The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-03-09

things in Pettover-and I lifted the lid
and put my hand into the corner in
which l had placed them. It was quite
empty-the packet had gOnei
1 could hardly believe my eyes. must
have put them somewhere else in5Iny
sleep; and hastily L began to searchhhe
few drawers and cupbOards my rooms
contained. No; they had vanished as
completely as if they had never been.
l went to the door and called my land
lady to tell her of my loss, though I had
no hope of getting any information from
her. One had only to look IN her face
to see that in that mass OF vacant stu
pidity there was no room for curiosity
or even common intelligence.
Has any one been in, asked, while
I've been Out2'
Not nobody. as I knows en-" she re-
piled, with her mouth open.
Have you been in all ths EVENING"
I went on in desperation.
Me? Lor' no, sir. I've been up at the
Red 'Ouse 'avin' a bit O supper with our
Martha Alice
Did you lock the door when you
went out2"
Me? Lor', no, sir. We never lock the
doors afore bedtime There's no one. as
I'D break in l. Pettover-let alone there
bein nothin to take
'.Wen. they've found something at
last" said But what they want
with a parcel Of old letters beats me.
Do you suppose they took them for
bank notes?'' And then I stopped sud
denly, for I remembered some one who
did want those letters
Mrs. Leach stopped and picked up a
large sheet of paper from under a chair
by the door, and haded it to me with a
grunt.
rs this something O. yours?'' she
asked; and I took it in my hand. It was
the last page of a song. read the
words of the refrain:
And a girl never looks at one-and-nine
With a possible two-and-three."
Oh, Melinda, Melinda
., id 1a11rssia d11v ftff,a-ifsc M IF
of a hymn 1 was singing to myself-a
kind Of requiem. Mrs. Leach, don't
bother any more about the letters: it
doesn't really matter; they were worth
nothing" This was true in more senses /
than one.
Mrs. Leach went heavily down the
passage and was left alone.
+ had ample time for reflection during
the long hours before morning, and soon
made up my mind what to do. 1t
seemed to me that owed a duty to my
self. had resolved, much against my
will, to be generous to Melinda, but she
had forestalled me with a little plan of
her own. Now 1 said to myself, 7
shall play for my own hand.
walked boldly up to the Red House
and asked for Melinda. noticed as 1
went through the hall that the linoleum
was worn threadbare, and that the stair
carpets were in the same Woful plight
otherwise the place was much as 1t
had been two years ago. Melinda's twin
sisters met me in the hall. They We're
seventeen, and almost as pretty as she
was herself. Margaret was surprised to
see me. and held out a plump, unwilling
hand.
John" she cried-"you?''-
Yes" I said, st is john You need
mt try to hide the extreme pleasure you |
feel at my presence. quite unaer-
stand your feelings. Will you tell Me
linda that / wish to see her alone2
Margaret gathered her scattered wits. |
Melinda is out" she said sweetly; and |
my heart sank. am afraid 1 was long
ing for the fray. / turned to go; but L /
was wise enough at this moment to look |
over my mead. Melinda was hanging !
over the banisters, listening with evil |
dent interest to our lively conversation /
Il think you must be mistaken" I |
mur1nured politely. Melinda is just |
coming down.
She descended with hanging head and |
burning cheeks, and after short but I
animated discussion found myself I
alone with her in the dilapidated old /
school room. I shut the door. and I
crossed to where she stood by the Win |
Il congratulate you on your success
I said
Melinda evidently expected more.
'sWhat-what do you mean2" she fall |
tered. What success"
I smiled. your success IN getting rid |
of your headache, of course You look 1
wonderfully we'll this morning.
She didn't quite understand whether /
she was SaIe or not Sne tOolNeu up III
quiringly- Had I found out yet2 Did
I suspect? She didn't venture to speak,
but she turned on the irresistible smile.
II am glad you are quite we'll" / said
cooily, for I am afraid you viii ind I
ahve to say a little trying. You had
better sit down.
Melinda looked frightened She seated
herself on the arm Of the big untidy sofa
and kicked nervously at the floor. She
had small feet, and always wore such
pretty shoes
Listen to me- said gravelys Be |