The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1909-07-01

awaited him In the parlor Between
the two he chose Blrdsall.
Well" he greeted him, did you find
any trace of the boy?"
"Of course ! did" growled Birdsall.
"They didn't Try TO hide i'm. They
had him lodged in dandy room with
HIS own bath. OF course. he left his
toothbrush. They'd got him some au.
tomobile toys. too, and he'd left some
leggings when he packed, and a letter
begun on a pad to Miss Smith-'Dear
Miss Janet II begins. 1 am having
a bully time. can steer the machine.
only | can't back'--that's all. Say,
the young dog has been having II fat
while we were in the frying pan. for
fear somebody was b-thering him"
But he is not In the house now"
mo, nor nothing else"
| Nobody hidden awa3? Where did
the groans you heard come from"
queried the colonel, politely.
Blrdsall flushed. Il do believe that
slick deceiver you call Mercer put up
a game on us out Of meanness-iust TO
get me guessing"
That sort Of thing looks more like
the college boys"
Say, II might have been. This
] thing Is giving me nervous prostration.
Say. why didn't you see the thing out
with mel"
The colonel shamelessly told the
truth TO deceive. Il was called here.
l was told that Mrs. Winter. my aunt.
had seen Archie in the street"
She was just getting out OF a ma
chine as | came up. Miss Smith was
with her. and they had their hands
full OF candy boxes. They were
laughing. ! made sure the boy had
been found"
Not to my knowledge" said the
colonel But in some excitement he
walked into the parlor. The ladies
had arrived; they stood in the center
OF the room while Randall took away
the boxes.
Candy for Archie" explained Aunt
Rebecca. and these we're the first
words to reach Rupert Winters ears.
Il expect him to dinner"
Aunt Rebecca." proclaimed Mill.
cent. Il never have been one TO com.
plain. but there are limits TO human
endurance. am n modern person.
civilized Episcopalian, accustomed 10
regular and well-ordered life, and
for the last few days I seem 10 have
been living in a kind OF medieval mys.
terry. with kidnapers. and blood
stains. and. for anything I know. some
! hfaA a. til a..
one Of us any time! You people may
enjoy this sort OF thing-you seem
to-but don't. And tell you frankly
that | am going to apply TO the police.
not 10 any private detective inquiry
Office, as like as not in league with the
criminals"-thusu ngratefully did Mrs.
Millicent slur the motives OF her only
truly interested auditor--"but real DO.
licemen. l shall apply"
She did not tell where she should
apply. the words being snapped out Of
her mouth by the sharp tinkle OF the
telephone bell.
Aunt Rebecca responded TO the call
Send him up" was her answer 90 the
inaudible questioner
Nnt ItNtlNtTs IutU
she put It back. Then she stood up,
her silver head In the air. her erect
little figure held motionless.
Janet Smiths dark eyes sought
hers; her lips parted only to close
firmly again.
Even the detective perceived the
electric intensity OF the moment, and
Ruparf obut HE agto tg,b4 ,,.tth .
quickened beating OF the heart; but
emotional vibrations did not disturb
Mrs. Melville Winters poise. She
continued her plant.
This present situation is unbear.
able, unprecedented and un-un-un.
expected" she detained. rather gro
ping for climax which escaped her.
Aunt Rebecca raised her hand.
Would you be so very kind, Mill
cent" said she. "as 10 walt a moment?
| am trying to listen"
Like a response 10 her words. the
knob Of the door was turned, the
door swung. and Archie entered the
room. smiling his odd little chewedup
smile.
Jdhtb ullcitu idlut cry ana look
single step, but as II recognizing
superior right, hung back while the
boy put his arm about his greataunt's
waist and rather bashfully kissed her
cheek
She received the salute with entire
composure. except for a tiny splash of
red which crept up TO each cheek. |
bone. rs 1t really you, Archer" said |
she. "You are little late for dinner
day before yesterday. but quite In time
for to-day. Sit down and tell us
where you have been"
Quite SOL" exclaimed Mrs. Mill. |
cent. Good heavens! Do you know
how we have suffered? Where have
you been? Why did you run away?"
But Archie, who had surrendered
one-half Of him to be Rugged by Miss
Smith and the other to be clapped ON
the shoulder by his uncle. seemed 10
think a vaguely polite "How.de.do.
Aunt Millicent; I'm sorry to have wor.
rled you!" to be answer enough. Only
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