The new era. (Walden, Colo.) 1906-19??, 1907-07-11
The Mystery
Carney-Croft
By
JOSEPH BROWN COOKE
Copyright. 1907. by Story Pres. ",rporaaonl
CHAPTER xv.-contInued.

MdCArQel put neT through d COuESc VI
spouts that made a strong, hearty man
faint away twice, and yet she never
said a word nor moved muscle"
How delightfully."- Interestingly" said
Kiss Weston. 81 should never have
dreamed from her appearance that
she had so much fortitude. What could
DR.. MacArdel have done that was so
thrilling?"
"Oh, he didn't do MUCH" returned.
HE just asked some questions about
thu things that had been going on but
he did it in a way that was very ef-
sective. We wanted to learn who wrote
tbs mysterious note that l had receiv-
ed on the night of my arrival. We
found out that she did it, but it was
only by chance and not through any
thing that she told us. If she had ;
been little more clever in delivering
tn. other l am afraid we would be
In the dark about it yet
"And so this Mrs. Bruce really wrote
them both, did she?" asked Miss Wes-
ton, with continued interest. What
horrible creature she must be-"
81 don't believe she is exactly horri-
ble," ! said, cautiously, but she GER
tainly wrote the second note, and who
ever wrote that one must have written ,
the first as we'll"
wouldn't it be interesting II some
more would GOMEZ" cried Miss Wes-
ton, enthusiastically. II think 1t
would be the greatest fun in the
world"
You might change your mind if it
with
These things are well enough after
they are explained, but before that
time, they strike one rather seriously,
as know from experience"
We'll. I'd be willing to try 1t just
for once" said Miss Weston, conf
IDENTIFY. I'm simply crazy to see what
real good mystery is like at first
i, band"
AS / CHANGED to move my plate a
folded paper was disclosed and l
hastily slipped it into my lap and
read 1t surreptitiously. 1t said:
You have not kept Miss Carney and
her friends away. Do not be surprised
If the ghosts return
your wish is granted, Miss Wes-
ton," l exclaimed. holding it up in my
hand. Here is one of the spook notes
this very minute. 1t is under my
plate"
"Oh, do let me take it," she entreat-
ed, and 1 passed it to her by way of
Miss Carney, who read it thoughtfully
before handing it to her friend.
The moment Miss Watson saw the
paper a most unaccountable thing &C.
Cured Her face blanched and she
swayed in her seat for an instant as
If in danger of falling, but regaining
her self-control in another moment, she
exclaimed:
How silly am! This ridiculous
note made me quite. dizzy for minute.
Where did you say you found it, Mr..
Ware? Under your plate, here at the
table? Why, some one must be play
ing joke on us ALI"
mo doubt" returned. watching her
closely. But 1t may prove to be very
serious joke. You see, thing of this
kind is more startling than one would
expect. I've grown rather used to 1t
myself, but you seem to be quite up
set over it."
ooh, it's just for the moment" said
Miss Weston, with a forced laugh. g!
dldn't get much sleep last night and
this thing came on me so suddenly
and unexpectedly that it quite took my
breath away"
A moment later she left the table on
some trivial pretext, and Miss Carney
called the butler, who had left us to
our coffee before this conversation be-
gan, and questioned him closely as to
the affairs of the morning. He said that
he had laid the plates himself not long
before we came down to breakfast and
that while he had not been in the room
all the time he was positive that no
one could have entered without his
knowledge.
at looks as IL you must have slip
ped it U4der your plate yourself Mr..
Ware" said Miss Carney in a banter
ing tone that Ill betokened her true
frame of mind. There doesn't seem
t. be any other explanation. And do
you really think the ghosts will come
back again? shall not let you go away
until they are permanently suppressed.
You may be sure"
81 know l appear to be guilty." l re-
piled with laugh, "but I assure you
am not. You are merely having a taste
of the same mysterious phenomena
that l myself saw here last summer.
cannot say whether the ghosts will re-
turn or not, but l scarcely think they
will. If they do, we know where to
go to discourage them"
But how do you suppose the note
was placed under your plate?" asked
Miss Carney, in an anxious tone. 81
don't like this sort of thing at all! 1t
makes me dreadfully nervous"
z, Il haven't the slightest idea" said.
frankly, But l am sure we will find