned
and the watch was gone!
The mystery was impenetrable, and Affairs
were rapidly growing serious. May was evil
IDENTIFY frightened, Lou indignant at having
the comfort of our quiet summer SO broken
somewhat alarmed.
May declared she never could sleep there
again, and begged Lou to take her in.
Mrs. Gray had gone at once to Alice's
room, from whence, after some time. she
came to Us and said, II am as much in the
dark Is any of you about it, but am con-
WINGED Alice mas nothing to do with it."
Bot the door, Mrs. Gray, l am sure
heard it click while / was on the stairs.
How do you account for thstr'
"I asked Alice IL she had been out of her
room, and she said she was sitting by her
window, which was open, and hearing stir
in the other room, was coming to tell of 1t,
when she heard Susy's step on the stair, and
went back as quickly as possible, thinking ii
there were any trouble and she was seen In
the entry. it would be considered proof
against her. She Is deeply distressed. You
may make any investigation you please. OF
call In help il you wish. am as anxious to
have the matter cleared up as you can be
Mrs. Gray was evidently deeply chagrined,
as we'll as mvstified, and begged May to see
and talk with Alice herself
May went straight to her, and after long
time appeared with red eyes and said:
II shall not have another word said about
Alice. / would rather lose two watches,
though do want to know how the thing gol
aaway. The poor child in her trouble walls
for her mother and says oh, what would
my mamma say to think l was accused ol
stealing? o Miss May, how could you thinl
it of me. how could you, how could you
Haven't always been careful OF everything
tnat Wos youis, ohu snon maven Nv SN ~
soT"
Her grief was too distressing not to b.
real 1 could not bear to see her, so 1 tolC
her that the truth would certainly come out
and il she was innocent / should most Ger
tainly rejoice to ind 1t So"
So the matter dropped for that afternoon
and we dispersed, each of US feeling verl
anxious as to what should be the outcome 0
all this Lou took May into her room, anC
ana the "haunted room, as we called it, wa
carefully closed, and its doors and window
we're fastened
In the morning, every thing was right W.
plucked up courage and searched still far
ther for the missing watch, but searched il
vain.
DAYS came and went and nothing NOR
was touched At last, thinking the evil spiri
exercised, May went back to her room
moved back her easel, and oil the parapher
ALA of her beloved art and sketched beau
tiful little bits of creation, while Lou wrot
or read. and played with the late roses tina
were climbing Lver the windsws, and peep
ing In to ask II We did not want bouquet
Quiet seemed to be setting once more owe
the disturbed household, although CLIQUE
still hung between Alice and Us girls ant
there was no hing more said ABOUT oraWinR
lessons or painting pictures.
Nav. however, would always have one
as sleep with her; so We took turns, en'
early one night when was with her, wa
awakened by q cold hand laid on my lace
and q whisper in my ear, DO wake q
there is somebody In the ROOM"
/ Half awake strained my sense to hear
.nd ues convinced that something wa