The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1907-07-04
HER MAN
FRIDAY
Copyright. by Joseph b. Bowies.)
By CAROLYN WELLS

othy Crusoe was proved by the ID. l..
on the trunk which was tumbled out
Of the baggage car at the same time
that the young lady was ceremonious-
ly assisted down the train steps by an
obsequious porter.
There were several traps and auto
mobiles waiting at the platform, and
Dorothy looked at them eagerly in
search of the friends who were to
meet her on her arrival.
But she saw none of the Glenns,
and with some surprise and a little
annoyance she turned to the station
master for help.
Can you tell me If any Of Mrs.
Glenn's people are about?" she said.
They are not, ma'am. Did you ex-
pect them to meet your"
Yes. But hey will probably come
soon. I'll wait"
The train was 20 minutes late,
Miss. If they're coming they should
be here by now
is their house far? How could ]
get there?"
It's a good three miles out in the
country. But you could take a hack"
Il think l will. There must have
been some misunderstanding. And
then, l may meet them or the road"
The hack, though not much to look
at, was comfortable enough, and Dor
othy, after an almost sleepless night
on the train, vas willing to close her
y e to the three miles Of scenery,
and only opened them to find herself
under the porte-cochere OF a large
country house.
Jumping out, she paid the driver
and dismissed him, and then paused
a moment on the veranda before ring
ing the door-bell.
The hackman drove off, and with a
little sigh of delight Dorothy turned
from the beautiful landscape and
rang the bell. Her ring was not i'm,
mediately answered, and she rang
again.
Again she rang-several times more
but still no M appeared, and the
silence became oppressive.
WELL" said she to herself, this is
a pretty state of things!"
Impulsively Dorothy seized the
doorknob and turned it, when to her
surprise the door opened readily.
We'll, of all things!" she cried.
But, at least there must be some.
body at home, or the front door would
have been locked"
She stood in the hall, listening, but
heard no sound of any kind.
"Helen!" she called at last. Helen,
where are you?"
Still no answer, and she was forced
to the conclusion that the house was
empty of any human beings save
herself. She closed the front door,
and went through the parlors, library,
dining room and even kitchen, with
out seeing anyone at all. The rooms
were all in order, yet showed ample
evidence of the family's very recent
presence.
ITS CHASTITY" she thought. "At
first it seemed funny and interesting,
but now it's horrid. If it's a practical
joke, they're carrying it too far, and
in any case, they're certainly very
rude!"
But after a few minutes her equa,
nimity returned, and she concluded
the only thing to do was to make the
best of the situation and await de-
velopments.
In the pantry was a supply of what
was beyond all doubt that mornings
milk, and this fact cheered Dorothy,
as corroborating her theories that the
family would soon return. She helped
herself to a glassful, and then strolled
into the Harlor, and seating herself at
the open piano. began to play.
Il know what / will do" she sud.
denly declared to herself, "Tll go up
in Helen's room and take a mar.
hardly slept any last night in that old
sleeping car, and I'm awfully tired"
Pleased with this practical plan,
Dorothy went up to Helen's room,
took off her hat and jacket, and made
herself generally at home. Then,
throwing herself on the couch, she
drew an afghan over her, and was
% sound asleep.
Later, she awoke. How much later.
she did not know, but on going in to
look at Mrs. Glenn's watch, she found
it was high noon.
Going to the parlor, Dorothy walked
toward the piano, and then stood
suddenly stock-still. Her big brown
eyes grew bigger with amazement, her
cheeks turned pale and then red, and
a shiver of fear was quickly followed
by a grin Of amusement. For on the
piano stoof lay a mans hat.
ut couldn't have been there when I
was playing this morning" she
thought
She went to the hall and listened
again, but there was only the same
silence.
Its the queerest thing" her
thoughts continued, as she still stood
staring at the hat on the piano stool;
"the hat is there, and somebody must
have put it there. It's just like when
Robinson Crusoe discovered a foot.
print in the sand. To-day is Friday,
and If there is an owner to that hat
anywhere about, | wish he'd appear,
and be my Nan Friday, for I'd like
somebody to speak to-"
At that moment Dorothy heard a
door opened and closed. The sounds