The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1909-01-05

hotel, said Mrs. Winter. Don't be
$50 restless. Berthe. sit down"
The colonel's eve was turtiyely pho
tographlng every article Of furniture
IN the room Il fingered longest on
Mrs. Winters wardrobe trunk, which
was standing IN her room. Randall
had been dispatched for a hot water
bottle IN lieu Of one which had sprdng
q leak on the train; so the trunk
stood. its door aiar.
Maybe he IL doing the Genevra
stunt there--is that what you are
t~hiakingg" she ieered. Well, go and
look"
Light as her tone was, she was not
unaffected by the c%ontagion Of anx'
iety about her: after a moment, while
Rupert was looking at the wardrobe
trunk, and even nrofanely exploring
tho swathed gowns held In rigid safety
by bands Of rubber, she moved about
the rooms herself.
There isn't room for a mouse in
that box : growled the colonel,
"0f course not, said his aunt,
languidly, sinking into the easiest
chair but your mind is easier. Archie
will come hack for dinner; don't
worry"
How could he get by met" retorted
the colonel.
perhaps he went into the neigh.
boring rooms" Miss Smith suggested.
Shall ! 20 out and rap on the door
Of the next room on the left?" on the
right the last room Of the party was
a corner room.
why you might" acqulesced Aunt
Rebecca: but Mrs, Melville cut the
ends Of her words.
Pray let me 40, Aunt Rebccca, :
she begged, suiting the action to the
words, and was out OF the door almost
ahead Of her sentence.
Tho others waited: they wore 81.
lent; little fiecks Of color raddled
Mrs, Winters checks. They could
hear Millicent's knock re%verberatlng,
There was no answer. Telephone to
thu adjacent room,r proposed the
colonel.
"Ill 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 her name.
Have you seen 4 young lad?" she con.
tlnued, after IN apology Cor disturbing
them, He belongs 10 our party, has
he BY chance got Into your room? lad
Is he therug" In a second she put
down the receiver with a heightened
celor, saying; eThey might be a lit
tie ciyIler IN their answers. II It Is Mr.
Keatchan's suite"
What did the beggar say2" bristled
The colonel.
Only that II was MIR. K~eatcham's
suIfe-Mr. p. s. Keatcham-as Is that
put getting into It quite out Of the
question Some ~nnderllng. presume" 9
There Is the Hnoccupied Don be.
tween That IS not accounted for. But
It shall be. win find out who Is In
there" Rupert rose MS he spoke.
pricked by the craving for actlon Of a
mas accustomed to quick decision lie
heard his aunt %brusquely repelling
Mlllicent's proposal Of The police as
be left the room. indeed. she called
him back TO exact a promise that he
would not make Archie's disappear
ance public. eve want to find him
WAS her grim addendnm: "and we
cant have the police and the news
papers hindering us"
IN the Office he found external
courtesy and a rather n%erfunctnFy
sympathy. based on q suppressed, but
perfectly visible conviction that the
boy had stolen out for q 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 IL the
highest responsibility. Mrs. Winthrop
Wlgelesworth II the young fellow
didn't turn up for dinner, he should
be glad to ask Mrs WIgglesworth to
LEI Mrs. Winter examine her room;
but he rather thought they would bo
seeing young Winter before then-oh.
his hat7 They usually carried caps
in their pockets: and as 10 coats
BOYS never thought Of their coats.
The managers eheerlness did not ea-
pecially upllfi the colonel, He warmed
Il over %dutlfnlly. however, for his wom
ankind's benefit. Miss Smith had gone
out why. be was not told. and did not
venture % ask. Mrs. Melville kept
making cautious signals 10 him behind
his aunt's hack; otherwise she was
preserving the mien Of sympathetic
Holemnlty which she was used 10 show
al funerals and ffst visits Of con
dolence and congrafulatIon 10 divorced
friends. Mrs. Winter. as usual, wore
an lnscfutabIe camposure- She was
stlll firmly opposed 70 calling In the
aid Of the police.
Did she object 10 his making q few
Inquiries among the hotel bellboss. the
elevator boy and the people IN the req.
Iaurant Or IN the oiflce2
Not o. all, II he would be cautious.
50 he sailed out. and. IN the midst
Of his frnltless iuqulsiti0n. Miillceut
appeared.
Forcing 3 asil smile, be awaited her
pleasure 60 On. don't mind mo,
.ala - ..o..A I. LII. 49,. ..lll III