The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-11-07
TCoDyrizht 9Oe. the Bobns Merrill Coz
Continued


Home tomorrow" l exclaimed. Il
thought he wasn't to come till
Wednesday"
Mrs. Bowser looked little uncom-
Portable.
q guess he's old enough to come
and go when he likes" she said But
her flow of words seemed to desert
her.
Very true" l admitted. Il wonder
what's bringing him back in such
hurry"
Mrs. Bowser's beady eyes turned on
me in doubt and for a moment she
was dumb Then she followed this
miracle by another, and spoke in
low tone Of voice.
IT'S not for me to say anything
against a I<ln in his own house. but I
don't like to talk of Doddridge Knapp"
What's the matter?" | asked. a
little rough in his speech? oh. Mrs.
Bowser, you should make allowances
for man who has had to fight his
way in the toughest business life in
the world, and not expect too much of
his polish
"Oh, laws. he's polite enough"
whispered Mrs Bowser. 1T isn't that
oh, don't see how she ever married
him"
l followed the glance that Mrs
Bowser gave on interrupting herself
with this declaration, and saw Mrs.
Knapp approaching US.
oh she exclaimed cheerily, is it
cpft1ad9 Have va, r,,,Ja oil fba
engagements, Cousin Julia?"
Well, declare! I'd forgotten all
about telling him." cried Mrs. Bowser
IN her shrillest tone. I'D just taken
It for a fact that he'd know when to
come"
That's a litsle too much to expect
I'm afraid" said Mrs. Knapp, smil-
Ing gaily at Mrs. Bowser's manage
ment. Il see that l shall have to ar
range this thing myself Will Monday
night suit you, Henry?"
'As well as another. said l politely.
concealing my feelings as a victim of
feminine diplomacy.
You have told him who are going.
haven't you?" said Mrs. Knapp, to
Mrs. Bowser.
Laws. no! l never thought but
that he knew"
OH" exclaimed Mrs. Knapp What
a gift as a mindreader Mr.. Wilton
ought to have! Well, l suppose I'd
better not trust to that Henry.
There's to be Mrs. Bowser, of course.
and Mr. and Mrs. Carter, and Mr. Hor-
ton, and-oh, yes-Luella."
My heart gave a jump, and tho trip
to Chinatown suddenly became an OBJ
ject of interest
4 mama?" said an inquiring voice
and Luella herself stood by her mother
Yes" said Mrs. Knapp. It's the
Chinatown expedition for Monday
night"
LuClla looked annoyed. and tapped
her foot to the floor impauently
with Mr. Wilton" there was the
slightest emphasis on the words, &c
accompany the party, | shouldn't think
1t would be necessary for me to go"
ct is either you or l." said Mrs
Knapp.
You will be needed to protect Mr.
Horton" said I sarcastically.
"Oh, what a task" she said gaily
Il shall be ready" And she turned
away before l could put in anothe
word. and l walked down the room
with Mrs. Knapp.
And so Mr.. Knapp is coming hom
tomorrow" I said.
Mrs. Knapp gave me quick look.
Yes" she said. There was some
thing in her tone that set me TO think
Ing that there was more than l kney
behind Mr.. Knapp's sudden return.
Il hope he is not ILL., l said politely
Il think you will find him all RICH
when you see him. But here-yo
must meet Mr. and Mrs. Carter The
are just from the East, and yer,
charming people. and as you are to d
them the honors on Monday evening
you should know them"
Mr.. and Mrs. Carter had pleasan
faces and few ideas, and as the cor
versational fire soon burned low
sought Mrs. Knapp and took m
leave. Luella was nowhere to be seer
You must be sure that you ar
well guarded" said Mrs Knapp. i
quite gives me the terrors to thin
of those murderous fellows An
since you told me Of that last plot t
call you down to Borton's. I have
presentiment that some special DANCE
Is ahead of you. BE cautious as We
as brave"
! thanked her as she pressed m
hand, and, with no Lueua awaiting m
by the stair. l took my way down tn
stone steps, between the bronze lion,
and joined Porter and Barkhouse 0
the sidewalk
CHAPTER XVI.
An Echo Of Warnln5.