Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1907-11-29
MUcH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

4 RAeN' al AhAtNf' fN'N -
night"
There is certainly an "cerIe look aoour
this ROOM" replied Miss Morton, glancing
round the spacious apartment with its
black oak wainscoting and old-fashioneI,
aomDer furniture, on which the freight
was playing ftfully: "aud the furniture IN
my room creaks in the most aWful manner
IN the night. and the shadows Gre some
hing terrible. II I hadn't a ntSht-.!ght |
should so out OF my mind.
But it Is the light which makes the
shadows"
IAN the same. { should die without il.
But for the consciousness that my room
IL between yours and edwards J really
could not stay here"
The entrance OF a servant with a supper
tray put a stop to the conversation.
Oldby Manor was an ancient and large
house i'm Chesterton, England, which had
been handed down from father 10 son, gen
Grafton after generation.
Supper over, the girls drew their cha.rS
10 The fire and talked.
Suppose we light some more candies.
and sit up all night" said Isabel.
Mary shook her head.
I'VE should look so washed out tomor-
row. ard you know Edward is going to
bring his great friend, Mr.. Parker" Isabel
smiled. And we must look charming, in
order to fascinate this rich ard desirable
young mani"
Here is you candle said Mary. rising.
Susan has gone TO bed. and we must go
also"
1t was just after ehe church clock had
solemnly sounded three that Isabel sat up
III bed, her eyes starting with horror. For
she had distinctly heard q loud report In
the house, like the report OF D pistol. and
she knew that there were no firearms N
-IN h,,,-~ ux-A- $40 vVhtnh Az n /
ways locked up. Who, then, was this who,
in the dead Of the night, had invaded the
premises?
The sound had aroused MarJ. who
walked in the next minute in her DRESSING
gown, her face white with terror.
We must go and see what it s"
w can't" said Isabel.
But suppose someone has attacked poor
DID SUSAN"
What good could We do? We cant go"
"If a burglar has broken in he will prob
ably murder us also Il we make no effort
TO escape" said Mary. whose spirit was
not reused. Let US dress. and then look
round
With trembling fingers they managed
20 attire themselves hurriedly: and. in
deadly fear. armed themselves with fire.
irons, and made their way toward Susan's
room. which was near the kitchen.
But within a Few PAGES of Susan's room
they stood still. appalled,. for from beneath
he wainscot OF the apartment adjoining a
iark-red stream was slowly ooZing.
With a shrek they He'd down the corri-
dor, clinging TO each Other in mad terror,
ard trying TO make their way 10 the front
unor.
Then Mary remembered the nan and
heavy fastening? to that door, and knew
that her hands would refuse TO undo them
quickly enough.
we must break one of the drawing
room windows" she sad; and. afscr much
stumbling over the furniture, they man
aged to traverse the large room.
With desperate courage, Mary took up a
f~ootstoll and dashed it through the glass.
Where are We going" asked Isabel.
: must make our way to the police
station at Everton, the nearest town, for
we are quite away from any Deighbors
here. Most OF them live in the by-.anes
al some Ettie distance"
The girls walked steadily for three miles.
their trcpidatton 100 great FOR CONVERSE
zion
The morning began TO dawn. when To-
the clatter Of horses hoofS was : a Cd. and
the figures OF two horsemen loor i dim.y
in sight. They would have passed as rap
idly bad not Isabel screamed:
stop, stop! we want your help"
The two gentlemen refined in their
horses. and one d,smounted.
On hearing the facts. a brief Consulta-
ton took pace between the two gentle
men. Mr.. Parker was in favor of taking
he young ladies into Evertcn. and return
ng With the police; but Edward urged
that. rs poor Susan might not be killed.
but only injured. it would be inhuman TO
leave her longer alone.
IF there are any ruffans about. YOU
rrd / will show fight" nc said. w shah
90 quicker II we take the girls on our
0crses."
So he lifted Isabel up In front of him,
nutting his arm round her waist, and Mr..
Parker did the same for Mary: and. in
srite of the dreadful circumstances. he
discovered that she was a very pretty girl.
ana tnat ne was very comfortable.
$50 you two valiant young women were
afraid to see poor Susan, afraid even to
urbolt the front door" said Edward; but
a. the same time his face wore d look OF
grave concern.
The struggling light caused every object
70 look black. IN silence the Quartet
weuded their way through the corridors to
a short distance from Susap's room.
Now sad Edward. 'if any ruffan
comes u TO tackle us. Parker ard l win
settle him, ard you girls had better
Ycream. Screaming has rather a good ef-
feet cn burglars. I believe"
He had q heavy cane in his hand, while
NJ. PARKER he'd a pistol.
The girls hearts boa 20 suefocation as
they qaw the red stream, ard the young
r'cu hal a very uncomfortable sensations.
Edward stepped across. followed by the
others. Re g~2sped the handle of Susan's
deer. turned Il r~esolutelv. and vert in.
To all Appearances the old woman was
sleeping peacefully in her bed; hut the
light was uncertain, and ii was possible
she might he dead,
He laid his hard GENTLY on her shoulder.
and shook her slightly.
Dear, dear. dca~'" she exclaimed. look
ing IN wonder at the solemn faces around
her, what g the matter. Master Ed
wart?"
II am truly glad to find yott alive and
uahurt." he exclaimed. with feeling.
'Have lou not been disturbed in the
right?'
NO. SIR; bur X looks as If ought TO get
up. with 20 much company up before
me-"
With hearty relief they left the room.
But how was the red stream to be ac-
counted for?
Edward nrepared "a enter the room
when 4 had flow ed. but Isabel threw her
arms round his neck and imp.ored him, for
her sake, not tn do so.
II must. my darling" re said resoiuteIy:
afd. entering, shut the door.