The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-07-31

who lives in the new house over by
the orchard?'
The very one" I replied, laughing.
And this same motherly old soul, as
you call her. can be as self-contained
and tragic as you please when occasion
requires. She ought to be on the stage,
l assure you"
why, what did she do that was so
tragic?" they exclaimed in a breath.
and Miss Carney continued, reproving-
ly: "You couldn't have told us the
whole story, I'm sure. Please give us
the tragic part Of it at once, Mr..
Ware"
Well" I snid, thoughtfully. Or.
MacArdel put her through a course of
spouts that made strong. hearty man
faint away twice, and yet she never
said word, nor moved a muscle
How delightfully."- interesting!" said
Miss Weston II should never have
dreamed from her appearance that
she had so much fortitude. What could
DIR. MacArdel have done that was SO
thrilling?"
"Oh, he didn't do much" returned.
"He just asked some questions about
the things that had been going on. but
he did it in a way that was very eff.
fective. We wanted to learn who wrote
the mysterious note that had receiv-
ed on the night cf my arrival. We
found out that she did It.. but 1t was
only by chance and not through any.
thine hof hn toll oh !, 4
been little more clever in delivering
the other l am afraid we would be
in the dark about 1t vet"
And SO this Mrs. Bruce really wrote
them both, did she?" asked Miss Wes-
ton, with continued interest. What
horrible creature she must be-"
Il don't believe she is exactly horri-
ble," / said. cautiously "but she GER
tainly wrote the second note. and who.
ever wrote that one must have written
the first as we'll"
Wouldn't it be interesting If some
more would GOMEZ" cried Miss Yves
ton. enthusiastically. Il think it
would be the greatest fun in the
world"
You might change your mind If it
really happened said with a smile.
These things are well enough after
they are explained, but before that
time, they strike one rather seriously,
as l know from experience"
We'll, I'd be willing to try 1t Just
for once" said Miss Weston. conf
IDENTIFY. I'm simply crazy to see what
real good mystery is like at first
hand"
AS I CHANGED to move my plate
folded paper was disclosed and
hastily slipped it into my lap and
read it surreptitiously. 1t said:
You have not kept Miss Carney and
her friends away. Do not be surprised
II the ghosts return"
your wish is granted, Miss Wes-
ton" exclaimed, holding it up in my
hand. Here is one of the spook notes
this very minute. 1t is under my
plate"
ooh. do let me take IT," she entreat-
ed, and l passed 1t to her by way Of
Miss Carney, who read it thoughtfully
before handing 1t to her friend.
The moment Miss Watson saw the
paper a most unaccountable thing oc-
cured. Her face blanched and she
swayed In her seat for an instant as
II in danger Of falling, but regaining
her selfcontrol in another moment, she
exclaimed:
How silly am! This ridiculous
note made me quite dizzy for minute.
Where did you say you found 1t, Mr.
Ware? Under your plate, here at the
table? Why, some one must be play
ing joke on us ALL"
mo doubt" returned, watching her
closely. But it may prove to be a very
serious joke. You see, thing of this
kind is more startling than one would
expect. I've grown rather used to it
myself, but you seem to be quite up
set over it."
"Oh, it's Just for the moment" said
Miss Weston, with forced laugh. a!
didn't get much sleep last night and
this thing came on me so suddenly
and unexpectedly that it quite took my
breath away"
moment later she left the table on
some trivial pretext, and Miss Carney
called the butler, who had left us to
our coffee before this conversation be-
gan, and questioned him closely as to
the affairs of the morning He said that
he had laid the plates himself not long
before we came down to breakfast and
that while he had not been in the room
all the time he was positive that no
one could have entered without his
knowledge.
ut looks as II you must have slip.
ped it under your plate yourself, Mr..
Ware" said Miss Carney in banter
ing tone that Ill betokened her true
frame Of mind. "There doesn't seem
to be any other explanation. And do
you really think the ghosts will come
back again? shall not let you go away
until they are permanently suppressed.
you may be sure"
II know appear to be guilty." re-
piled with a laugh, but assure you I
| am not. You are merely having a taste