The Ordway new era., 1907-05-24
CHAPTER VII.
A Misplaced Joke.

BIZ before, ana Hiost thof-
rch disclosed no other door
into the room. and 40 pos
nee of concealment for any
the bulk OF man.
bought of n concealed opening
ejlipg over the bed naturally
ld itself to my mind. but moth
Ie sort existed and moments
tion with towel on the end
hiking stick showed n layer of
Ich evidently had not been dis
or years.
brit the presence of the envel-
ny bed seemed to be shroudeh
ery OF the most impenetrable
ut even II was exceeded in
mprehcnsibility by the aston.
kontents of the note.
BE for Florence Carney was, |
hight. secret buried deep in
breast. Surely ! had never told
the years that had cherished
ndly. and. on one occasion at
had denied II fatty Yet II was
.d here. in as matter-of.fact a
II our engagement had been
announced and our wedding
ned.
had the matter over and over
hind. as | strolled slowly along
klnding road that led to Hos.
ktel. but | was no nearer n so
n the problem when | finished
bkfast than | had been when ]
house. There were n number
+ for me at the post Office. but
b interest in them. and. stun.
N unread into my pocket, ]
fd back to Carney.Croft, still
bg deeply.
king the door. | returned AZ
my room and again made
search for any possible means
(ss after the door was closed
pred for the night. While the
eht have been turned from the
with master key, there was
bolt TO hold II. and that this
oi have been slipped by any
Ind than mine | was absolutely
oreover, there was no hidden
ism connected with the bolt.
Fas n simple. commonplace af-
ring the name OF well.known
hnd evidently attached to the
Ter the house was completed.
up In despair. for the pres
least, descended to the
iloor again, intending to make
e Inspection of the house and
when a faint odor of cigar
attracted my notice. and l saw
library door was ajar.
ping forward. peered through
ping and beheld. to my amaze
familiar figure seated comfort.
one of the large leather chairs
feet resting lazily on an
all the assurance of appar.
prietorship. At the same in
turned his head slightly in
Fction and. uncertain as to
he had seen me or not. | re-
rapidly and noiselessly up the
my room. where l locked my
and tried to smother my an
view the situation logically.
the manner in which the
reached me was still as much
stery as ever. its contents, at
efe explained. and my fury
bounds at the wholly unwar-
impertinence of this sorry at
ht a practical Joke.
Y the matter was so sacred, so
SO entirely my own. that my
me frivolity of this contempt
drove from my mind all
OF wonder that a man who,
very reason to believe. was
way. should be, at this very
under the same roof with
down and gazed out of the win
ross the river to the heavily
mills In the distance, and
n almost superhuman effort to
myself. Finally opened the
mat had come by the morn
aii and began to read them in
netory way. The second was
secretary. and, as 1 perused
laeniy awoke from my apathy
J with interest:
,ftters came this morning
|r,'Carney. one postmarked Lon
y the other Paris. I forward
|ver. ~
|MacArdel called this afternoon
l. ~ greatly surprised to learn
" mad gone away SO suddenly
.nout sending him word. He
wanted to see you on I person
Vt. and seemed quite disab-
At missing you.
Jarvis case has been post-
. the fall term rs
etter closed with I fav nsaus.
- s..,ness !. matters and - ~ !
q = nnishsd = - Alns 4 ~ ~