The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1903-01-31


hands. 81 thought something had
happened to mother or to Waldemar,
or the lad. l thought-you can't tell
how much you have relieved nv
mind. Only the money. Please don't
brighten me that way again."
cit seemed to me the worst thing
in the world
"Why?"
Because you might suspect me-
or-or some one in the house. 1
haven't an idea where it is, but I
know it's gone"
"Well, it does rather complicate
matters. | suppose I'll have to stay
until you find it,"
II suppose SO, and that's worse
than all.''
you're very complimentary"
laughed Miss Dacres. 'Wen, of
course you can understand that 1
cannot afford to go away without
my money. l was counting on that
to pay my board for ever so long.
You can see that, can't you?'
"9es, | can see that, of course.
You don't think for moment that 1
have taken it, do you?" 1 cried, the
tears coming to my eyes.
'Your face is as good as a Trust
Company" said she, laughing and
showing her white teeth. "No, /
should never dream of accusing you.
In fact, l think it's dreadful to ac-
cuse anyone. Have you any plan to
go upon?"
"No." said I, unless 1 consult the
police"
81 wouldn't do that yet" said she.
Perhaps it's only mislaid. My idea
is that the old lady above stairs took
it to brighten you"
"She couldn't get it," said I. "She
can't get out of her bed alone"
ooh, can't she? Tell that to the
marine-I mean, l do not agree with
you. She has given me evidence
enough this morning that she can
and will get out of bed when oc-
casion offers"
'Absurd!' said /. "You don't
know Aunt Jane Mary"
"And I'm sure you don't" said she.
what do you mean?"
ooh, nothing" said she.
"Well, you'll have to remain, sup
pose, for the present." said l.
III see about that" she answered.
"It depends on how you treat me.
I'm sure I'm very good to stay when
| hadn't done anything to cause you
such distrust of me-
II must have your room swept to-
morrow" said J.. "Can you go out
for while?"
Il don't know why my room should
be swept tomorrow. I've been here
only "a hours all told. Besides, 1
don't want that little vixen''-she
nodded her head towards the kitchen
in my ROOM"
You came so suddenly, and your
shoes, you remember, were muddy"
| thought she gave an impatient jerk
OF the shoulders at my remark, but
she said nothing.
NO, l can't sweep your room to-
morrow, after all. | must go to the
funeral. | forgot that
Whose? Oh, yes, l know"
At about six o'clock l came down
and found the parlor door open and
the sun streaming in. Astonished at
the freedom of some one, l knew
not who, | went in at the door.
There I found Mr. Beldon sitting,
reading the Star Union. He jumped
up as | came in, and stood while 1
said:
Are you ready for your tea now?"
Yes said he, that's what I'm
waiting for" 1 preceded him into
the dining-room, where light meal
had been laid. He seated himself,
like!" and fell to.
You seem to have got over your
horror of my boarder," said l, to
make conversation.
How is that?" said he, looking up
quickly.
"Why, when I drove past here this
morning, going to the Hall, l saw you
apparently in deep conversation with
her.
WAS that your other boarder? l
thought it was one of the family. 1
asked her how soon she thought you
would get back
"she said you posed as the lock-
smith,"
"Oh, no! she couldn't have said
that"
''Well, she said she thought you
were the locksmith."
That's different matter. Very
complimentary, I'm sure. Now, an
other cup of that nice tea, and I'm
off to old Haight's dungeon. You
don't know how he works us fell
lows"
! saw him run lightly down the
steps in the dusk, jump on his
wheel, and spin down the road. I
went into his room. He had been
on the bed, but not in it. 1 called
Glorianna to help me tidy the room.
There were bits of newspaper lying
about and scraps of letter-paper,
with Star Union at the top and parts
of articles such as young men write,
OF as / suppose they write, for the
daily journals