Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-12
ACHILLY NIGHT.
Ry BELLE MosEs.

Yes" said Mr. Duncan. Jack and Marcia
might lust as well go to the big house and
give 1t an airing. Young people like to
prowl around, and 1 daresay my city quar-
tiers will hold many surprises for these
cot utry MICE and he smiled across at
Jacl and pulled one of Marcia's long, dark
curls. 44g
So 1t vas arranged that they were to go to
New Y,rk Gin style" as they called 1t,
and stay In Mr.. Duncan's beautiful house
for a few days. before going up town to
Aunt Marthr IS modest apartment, which
| would be their home during the busy
school term. 1-r
The Duncans had been boarding with
the Mlddletons during the summer. and had
taken great fancy to Jack and Marcia.
They won't be alone In the house." Mr..
Duncan explained to their mother. ''Our
old housekeeper is there; she has been with
us for twenty years, and she is quite like
one Of the family I'll telegraph James,
| the coachman, to meet them with the car
riage, and they can enjoy themselves to
their hearts content
Jack and Marcia were wild with excite
ment, and could scarcely believe their
senses when they found themselves in the
Duncans elegant cushioned carriage, roll
ing up 9Th avenue, and when the liveried
house, they could not resist pinching each
other to make sure that they were really
there.
They were too tired and happy to do more
than revel In grandeur the first night. They
dined in almost royal state, eating delicious
and indescribable things from the daintiest
china, drinking out of sparkling cut glass.
and altogether feeling like a prince and
| princess of Fairyland.
They went to sleep in such elegance as
| they had never imagined, being used to
good, plain bed rooms, with mo frills''-as
Jack put it. But they took 1t all quite nat
urally, and slept the sleep of tired youth,
under the silk and fine linen.
All the next day they spent exploring.
Mr.. Duncan had written his housekeeper to
place the keys at their disposal, and they
had roamed at will, among the treasures of
the great house. There were still many
| rooms to be examined when James took
them for afternoon drive and when
they got back, feeling very festive and
ner. and the whole of long, happy even
ing before them, for more explorations.
Lets go up in the attic said Jack,
there must be hooks and corners up there
worth seeing. Punch your light as you
CO." for nothing entertained them more
than pressing the electric buttons and see
ing the Nominations
What a queer cool place this u.s." said
Marcia, shivering a little as Jack unlocked
one of the doors, and a gust Of wind swept
out to them.
Jack poked his head in and turned on a
light.
"Oh, it's where they keep the furs and
rugs and things during the summer. Come
in and see the seal-skin jackets hanging in
a row. By jove! There goes the door
slam! Now we're in a pickle-the keys are
on the outside" and the two stood In the
middle of the room staring helplessly at
each other.
Jack ran to the door and ratified 1t.
1.-THE servants rooms are somewhere
around, but I'm sure they're asleep at this
hour said Marcia.
Looks as if we were in for a night Of It,
observed Jack. How silly Of me to leave
the keys on the outside!"
Il wouldn't mind If 1t wasn't so cold"
and Marcia shivered again.
Put on a jacket suggested Jack. help
ing himself to fur-lined overcoat. Marcia
got into the Jacket, fastening high storm
collar up to her ears. Jack put on a fur
cap, so did Marcia, then they wrapped theit
feet in rugs, for the room seemed to get
colder and colder.
Il wouldn't be surprised to see snow fall
Ing" said Marcia, reaching out for muff
which hung conveniently near.
oh! throw me one" called Jack. with
chatterng teeth, my fingers are numb"
But they couldn't sit still. it was too cold
I'VE must keep moving declared Jack
"or We'll freeze in our tracks"
1T seems queer, with the room shut UP 10
well. 1t wasn't so cold downstairs, I'm
afraid / have chill" said Marcia. What
we going to do?"
THE servants are certainly out of hear
ing answered Jack. well have to wait
until morning, that's ALL
And wait they did; two wild-eyed little
ghosts, packed up in furs and tramping the
floor all night long. for fear of freezing
When day came, they listened eagerly for
the first signs of rising. Jack stood by the
door rafting the knob and beating on the
panel. But the now terrified children no.
ticed that the sound was muffied.
Suddenly the door flew open and a rush
of hot air came into the place that almost
staggered them. Mrs. O'Reilly, the house
keeper stood the threshold, her hands
clasped in dsmay.
Land sakes!" she cried lis it here you've
been all the night?"
She gave them no time to answer, but
hurried them out as fast as she could She
children to the library, where a log fire was
hastily kindled, and hot drinks brewed with
all possible speed. while Jack and Marcia
were too exhausted to ask questions.
By and by, however, when they were both
rolled up in blankets, and the color had
crept back into their faces, Jack ventured
to inquire where they had spent the night
Sure" said Mrs. .O'Reilly, laughing
broadly. now that all anxiety was over lin
the cOld-storage room, where the ther-
mometer is kept below freezing point It's
a mercy 1 CHANGED to pass in the hall, an
saw the keys danglin'" and the jolly face
went grave again.
Didn't you hear US knocking and call
ing?" asked Marcia.
Never a word. they shut out everything
but the freeZin' from the cold storage room
Now go to bed, you'll need a days sleep to
rest you up
And they went meekly tired in mind and
body, after their chilly night
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