Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1889-10-10

As ra1x do you know am sig to The
know it? Why, you couldn't Aeep away
from that place, if once in its neighbor-
hood, to save your life. If Miss Lulu
were at home now, it might be different. {"
Come. come, Norah. what can you be
driving at2" said !, beginning to feel dis
turbed. "How could it change my mind il
Miss Lulu Glanced to be there?"
Because bashfulness, or tinifdity of some
kind, would keep you away"
You're pleased to be foolish as we'll as
absurd this morning, my DEAR" said l,
growing little hot.
You talk in your sleep, my fine fellow,
and the partition between our rooms is OF
the thinnest, cried Norah, with her hearty
laugh. Aha! big men have secrets as well
as weak women, and all human creatures
dream at times. For shame! 1t was moth
ing but Lulu, Lulu and through one
imaginary hairbreadth escape after another
all through the night"
You don't mean it?" exclaimed, flush
ing. "Howeyer-dreams 60 by contraries.
rs everybody knows, and"
Not with aSd-headed detectives who
have never talked in their sleep before, in
terrupted my sister, and with repetition
of her bright ,xaugh she shut the door in
my face.
"Pshawl" { muttered to myself as !
strolled awaua its only her revenge for the
frequent chsHng have given her about
Hank Dresser"
But, nevertheless as / walked on was
sure that Norah conld never have altogether
invented the story of my having given
myself away" in my sleep, and the knowl-
edge OF 1t caused me some humiliation as
well as embarrassment. What! I, Tom
Piercer, veteran detective, scomer of every-
thing soft or sentimental, to be caught pratt
ting in dreams, like a girl or babyf For
shame, indeed! Recent long vigils, hard
work, and excitement must have upset my
head as well as my stomach. half-re-
solved to see physician about it forthwith
But might as well confess right here
that never did. In fact, the thought Of
my luckless love for Lulu Dixon-for so
continued to regard it-kept growing
upon me in force and intensity every hour
and every minute, and, instead of combat
ing and sitting it, / strangely enough found
myself petting, nursing, and hugging it
constantly, it was SO delicious, yet prepos-
ferrous.
The day was one of those soft, wooing,
and spring like ones SO frequent and yet so
in our December weather. The
river being at very low tide, I made my way
toward The Aspens along the fats, as near
to the waters edge as could conveniently
go, watching the gulls, inhaling the salty
odors, and perhaps dreaming dreams that
even Norah could hardly have conceived of.
This brought me into the Dixon grounds
through the river washed palings near the
boat-h house, and, by consequence, APP
the fine old mansion by side to
which was little accustomed,
As did so noticed q pigeon futtering
about a certain second-story window, and
acting in very singular manner. Now it
would perch upon the sill expectantly, and
then either hutter or hop closer in, and
peck against the panes.
The window belonged to the room di-
rectly above the library, and, recalling the
inquest, at once remembered it as having
been Miss Lulu's chamber.
While l was pausing in surprise, and
studying the movements of the bird, the
window of the adjoining room was thrown
open, and Miss Digby appeared at it.
She at first acknowledged my greeting
words, and then cried OUT Dear me! one
Of the pet carriers. What can it mean?
Just wait where you are moment, Mr..
She disappeared, and at that moment
was joined by Doc, who CHANGED to be
about the grounds.
, What are you staring at?" said he, after
bidding me good-morning with discon-
tented air. "Jocelyn is not much hurt
after all, and everything is muddled up, as
usual"
cut him short by calling his attention
10 the pigeon.
why, it's one of the young carriers that
when my sister did," he cried
just then Miss Digby threw open the
window at which the bird had been en-
reating admission, as it were, and folded
he docile bird in her soft hands.
Then she exhibited it to us, and, even
rom where we stood, we could make out
mall, delicately folded packet fastened un-
der one of its wings.
DO you remember my prediction?" she
cried out in a clear, exultant voice. "A
from Lulu!"
CHAPTER XXI