The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-06-01

tell her. After little time he returned
and said that he could not find Miss Viz
ginia anywhere. As she was in the habit
of going out TO the garden every even
ing to get flowers for the dinner table,
Mrs. Otis was not at all alarmed at first,
but when O'Clock struck and Virginia
did not appear she became really agitated,
and sent the boys out. to look for her,
while she herself and Mr.. Otis searched
every room in the house. At $50 the
boys came back and said that they could
find no trace of their sister anywhere.
They we're all now in the greatest state OF
excitement, and did not know what to do
when Mr.. Otis suddenly emembered that
some few DAYS before he had given band
of gypsies permission 10 camp in the park.
He accordingly at once set of for Blackfell
Hollow. where be knew they were,
accompanied nv his eldest son and two
OF the farm servants The little duke
OF Cheshire, who was perfectly
frantic with anxiety, begged hard to be al
lowed TO go, too. but Mr.. Otis would not
allow him. as he was afraid there might
be scuffle. On arriving at the spot. how
ever, he found that the gypsies had gone,
had been rather sudden. "a the fire was
still burning, and some plates were lying
on the grass Having sent off Washing
ton and the two men 10 scour the district,
he ran home and dispatched kilograms to
all the police inspectors IN the county,
telling them TO look out for a little girl
who had been kidnapped by tramps or gyp-
sizes. He then ordered his horse to be
brought round aud. after insisting on his
wife and the three bows sitting down 10
dinner, rode OFT down the Ascot road with
q groom. He had hardly, however, gone
a couple of miles when he heard some.
body gallopiug after him. and. looking
around, saw the little Duke coming up
on his pony, with his face yerv flushed
and no hat. "Im awfully sorry, Mr..
Otis" gasped out the boy, but / can't
eat any dinner az long as Virginia is lost.
Please, don't be angry with me; if you
bad let us been engaged last year there
would never have been all this trouble.
You won't send me back, Will you? l
can't go won't 90 !"
The minister could not help smiling at
the handsome young scapeCrace. and vas
r good deal touched at his devotion 10
Virginia, 90 leaning down from his horse
he patted him on the shoulders and said:
"Well, Cecil, ii you won't 20 back | sup
pose you must come with me, and ! must
get you hat at ascot"
"Oh, bother NV hat. I want Virginia.
cried the little Duke, laughing, and they
galloped on TO the railway station. There
Mr.. Otis inquired of the station master il
any one answering to the description OF
Virginia had been seen on the platform
but could get no news OF her. The station
master, however, wired up and down the
a bot - foh
would be kept for her, and, after having
bought hat for the little Duke from a
linen draper, who was just putting up
his shutters, 1lr. Otis rode of 10 BeXley,
village about four miles away
which he was told was a we'll Known
haunt OF the gypsles, as there was Il
large common next to 10. Here they
reused up the rural policeman, but could
get no information from him, and, after
riding all over the common they turned
their horses heads homeWard, and reached
the Chase about Il O'Clock dead tired and
almost heartbroken. They found Wash
ington and the twins waiting for them at
the gate house with lanterns, as the ave-
nue. was very dark. Not the slightest
trace Of Virginia had been discovered.
The gypsies had been caught on Brockley
meadows. but she was not with them, and
tuTe by saving that they had mistaken
the date OF Chorto fair, and had gone of
in a hurry for fear they might be late. IN
deed, they hal been quite distressed at
hearing OF Nirginia's disappearance, as
they were very grateful 10 Mr.. Otis for
having allowed them TO camp in his park,
and four OF their number had STAYED be-
hind 70 help in the search. The carp pond
had been dragged, and the whole Chase
thoroughly gone over, but without any
result. Ii was evident that, for that night
az any rate, Virginia vas lost 20 them
and it was in a state OF the deepest de-
preston that Mr.. Otis and the BOYS walked
up to the house, the groom following be-
hind with the two horses and the pony.
In the hall they found q group OF fright
ened servants, and lying on a sofa in the
library was poor Mrs. Otis, almost out of
her mind with terror and anxiety and
having her forehead bathed with eau de
cologne by the old housekeeper. Mr..
Otis at once insisted on her having some
thing TO eat, and ordered up supper Tor
the whole party. 1t was a melancholy
meal, as hardly any one spoke, and even
the twins were awestruck and subdued,
as they were very fond OF their sister.
When thew had finished Mr. Otis. in
splte OF the entTeaties OF the little duke,
ordered them all 10 bed, saying that moth
ing more could be done that night. and
that he would telegraph in the morning
70 Scotland Yard tor some detectives
20 be cent down Immediately.
Just as they were passing out Of
the dining room midnight began to boom
from the clock tower. and when the last
stroke sounded they heard crash and a
sudden shrill cry. dreadful peal OF ihun-
der filled the house a strain of unearthly
music bOated through the air, q panel at
the top OF the staircase flew back with a
loud noise, and out on the landing, look
ing very pale and white, with little
casket in her hand. stepped Virginia In
q moment they had all rushed up to her.
Mrs Otis ciasDed her passionatsly in her
arms, the duke smothered her with vio-
lent kisses and the twins executed a wild
war dance around the group.
Good heavens child, where have You
been p said Mr. Otis. rather angriiy, think
ing that she had been playing some fool
lsh trick on them. Cecil and / have
been riding all over the country looking
for you, and your mother has been fright
ened 20 death. You must never play
these practical jokes any more"
Except on the ghost except on the
ehostp shrieked the twins, as they ca
pered about.
Ny own darling; thank God you are