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

ate lficil0 hOUiil Trips Ou III GiIS IL
rection of the Lovers Walk, with a
novel tucked under her arm, and
Nell careering at her heels.
Harry makes a somewhat lengthy
visit, during which | give him a
singing lesson.
It is nearly one o'clock before
find myself at liberty to seek Robin
Knowing that she disappeared in
the direction of Lovers Walk, and
provided with a book, I have not
much difficulty in guessing hel
destination.
| discover her seated on the short
weedy grass which surrounds the
spot, her back propped against one
lde of the summer house, and
:haded by broken down clematis
laden with its starry white bloom.
Are you fly catching?" | ask
with some interest-her mouth GER
tainly is little is a little open.
"Only trying to fy-catch, F"
answers Robin, laughing.
Unable to resist thetemptation, |
shake the over-hanging clematis
with a vigorous hand, and the next
moment Robin struggles to her feet
with a choking, laughing cough.
"You mean thingp she says, with
look of unmitigated reproach, as
she removes the last white petal
from her lips. "Here have | been,
so to say, offering myself upon the
shrine of friendship for the last
three hours, and in return you come
and choke me with clematis. But
I'll have my revenge; when Harry
next comes I'll stick to you like a
bur.
"All right" / answer complacent-
ly; "you will have an opportunity
this evening-he is coming to din
ner."
"What, again."
eyes again. answer, with a
sigh.
"'Sigh no more, ladies sigh no more;
Men were deceivers ever!
One foot on the sea and one"
quotes Robin, but [ interrupt her
impatiently.
Don't Robin; it is very unkind-
when he going away toop
"Ah, when he is gone, you will
be just as forlorn as [ am" muses.
Robin sympathetically.
"Much-much more So" [ de-
clare pathetically; and then, [ con-
tinue, with a dash of confidence
For you, Robin, have never loved"
otis better to have loved and
lost, than never to have loved at
ALL" quotes Robin.
"Rubbish!" | exclaim, with a
shrug of my shoulders.
"Snubbed on all Sides" confdes
Robin dolefully to the elements. II
had better retire into my she'll, like
a sensitive SNAIL" and, SO saying,
she disappears behind the trailing
creepers which more than half con-
ceal the entrance to the arbor.
For some moments there is
silence.
Presently, however there is heard
a little exclamation as of surprise
from the arbor. and shortly after
Robin emerges from her retreat,
holding a narrow strip of writing in
her hand.
"See," she says, handing me the
paper, with puzzled look-'I found
this carefully tucked away in the
woodwork of the summer-house-
what does it mean?'
| take the the narrow slip care
lessly; but as my eyes light on the
few words traced thereon, | know
that I grow pale to my finger tips.
"What does it mean?" questions
Robin again;
II cannot understand" l say fall
teringly, "Robin do you think this
could have been written years ago?"
"No," she answers, as she returns
it; ''it is freshly written; see, the ink
has not turned fully black"
"Then," l say, dropping the scrap
of paper on my knee. with a look
of horror-"what are we to think?
Robin, as sure as [ sit here, that is
the handwriting of the dead"
II don't think the dead would
use 'blue-black' writing ink"
| am too much dazed myself to
resent the scofing tone.
''Itis Lucy's handwriting" I say.
Robin stares at me for some time
then reads the written words aloud.
again at midnight meet me-see me,
speak 10 me, but do not touch. To touch is
PROCLAMATION. Last night lowered round. but
the air held me in iron bonds; could neither
nor communicate" 81"
"Maleralyze nor communicated"
Robin, shaking her head.
"What does it mean, | never read
such rubbish in all my life"
"Hush!" l say, ''it is message
from Lucy to Jack. Oh, Robin this
accounts for everything! She has
been appearing to him." and |
shudder.
Don't talk such nonsense if you
please" answers Robin. "Do you
mean to say that you actually
believe in ghosts?"
"GhostsW I say scornfully. "No,
Of course [ don't believe in ghosts;
but I do think some spirits have
power according them to revisit the
earth"
$50 they can be SEEM"
Eyes, so they can be seem"
"Then you make a distinction
where there exists no difference"
"Hush, hush!' | say.
"But | won't hush~ declares
Robin stoutly. II am convinced
hat some trick is being played on
,onr brother AhD--with . smila of |