Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1909-01-27
ends q her words.


words. and was out Of the door almost
ahead Of her sentence.
The others waitedI they were 81.
lent; little necks OF color raddled
Mrs. Winters cheeks. They could
hear Milhcent's knock reverberating.
There was no answer. Telephone TO
the adjacent ROOM" proposed the
colonel.
It'll telephone" said Mrs. Winter.
and rang up the number Of the next
room. There was NO response: but
when she called the number OF the
room adjoining, she seemed to get an
answer, for she announced Ter name,
Have you seen young iad?" she con-
tinusd, after an apology for disturbing
them. He belongs to our party; has
he by chance got into your roomf and
II he thereT In Q second she put
down the receiver with heightened
color. saying: They might be a lit
tie civiler in their answers, II 1t is Mr..
Keatcham's suite"
What did the beggar sayf" bristled
the colonel.
only that IT was Mr.. Keatcham's
suite-Mr e. 8. Keatcham--as II that
put getting into It quite out Of the
question. Some underling, presume.
There is the unoccupied room be-
tween. That is not accounted for. But
1t shall be. Twill find out who Is In
there" Rupert rose as he spoke.
pricked by the craving for action Of a
man accustomed to quick decision. He
heard his aunt brusquely repelling
Millicent's proposal of the police. as
he left the room. Indeed, she called
him back to exact promise that he
would not make Archie's disappear.
ance public. I'VE want to find him"
was her grim addendum; "and we
can't have the police and the news
papers hindering u.s."
In the Office he found external
courtesy and rather perfunctory
sympathy, based on suppressed, but
perfectly visible conviction that the
boy had stolen out for a glimpse of the
city. and would be- back shortly.
The manager had no objection to
telling Col. Winter, whom he knew
slightly, that the occupant of the next
room was a New England lady of the
highest responsibility, Mrs. Winthrop
Wigglesworth. II the young fellow
didn't turn up for dinner, he should
be glad to ask Mrs. Wigglesworth 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 told. 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 congratulation to divorced
friends. Mrs. Winter, as usual, wore
an inscrutable composure. She was
still firmly opposed to calling In the
aid of the police.
Did she object to his making a 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 inquisition, Millicent
appeared.
Forcing a civil smile, 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 shall not discover anything"
81 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 ton0 OF |
Archie"
"Oh-she knows more than she will
say"
"Oh. what rot!" sputtered the colo
mel; then he begged her pardon.
Wait" he counseled. and his mans
resistance to appearances had its eff
feet, as masculine immobii.ty always
has. on the feminine effervescence
before him. Wait" was his word ''at
east until we give the boy chance to
turn up; II he has slipped by US. he
IS taking little pasear on his own ac-
count; lads do get restless sometimes
4 they are held too steadily in the
cash. especially-if you will excuse
we'll nv ladies'"