The Newark star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1909, 1909-07-12


doubtfully, that she really meant that
blanket for Thomas?'
Thomas was standing beside thai
magnolia tree Halsey replied, when
l ran after Mrs. Watson. It's down to
this, Aunt Ray. Rosie's basket and
Mrs. Watson's blanket can only mean
one thing: there is somebody hiding or
being hidden in the lodge. 1t wouldn't
surprise me If we hold the key to the
whole situation now. Anyhow, I'm 60
ing to the lodge to investigate"
Gertrude wanted to go. too, but she
looked SO shaken that l insisted she
should not. 1 sent for Liddy to help
her to bed. and then Halsey and
heavy with dew, and, manlike, Halsey
chose the shortest way across the lawn.
Halfway. however, he stopped.
Wed better go by the drive" he said,
This isn't a lawn; it's a field. Where's
the gardener these days?"
There isn't any," | said meekly.
I'VE have been thankful enough, so far.
to have our meals prepared and served
and the beds aired. The gardener who
belongs here is working at the club"
Remind me tomorrow to send out a
man from town. he said. II know the
very fellow"
L record this scrap of conversation
just as l have tried to put down any
thing and everything that had a bear
ing on what followed, because the gar
dener Halsey sent the next day played
an important part in the events of the
l novt faxr fxraaIS- ax-aptC tHot contaminated
as you know, by stirring the country
profoundly. At that time, however. I
was busy trying to keep my skirts
dry. and 1 paid little or no attention to
what seemed then a most trivial re-
mark.
Along the drive I showed Halsey
where l had found Rosie's basket with
the bits of broken china piled inside.
He was rather skeptical.
Warner probably he said cwhen l
had finished, began it as a joke on
Rosie. and ended by picking up the
broken china out of the road, knowing
it would play hob with the tires of the
car" Which shows how near one can
come to the truth, and yet miss it al
together.
A. the lodge everything was quiet.
There was a light in the sitting-room
downstairs, and a faint CLEAN, as if
from a shaded lamp, in one of the upper
rooms. Halsey stopped and examined
the lodge with calculating eyes.
II don't know. Aunt Ray" he said
obviously; this is hardly a woman's
affair. If there's a scrap of any kind,
| you hike for the timber" Which was
Halsey's solicitious care for me, put in
to yernaculaTs
81 shall stay right here" I said, and
crossing the small veranda, now
shaded and fragrant with honeysuckle,
l hammered the knocker on the door.
Thomas opened the door himself
Thomas, fully dressed and in his GUS
tomary health. ] had the blanket over
my arm.
II brought the blanket, Thomas 1
said; II am sorry you are so ILL.,"
The old man stood staring at me and
then at the blanket. His confusion
under other circumstances would have
\ been ludicrous.
What! Not ill?" Halsey said from
the step. Thomas. I'm afraid you've
been malingering."
Thomas seemed to have been debat-
ing something with himself. Now he
stepped out on the porch and closed
the door gently behind him,
81 reckon you bettah come in, Mis-
Innes." he said, speaking cautiously.
ITS got so | dunno what to do, and it's
boun' to come out some time. er luther"
He threw the door open then, and I
stepped inside. Halsey close behind. In
the sitting-room the old negro turned
with quiet dignity to Halsey.