Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-01-15

them. he belongs 10 Dur party, mas
10 BY chance got into your room? and
is he there?" In a second she put
down the receiver with a heightened
color, saying: They might be a lit
to ciyiler in their answers, II 1t Is Mr.
Kea.cham's suite"
What did the beggar say?" bristled
the colonel.
"Only that II was Mr. Keatcham's
suite-MY. e. S. Keatcliam-as II that
put getting into 1t quite out OF the
question. Some underling, presume.
There is the unoccnpied room be-
tween. That 10 not accounted for. But
1t shall be. l will find out who Is In
there" Rupert rose as he spoke,
pricked by the craving for action OF 9
man accustomed to quick decision. He
heard his aunt bruseuely repellins
Millicent's proposal of the police. as
he left the room. Indeed, she called
him back to exact a promise that ne
would not make Archie's disappear
ance public. I'VE wait to find him,
was her grim addentlum; and we
can't have the police and the news
papers hindering US"
In the office he found external
courtesy and rather perfunctory
sympathy, based on q suppressed, but
perfectly visible conviction that the
boy had stolen out for IL glimpse OF the
city, and would be back shortly.
The manager had 10 objection to
telling Col. Winter, whom he knew
slightly, that the occupant Of the next
room was New England lady of the
highest responsibility. Mrs. Winthrop
Wlggleeworth. II the young fellow
didn't turn up for dinner, he should
be glad to ask Mrs. Nvigglesworth to
let Mrs. Winter examine her room:
but he rather thought they would be
seeing young Winter before then-oh.
his hat? They usually carried caps
in their pockets; and as to coats
boys never thought of their coats.
The managers cheeriness did not es-
pecially uplift the colonel. He warmed
1t over dutifully, however. for his wom-
ankind's benefit. Miss Smith had gone
out; why, he was not .old, and did not
venture to ask. Mrs. Melville kept
making cautious signals to him behind
his aunt's back; otherwise she was
preserving the mien Of sympathetic
solemnity which she was used to- show
at funerals and first visits of CON
dolence and congratulsttion to divorced
friends. Mrs. Winter as usual, wore
an inscrutable compcsure. She was
still firmly opposed to calling in the
aid Of the police.
Did she object to his making few
inquiries among the hotel bellboys, the
elevator boy and the people in the res
taurant or In the office?
Not at all, II he would be cautious.
So he sailed out, and, in the midst
Of his fruitless inqu:sition, Millicent
appeared.
Forcing civil smils, he awaited her
pleasure. GO on, don't mind me"
said she, mournfully you will feel
better to have done, everything in
your power"
But I,shall not discover anything?"
II fear not. Has 1t not occurred to
you that he has been Kidnapped"
Hmm" said the colonel.
"And did you notice how perturbed
Miss Smith seemed? She was quite
pale; her agitation was quite notice
able
"she is tremendously fond OF
Archie"
"oh-she knows more than she will
say"
"Oh, what rot!" suffered the colo
mel; then he begged her pardon.
wait" he counsel,sd, and his mans
resistance to appearances had its eff
feet, as masculine irnmobility always
has, on the feminine effervescence
before him. Wait" was his word. "at
least until we give the boy chance to
turn up: II he has slipped by us. he
is taking a little pasear on his own ac-
count; lads do get restless sometimes
IL they are held TOP steadily in the
leash, especially-if you will excuse
me-by, we'll, by ladies"
''If he has frightened us out OF our
wits--well, don't know what oughtn't
to be done to hint"
ooh, well, let us wait and hear his
story repeated the soldier.
But the last streaks of red faded out