Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-08-10

hundred feet from the house were two
figures that moved slowly toward US
as we looked. When they came within
range of the light. recognized Halsey
and with him Mrs. Watson, the house
keeper.
CHAPTER XII.
The most commonplace incident
takes on a new appearance if the at
tendant circumstances are unusual
There was no reason on earth why
Mrs. Watson should not have carried
a blanket down the east wing starr
case, if she so desired. But to take
blanket down at eleven o'clock at
night, with every precaution as to
noise, and, when discovered, to fling
it at Halsey and bolt-Halsey's word,
and a good one-into the grounds
this made the incident more than Sig
nificant.
They moved slowly across the lawn
and up the steps. Halsey was talking
quietly, and Mrs. Watson was looking
down and listening. She was woman
of certain amount of dignity, most
efficient, SO far as I could see, al
though Liddy would have found faul
if she dared. But just now Mrs. Wat
sons face was an enigma. She was
defiant, think, under her mask OF
submission, and she still showed the
effect of nervous shock.
Mrs. Watson said severely,
will you be SO good as to explain this
rather unusual occurrence?
q don't think it so unusual, Miss
4 i
clear. just now it was somewhat trem-
ulous. y was taking blanket down
to Thomas. who is-not well tonight,
and / used this staircase. as being
nearer the path to the lodge. When
Mr. lines called and then rushed
at me, IL was alarmed and flung the
blanket at him.
Halsey was examining the cut on
his forehead in a small mirror on the
wall. 1t was not much Of an injury
but 1t had hled freely. and his appear
ance was rather terrifying.
",Thomas ILL.," he said, over his
shoulder why, l thought l saw
Thomas out there as you made that
cyclonic break out of the door and
over the porch"
cOutu SSS lfidI plSISiioS
examining his injury he was watching
her through the mirror
is this one of the servants blan,
kets, Mira Watson?" I asked, holding
up its luxurious folds to the light.
Everything else is locked away,
she replied, Wits was true enough
no doubt | had rented the house with
out bed furnishings.
"If Thomas is ill., Halsey said
some member of the family ought tc
go down to see him. Lou needn't both
er, Mrs. Watson, will take the blan
ket.'
She drew herself up quickly, as il
in protest, but she found nothing tt
say. She stood smoothing the folds o
her dead black dress, her face az
| white as chalk above it. Then she
seemed to make up her mind.
Very well, Mr.. Innes," she said
Perhaps you would better so. l have
done all could
And then she turned and went I'll
/ the circular staircase, moving slowl,
and with certain dignity. Below, tn
/ three Of use stared at one anothe
across the intervening white blanket
Upon my word" Halsey broke out
this place is walking nightmare.
have the feeling that we three out
siders who have paid our money TO
/ the privilege Of staying in this spooi
factory, are living on the very top Q
things We're on the lid, SO to speai
Now and then we get sight OF tn
things inside, but we are not par
of Them
DO you suppose" Gertrude aske
doubtfully, "that she really meant tn
blanket for Thomas?"
Thomas was standing beside tina
magnolia tree" IIalsey replied, "whe
ran after Mrs. Watson. It's down
this! Aunt Ray. Rosie's blanket an
Mrs Watson's blanket can only mea
one thing: there is somebody hidin
or being hidden in the lodge.
, wouldn't surprise me if we hold til
! key to the whole situation now. An
how, I'm going to the lodge to invest
+ gate
, Gertrude wanted to go, too, but ST
: looked so shaken that / insisted 81
| should not. l sent for Liddy to help h
r to bed, and then Halsey and ! starte
/ for the lodge. The grass was hea'
with dew, and, manlike, Halsey cho
i the shortest way across the law
}. Halfway, however, he stopped.
e WED better so by the drive
l. said. This isn't a lawn: it's fiel
: Where's the gardener these days?"
S There isn't any," ] said meek
e 1--WE have been thankful enough,
# far, to have our meals prepared a.
It served and our beds aired. The 81
e dener who belongs here is working
e the club
l. Remind me tomorrow to send c
o man from town." he said. II kn'
r the very fellow
I record this scrap of conversatit
e just as l have tried to put down al
Is thing and everything that had be
Is ing on what followed, because the g
'e dener Halsey sent the next day pl
id ed an important part in the events
N the next few weeks-events that {
N minated, as you know. by stirring
country profoundly. At that time, ht
y, ever, was busy trying to keep
IS skirts dry, and paid little or no att
IN ton to what seemed then most Il