Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1900-06-06

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lose moment
THAT evening the director Of tn.
gardens was to hold an at home. de
cided to go, to confide in the director
1t came to me like an inspiration tha,
the Thug plant might be in the gar
iens. found the directors house
,rowded-it was an Old-fashioned place
partly in the gardens. When the hos1
saw the urgency Of my case, he ar
,anged with some special friends te
take his place in entertaining the
guests. Then he listened patiently tc
all had to say. making particular in
luiries concerning the Thug plant.
1--WE have a specimen he said. III
you come with me, we will obtain more
Information about it.
! I'm a few moments we had crossed
Kew Green and entered the herbarium,
having with us the curator, one of the
guests. We consulted there q ponder
ous book and read all about the Thug
liant and its properties. Then we went
% department containing a multitude
I If drawers, labeled and numbered. An
envelope, or capsule was produced. Az
he curator opened 1t l exclaimed:
That's 1t! l smell it from here!
Has any one lately inquired about
his plant?" asked the director.
THE curator again consulted the
books.
There Is an entry here-yes, Col
,nel - called, made special in
luiries about the Thug plant, and was
AIKEN to see it in the palmhouse.'
"The director asked its number.
"'Nine thousand and sixty-three,'
was the reply.
I'VE will go to the palm house, said
he director. and have a look at nine
thousand and sixty-three and see If 1t
las been disturbed. l believe 1t is a
good size. 1t Is some time since 1 saw
I on its arrival
He procured a dark lantern and the
Key to the palm house. We started for
t. The director told me what he knew
If the colonel and his family. 1t had
occurred to me many times how little
he girl resembled the colonel. She
vas his step-daughter. I was now told.
The directors wife knew the girls
mother. She had married a second
lime. In Il few months on coming Of
age the girl would inherit a considera-
DIE fortune-the reverslon Of her prop
,rty in case Of her death would be to
he mother-'and that said the direc-
or, means the colonel
I'VE were going through the herba-
.eous garden and just emerged into an
avenue when we saw figure passing
.apidly into the cypress walk.
"'Who's thatY said the director in q
ow tone.
1.-The colonelv 1 answered, grasping
ais arm.
"'What is he aboutY he asked.
"'Let us follow said. and careful
y. He may be after the plant
Down through the avenue of cypress
rees we kept the colonel's shadow in
view. Then we watched him passing
along the margin Of the ornamental
water. The shrill cry Of startled sea
gull made us clutch one another.
".Let us stand here said the direc
.or. We can watch the house WELL
d
with rapid strides, made for the great
house of glass. He had to cross a wide.
insheltered space. MY companion mao
lad his doubts. but the identity Of the
igure was now too clear.
Its her he calculated.
"The colonel went round to . side en-,
rance. We glided round also to keep
lin in view.
why said the director, he's In
without a keyl Some one has been
,ribed. We will 60 to the opposite
loor know where the plant is
I'VE went. Outside the door we re-
moved our boots. Taking them with
is. we crept in like burglars.
In a few moments we reached the
DOT of n winding iron stairway, partly
hidden by creeping plants and the sur
.ounding palms and shrubs. We as
ended noiselessly.
Presently the director caught my
urn, stopped me and pointed below.
There was the colonel. He was leaning
lgainst a palm trunk looking down in
emily at bush covered with q white
10th.
For five hours we remained there,
stirring only to ease our positions.
LAS morning approached we saw the
colonel look at his watch. which he had
lone many times, then remove the
Dandage from the plant, fold 1t, place II
N what was plainly an oilskin case and
out it in his pocket. He left 1t as
stealthily as he came in. So did we.
I'VE followed him to his house. He
opened the door with a latchkey.
Before he could close 1t we were on
the step. He had no time to refuse US
admittance.
"'Colonel,' said the director, we must
speak to you
Why nowT he answered.
HE was shaking with fear. The sur
prise was too much for him. He STAN
mered, lost his voice and presently lost
control of his muscles also. He recog
nized the director, and doubtless he
knew me also. We held him each by an
arm, brought him into the dining-rOom
and put him in a chair. He was In q
pitiful condition. 1 saw what was com
ing on; 1t was paralysis Of the brain.
II need not say that his stepdaughtei
recovered. I believe she is gossipina
with the directors wife at this moment
When she returns, presently. I'll intro
duce you. She's my wife. fe."IWaverleY
The greater tho truth. the create,
the libel.