The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-05-25
CHAPTER VII.

tits five-andtwenty minutes past
eleven p. m.
Robin, Harry and I are assembled
in the dim dining-room, equipped
for our midnight adventure.
Our plot is simple in the extreme.
At eleven Harry takes departure,
and few minutes later we all re-
tire to our rooms. At twenty min
utes past eleven, Robin and | creep
down to the deserted dining-room
and admit Harry by the window.
John, having absented himself from
the drawing-room about half past
nine is supposed to be in the
grounds. AS we stand there, wait
ing for the half-hour to strike, not
withstanding the warm cloak in
which | am wrapped, shiver runs
through me.
Robin, on the contrary, appears
to be quite in her clement
Il wonder whether the poker
would come useful?" she meditates,
bending down and lingering that
article as she speaks. ave certain
ly ought to be armed in some way"
persues Robin; ''not that | am
exactly afraid of ghosts; but I should
not care for a hand-to-hand fight
with ONE must take the poker, or
tongs, or something to wave him
off,
'Nonsense!' I whisper impa-
tiently.
you mean creature!" retorts
Robin. at is all very we'll fer you
to cry nonsense when you are
armed with an umbrellap
II don't think you will need any
weapons" continues Harry, laugh
ing. "see-I am prepared for any
emergency" and he draws a small
revolver from his breast-pocket.
At this juncture there comes a
faint tap on the window-pane, and I
could hardly refrain from shrieking.
Surely, the ghost, offended at our
levity or audacity, must be coming
to look US upl Another tap and
heavy breathing without, a hurried
schraehing, and then a faint whine.
an the nick of time; that must
be Neil, dear thingl" cries Robin,
quickly opening the window and
admitting her old favorite.
'lt is time we started" says
Harry, as the dining-room clock
slowly doled out the half hour.
'Wait till l have secured Nell"
whispers Robin.
''Are you ready now?" questions
Harry impatiently.
We answer in the affirmative, and
then we noiselessly make our exit
through the French window, and |
find ourselves in the moonlit |
grounds. Stealthily we creep along
in the shadow of the house, and |
then under cover OF a belt of rhodo- |
dentrons, until we reach the en-
trance to the Lovers walk.
AT this point, the path not being |
wide enough for three to walk
abreast, Harry and l take the lead |
at our heels follows Robin, with |
Nell held well in hand.
Necessarily our advance is as
noiseless as possible, and complete
silence falls upon us as we approach
the arbor. Luck is on our side
when we reach the end of the walk.
The moon is obscured by clouds for
a few minutes, so giving US time to
noiselessly esconce ourselves in
ambush some few yards from the
summer-house.
Harry stands nearest the summer,
house, and | cluch tightly on his
right arm. Robin crouches on the
around, with her arm thrown over
Nell's neck, SO that she may softly
reason with the dog should she grow
FESTIVE.
Woare installed some minutes be-
fore the moon breaks forth from her
cloud. When at lenghth she does
it is only by strong effort
hat | keep quiet; for there in the
open patch of moonlight stands
Jack his face CHASTITY pale in the
strong light, is turned full upon the
bushes which conceal us, while his
lark eyes see literally to burn into
,he blackness.
'Lucy-Lucyl" he calls, in Above