The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1909-11-30

noise and walked Elizabeth, and we
oo'h listened 1t was in the dining.
room, and oh, Elise
Lady Edith's pearls." / finished in
an awed whisper. adding as an after.
'hougnt: Where is Elizabeth"
zone to wake Mary Anne. Do get |
up ana put on your wrapper; we
might as well be prepared"
nave since asked Gabrielle II she |
thougnt IT unconventional to receive |
burglars in a robe de mutt: at that time. |
however, did not question the motive |
OF her command. but reached obedient-
" ior my slippers. and was enveloped
ID my pink kimono when Elizabeth ap-
peared In her blue one.
Elizabeth was very pale and looked
/ as though she had encountered a regi-
f ment 81 ghosts. as she collapsed in a
crumpled heap on the foot Of INV bed
She wasn't there she said. in
frightened whisper; her bel had not
been touched, and-oh. I'm afraid,r
We all were, for that matter. and
huddled close together, listening in
ten'ly Mary Anne. tower of
strength in any emergency, had failed
US In our hour of need, and we felt
weakly incompetent as well as
alarmed.
We listened with strained attention
and every sense alert. dreading the
unknown, yet still more fearful Of the
silence which enveloped the house like
PAIL We heard nothing, however.
except the sound Of the waves, usually
soothing in its regularity. but tonight
accompanied with an oyerpowering
sense Of loneliness and a realization
Of our helplessness and complete iso-
. lation.
But as the slow moments passed
and nothing happened we grew gradu-
ally calmer. and even yentured to
creep noiselessly into the hall and
, lean over the banisters, ready for in
, slant flight back to my room at the
!. first suspicion of movement below
, there TO barricade the door and in
sure personal safety If possible. Again
We listened, and again nothing hap
pened.
Would you be afraid to go down
stairs?" suggested Gabrielle, always
the most valiant. 1T seems all right
We were afraid. and said SO EN-
phatically
"Of course said Elizabeth. after an
other period Of silence, we might
have been mistaken about the noise
But, then. there's Mary Anne-wha
of herr
Gabrielle sat fat upon the floor
mingled relief and dismay in her face
That's just it," she exclaimed
IT was Mary Anne
y What do you mean?'
The noise-it was Mary Anne
4 Don't you see? She has been deceiy
y ing us about her son; he is still hang
ing about somewhere, and she goe
out at night and meets him, so it i
! no wonder she was not in her room.
Why. OF course'-Elizabeth az
| cepted the theory without question
! while | maintained an uneasy silence
I'm so relieved-but I'm sorry. too
'e hate to think she has deceived u
again"
20 Gabrielle snuffed the wick of he
- candle and rose to the occasion, TO
"A as she said afterward she felt herse
more than equal to Mary Anne. a
~ though she might perhaps funk
masked burglar.
Now. I'll tell you our best plan
she said. decidedly. We'll go dow
stairs and see if she has left a dot
or window open tas. Of course, ST
musD. and then We will lock it ar
wait until We hear her coming. ar
ny then"
ne Well" | inquired. as she paused
u' resolutely, what them"
ne Why. then we'll confront her"
ns Gabrielle spoke firmly. and We fe
4 as though the act of confronting mu
no be in the nature of the ancient orde
ed of red-hot ploughshares-
ny Let us go right down. she cont
er- ued. before she has chance to con
nd in. Both of you get candles a.
ice come on"
ay- Il don't quite like it," demurr
lily Elizabeth Suppose she brings tn
ars man with her. He might not object
nd three other murders il he thought
| necessary"
Bile | got my candle in puzzled silen'
an Gabrielle's explanation was very PR
as able. and l fervently hoped ii mig
prove TO be true. but | had mem
,1,s vision of the figures at the door of
nor boathouse. and my heart sank wi
,ad in me.
,~s (TO BE CoNTINUED)
ad. Shopper Got the Best.