The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1894-03-23

| fortnight, If all goes on well
Iinna had heard all this the day
! before, but she assented without CON-
,penr and the two ladies went theli
| separate ways, each under some fe-
straint In the afternoon Cicely uro'e
| off alone to the hospital. and Mlhila,
whom the mystery she felt but dld BOT
understand was working up into hiSh-
| lv nervous state. was left to heT oHH
reflections.
The Young girl felt intensely renewed
whom the front door bell rang ANY
visitor, no matter how much Of bore
bn or She might be considered at anoth-
nr time would be welcome to break
tha painful m0notony of the unoushis
which oppressed her. IT was WIN -,
exclamation Of surprise, not mlh5ieu
with disnaay, however. iiiat Sie 81"
thn door open to admit her uncle, MT
William Bennington ana AlSS iilln'
The meeting with the former proved
much less embarrassing thah hiih',
mad expected Mr.. Remington seriiitu
relieved rather than dlsappoihlru 70
hear that Cicely was out: ana rs Mlllht
was not above the meanness OF iiattcr,
ing him. they got on extremely wen
together.
II am quite glad to have this oppor-
tunitv Of consulting you about 'iccls'
said the young Girl with polltr deltt-
euce. but with some nervousness Shc
had resolved upon the bold step OF tax
ing her uncle fully into her confidence.
And forthwith she gave him Il deScrlp-
ton OF her experience # the last two
nights: her following ticely downstairs.
the strange noises she had heard in the
cellar. and lastly her meeting with
Cicely. when the latter appeared TO
hp in 4 somnambuliStic condition. She
had argued with herself rapidly before
giving this account, that ii could DO no
harm. since her uncle. as Il member
of the family. would certainly be silent
concerning anything discredltable TO =,
while. en- the other hand. this proof OF
Cicely's distress of. mind would N any
case soften him toward her.
But her narration had Il much strong
or effect upon him than She had expect
ed Mr.. Bennington was shrcWd enough
to couple it instantly with the fact OF
Joseph Radstock's disappearance, aud
it was with difficulty that he subdued
his intense curiosity and excitement
sufficiently to listen quietly 10 the end
of Minnas recital
Algy Hurst also heard the story with
much interest, though for 1 far less
serious reason.
Why. Miss Berrngton,' he cried.
when She had ended. Il believe | can
give you an explanation of that. DO
YOU remember Dukes taking us down,
il few evenings ago, when the vanish
ing clerk was dining hera'-Mr. Ber-
rington grew suddenly attentive
down into the cellar and showing Us 4
little underground room where some
choice wine had lain bricked up and
for years
Minna was noticing With surprised
attention the expression Of her uncle's
face. Suddenly he arose 10 his feet,
unable any longer To control his excite
menr.
Il think" he said. in solemn tones,
that the best thing we can do is TO eX-
plore the cellar during her absence,
and see'-he paused. for his ice was
trembling Il little i'll his excitement
"and see whether there is any ps ssibil-
ity of her harmins herself on these
leep-walking expeditions. Fetch me
the cellar key, my deas,' said he to
Minna.
And the girl did not dare even to en-
tertain the thought Of diSobayn2 him,
or OF feigning not to know where II
was So she stole mp the stairs guilt
ily. but returned in very few mo-
ments announcin. with pale lips. that
it was not in its usual place.
she must have hid it, said Mr..
Bennington shortly.
They all felt that the matter Was
growing more serious.
The elder man led The way toward
the cellar stairs, having evidently learn
cd from Algy which way to turn.
What are you going to do Minna
ventured to ask in a faltering voice
Pick or force the lock-" answered
her uncle. shortly.
She did not dare to remonstrate, ex-
cept by long drawn breath of amaze
ment 1T this high handed proceeding.
1t was the most intense relief that,
when the two gentlemen We're already
halfway down the stone steps, she
heard the carriage wheels outside, fol
lowed Immediately by a ring She
rushed back through the hall and met
Ciceiy as the latter entered.
OH cried the girl in a voice full
Of contrition, I'm So glad you've
ccme. Dragging her sis er-in-law
along in the direction of the cellar
staircase. out Of earshot Of tn. servants,
she whispered rapidly: Our uncle is
here-Mr. William Bennington. He is
going doWn-to the cellarI'
In II moment Cicely'S face. grcU gray
She tottered and swayed as if all her
strength was suddenly gone. But as
Minna put out her arms to support her,
the elder woman thrust her aside, and
recovering her powers. reached the bot
tom Of the stone staircase before the
girl had even time to turn round
Mr.. Rerringtons hands We're already
busy with the lock Cicely, with a yiO-