Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1899-01-26
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came with it was the whistle was
glad to see it and glad to hear that
was not left entirely without protection
i'll my somewhat hazardous enterprise.
The events of the morning had been
so unexpected that till this moment
had forgotten my early determination TO
go TO my room before any change there
could De made. Recalling it now, ]
started for the staircase and did not stop,
though heard Hannah behind, calling
me. The consequence was that / came
! full tilt upon Miss Knollys coming
down the hall with tray in her hand.
All, l cried; "some one sick in the
house?''
The attack was too sudden. saw her
recoil and for one instant hesitate before
replying. Then her natural self posses
sion came to her aid and she placidly
remarked:
1--WE were all up to late hour last
night, as you know. 1t was necessary
for US to have some food.
i accepted the explanation and made
no further remarks but as had caught
sight on the tray of the half eaten por-
ton of certain dish we had had for
breakfast l reserved to myself the privi-
lege of doubling it's exact truthfulness.
To me the sight of this partially con-
sumed breakfast was proof positive Of
there being in the house some person of
whose presence l was supposed to be
ignoFant-not pleasant thought under
the circumstances, but quite an i'm
portant fact to have established l felt
that in this one discovery had clutched
the thread that would yet lead me out
of the labyrinth of this mystery.
Miss Knollys, who was on her way
down stairs, called Hannah to take the
tray and, coming back, beckoned me
toward door opening into one of the
front rooms.
"This is to be your room," said she,
"but / do not know that can move you
today"
II She was so calm, so perfectly mistress
Of herself, that / could not but admire
her. Lucetta would have flushed and
fidgeted, but Loreen stood as erect and
placid as if no trouble weighed upon
her heart and the words were as unim-
portant in their characteras they seemed.
"Do not distress yourself" said l..
81 told Lucetta last night that was
perfectly comfortable and had no wish
to change my quarters. / am sorry you
should have thought it necessary to dis
turb yourself on my account last night.
Don't do it again, pray you. A WON
an like myself had rather put herself to
some slight Inconvenience than move "
II am much obliged to you," said
she and came at once from the door
don't know but after all like Lucet-
ia S fidgety ways as well as this unmov-
ed self possession.
"Shall 1 order the coach for you?'
she suddenly asked as l turned toward
the corridor leading to my room.
"The coach?" L repeated. .
II thought that perhaps you might
like to ride into town. Mr.. Simsbury is
at leisure this morning. regret that
neither Lucetta nor myself will be able
to accompany you.
| thought what this same Mr.. Sims
bury had said about Lucettas plan and
hesitated 1t was evidently their wish
to have me spend my morning elsewhere
than with them. Should l humor them
Or find excuses for remaining home.
Either course had it's difficulties. If /
went, what might not take place in my
absence. If / remained, what suspicious
might rouse. decided to compromise
matters and start for town even if did
not quite go there.
81 am hesitating," said /, because
Noticed when twas standing at the gate
with your brother two or three rather
threatening looking clouds toward the
east. But If you are sure Mr.. Simsbury
Jan be spared think will risk it, ]
really would like to get key for my
loor, and then riding in the country is
10 pleasant. "
Miss Knollys, with a bow, passed i'm
nediately down stairs. Invent in state
IF some doubt toward my own room.
Am / seeing all these things through
highly magnifying glasses?" thought L
thought it very possible, yet not so
possible but that I cast very curious
dances at the various closed doors !
lad to pass before reaching my own.
such little thing would make me feel
ike trying them. Such little thing
hat is, added to the other things which
lad seemed to me in any way unex-
lainable.
I found ray bed made and everything
apple pie order. / had therefore moth
ng to do but prepare for going out.
his did quickly and was down stairs
Joper perhaps than was expected. At
Il events, William and Lucetta parted
cry suddenly when they saw me, she
tears and he with logged shrug
nd some such word as this:
you're fool to take on so. Since
's got to be, the sooner the better, i
~. Don't you see that every minute
lakes less our chances of concealment?"
1t .made me feel like changing my
ind and staying home. But the habit
lifetime is not easily broken into
kept to my first decision.
CHAPTER XII.
MEN, WOMEN AND GHOSTS.
Mr.. Simsbury gave me quite an ami
bic bow as entered the coach. This
ade it easy for me to say:
"You are ON hand early this morn