The Nevada County picayune. (Prescott, Ark.) 190?-current, 1909-04-01

| viz SpIoEcI.
Only that it was Mr.. Keatcham's
suite-Mr. f. S. Keatcham-as il that
| put getting into 1t quite out Of the
question. Some underling, presume"
There is the unoccupied room be-
tween. That is not accounted for. But
1t shall be. | will find out who is in
| there. Rupert rose as he spoke,
| pricked by the craving for action of
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 a promise that he
would not make Archies disappear
ance public. I'VE want to find him."
was her grim addendum land 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 a 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 New England lady of the
highest responsibility, Mrs. Winthrop
Wigglesworth. If 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-
dolenee and congratulation to divorced
friends. Mrs Winter, as usual wore
al luSCI ADiC "e'S
still firmly opposed to calling in the
aid of the police.
Did she object to his making few
inquiries among the hotel belboys, the
elevator boy and the people in the res
taurant or in the office?
Not at all. if he would be cautious.
SO he sailed out, and, in the midst
of his fruitless inquisition, Millicent
appeared.
Forcing 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?'
Il fear not Has it 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!' sputtered the colo
mel; then he begged her pardon.
Wait" he counseled and his mans
resistance to appearances had its ef-
feet. as masculine immoblity always
has. on the feminine effervescence
before him. Wait" was his word, at
least until we give the boy chance to
turn up; if he has slipped by us. he
is taking a little pasear on his own ac-
count; lads do get restless sometimes
# they are held too steadily In the
leash, especially-if you will excuse
me-by. well, by ladies'
.1f he has frightened us out or our
wits-well. | don't know what oughtn't
to be done to him.
"Oh. WELL let us wait and hear MS
story" repeated the soldier
Rut the last streaks Of red faded out
of the west: chill fog smoked up
from the darkening hills, and Archie
had not come. At eight, Mrs. Winter
ordered dinner to be served in their
rooms. Mrs. Smith had not returned.
The colonel attempted military
cheerfulness. which his aunt told him
bluntly, later in the evening, reminded
her of a physicians manner in critical
cases where the patients mind must
be kept absolutely quiet.
But she ate more than he at dinner;
although her own record was not
very good one. Millicent avowed that
she was too worried to eat, but she
was tempted by the strawberries and
earn and wondered were the Cali
fornia fowls really so poor; and gave
the sample the benefit of impartial and
fair examination, in the end making
very fair meal.
1t is not to be supposed that Winter
had been idle; before dinner he had
mt a guard in the hall and had seen