Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1899-05-20

till tomorrow evening. No-till the day
after. for Uncle John has informed me
that am expected to dine out with him
tomorrow"
There was no time for further speech
between brother and sister, for Uncle
John appeared at that moment, and they
separated.
CHAPTER III.
Tomorrow evening" had come. Nab,
Dick and Caroline were installed at I'm.
Gle Johns, and each of them felt more or
less unsettled and restless, their usual &C.
equations being interrupted and their
freedom restricted. For Uncle John kept
q pretty sharp watch In a quiet way over
their doings whenever they stayed at his
house, and the young people were secretly
assured Of this. Nevertheless NAB expe.
rienced some relief ut her stern fathers
absence; but she did wish that they had
all been left at home.
1t was about seven o'clock when, as
Nab was crossing the hall, dressed for the
evening meal which she supposed she was
to share tete-a-tete with her elder sister,
Dick rushed downstairs and caught Mab's
arm.
"Mab," he cried, I'm In a pretty pickle
will you help me out Of Il? Uncle John
has just Informed me that have to sleep
a. well a. dine at Lord Bilstone's tonight
and uncle himself IL not going, after al;
he has touch Of the govt. The carriage
will be round In Eve minutes, 20 I shall
have no time to help myself out Of the
hobble."
Uncle not goingw exclaimed Nab.
well. tell me at once. dear Dick, what
You wish me to do; you know would do
anything In the world that you wanted"
"Oh, Nab, you are darlingw returned
Dick gratefully. "Weli. I shall get into
an awful row II don't ask you to do this
for me, NAB! I've left uncle's box of dies
for bis fishing down BY the pool. do get
II In before morning."
THAT WILL" said Nab. earnestly; but
oh, how could you take it2"
Because ! was . vcnturesome young
fool" he answered penitently.
"Shall be sure to find the box?" asked
Nab. uneasily.
"Quite sure. left II behind the boat
house, under the clump Of dock leaves.
You will End Il, though nobody else would
think of looking there"
I'll be sure to get II, Dick" whispered
Nab, hurriedly, a. the noise Of wheels
coming up to the front entrance became
audible. "And, Oh" she added, her voice
thrilling with the deep excitement which
she had for 10 many hours suppressed. II
have so much to tell you, Dick! You
must manage to get half IN hour with me
to.morrow-don't let Uncle John or any.
body prevent It."
"Al rightw said Dick, confidently; and
II was oil that he had time to utter, for
just then Caroline appeared on the stair.
case and Uncle John opened bis library
door, saying, sharply:
Don't keep the horses waiting. Dick!
The animals bolt on every possible coca.
sion."
Twilight had fallen out Of doors before
Nab found an opportunity to leave the
house, but there was no real darkness. II
would be the easiest thing possible to find
her way to the boat house. NAB thought;
but she must 20 at once, for II anything
detained her the servant might fasten the
doors before her return. The girl was
well aware that at that time Of year doors
and windows would be open for another
hour at least; she knew, however, that
she ran some risk, but for that she was
prepared.
In Q minute she had wrapped around
her thin, dark mantle: the next she was
stealing downstairs, and at the risk OF
meeting her dreaded uncle she passed
through the marble hall out Into the sum.
mer twilight.
How sweet the air was! But Mabel did
not linger to enjoy Its delicious fragrance.
Aware Of the Importance Of utilizing ev.
cry moment, she sped across the lawn,
which was now shrouded In pleasant
gloom. 1t wONld not take many minutes
to run to the meadow by the short cut that
she knew.
There was sunkcn fence dividing the
flower garden from the small park beyond,
and Mab was about to lot herself down
upon the dewy grass, when the odOr Of Q
cigar was borne to her upon the air, and
the outline OF mans form reclining on
q garden seat caught her eye.
Not six PAGES from the spot where she
was sat her uncle. and Nab stood still
only just IN time to avoid detection.
How should she ever get to the boat
house now? She dared not advance, Il
was perilous to remain where she was,
and she might be discovered In retreating.
Oh, II she had guessed her uncle's where
abOuts. she could easily have reached the
boat house by the back route!
The trembling girl stepped toward
spreading laurel, where she could shift
her position undetected when her uncle
should rise to 90 indoors; ind then she
waited for her opportunity.
About quarter Of an hour elapsed
while she was In this uncomfortable stu.
alton, the girls frightened gaze being riv-
eted on her uncle In the increasing gloom.
NI~As~ ~ IL. Il A. Il.