The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1908-10-30

nee frst, and people often loitered
there to catch the latest gossip.
Mrs. Tamblyn's face betrayed her
anxiety.
i've come across" she said to the
postmistress, Ito see II there's any
word from Mr.. Grayton. I'm gcttin'
a bit worried"
why, what has happened?' Miss
Ladda asked, pausing in the opera
ton of stamping letters.
We'll, it's this way. He went OUT
yesterday soon after dinner without
sayin' nothin' where he was goin' to.
an'-well, he's out still
you mean that he has not been at
home since?"
Mrs. Tamblyn nodded. Cant i'm
agine what's come to i'm" she said,
with a troubled look in her eyes. EFF
he said he was goin' to stay out all
night 'twould be ~deffer'nt."
But he has been known to stay out
all night?" Miss Ladda questioned,
in a level voice. She was anxious not
to reveal how much she was con-
cerned.
"Oh, yes. lots Of times. But. as
think bout it now. he always let me
know a%forehand."
"And he said nothing yesterday"
mot a word. He just put on his
hat an overcoat and went out az if he
would be back In haaf an hour"
Just then the door was pushed open,
and Mrs. Dyer entered. She also
looked troubled, and, after a formal
good afternoon to Mrs. Tamblyn,
opened her heart to Miss Ladda.
I'm gettin' worried bout my
lodger," she said. "He went out yes
terday afternoon as usual, and he
amt turned up sence."
well, now. amt that curious? ~
Mrs. Tamblyn interjected. "Mr. Gray
ton have played me just the same
trick"
Mrs. Dyer faced round suddenly.
do you mean to say the curate amt
been home for the night" she asked,
sharply.
Just what I've been a-sayin' to
Miss Ladda, and I'm gettin' a bit fur
ried about it."
Mrs. Dyer looked blank. do you
know she said, at length. that he
called at our 'ouse yesterday"
mo, l didn't"
"Well, he did. He called twice
once in the middle of the forenoon an
again directly after dinner"
did he call to see you?"
mo; he called to see Mr.. Nevins,
and he stayed some time talkin' to
me. After dinner he seemed in a hurry.
and when l told him Mr.. Nevins had
gone out again he didn't stay sca'ce
another minute"
did he go after him, do you
Think"
Goodness gracious, how should I
know"
He wanted to see i'm very bad or
he wouldn't ha' been twice to your
house."
That's so, no doubt. But | think
I'd better 'urry 'ome again. He may
have turned up by this" and Mrs.
| Dyer turned toward the door. Then
she stepped back a pace or two and
dropped a curtsy.
Miss Mawgan was a person OF I'M
portance in the neighborhood and was
to be treated with becoming respect.
"We was talking bout the curate
and Mr.. Nevins just now," Mrs. Dyer
remarked, in her most friendly tones,
IAN sayin' 'ow strange it was that
they should both go out unbeknown to
each other, as it were, and neither
of EN- turn up for the night. | was
lust a4hurryin' 'ome, thinkin', per-
haps, as Mr.. Nevins may have re-
turned while I've been out"
During this speech Esther Nav
gan's eyes had ben growing steadily
wider.
rs It true that Mr.. Grayton is miss
ing?" she said, turning suddenly to
| Mrs. Tamblyn.
well, / wouldn't say 'missin'.'
miss" Mrs. Tamblyn stammered,
| but he amt turned UP since he went
| out yesterday afternoon"
"And do you mean to say that you
have only now mentioned the mat
teri" she asked, sharply.
"Oh, lor', no. I mentioned it to
| Mrs. Tael this morning, and to our
| Sam, and to Jemima Blake; but we
didn't think nowthin' bout it then,
but az tho days gone on I've been
gettin' Hurried"