The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1909-05-13

awaited him In the parlor. between
the two he chose Blrdsail.
We'll" he greeted him. did you fnd
any trace OF the boyg"
"Of course ! did." growied Blrdsali
They didn't try 10 hide I'm. They
had him lodged In a 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 60 Miss Smith--'Dear
Miss Janet Il begins. I am having
a bully time. | can steer the machine,
only I can't back'-thats all. Say.
the young dog has been having Il tat
while we were in the frying pan. Tor
fear somebody was bothering him"
"But he II not In the house now
mo. nor nothing else"
Nobody hidden away Where did
the groans you heard como from"
queried the colonel. politely.
Birdsall flushed. Il do believe that
slick deceiyer you cal; Mercer put up
a game on us out OF meannesa-Iustt 10
get me guessing"
That sort OF thing looks more like
the college boys"
Say. IL might have been. This
thing IL giving mo nervous proetration.
Say. why didn't you see the thing out
with me-
The colonel shamelessiy told the
truth 10 deceive 4 was called here.
I 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 we're
laughing. made sure the boy had
been found"
Not 10 my knowledge said tho
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
tho boxes.
Candy for Archie" explained Aunt
Rebecca. and these were the FIRST
words 20 reach Rupert Winters cara
4 expect him TO dinner
Aunt Rebecca." proclaimed Mill.
cent. Il never have been one 70 com.
plain. but there are limits 10 human
endurance. am a modern person. a
civilized Episcopalian. accustomed 60
a regular and wellordered life. and
for the last few days seem % have
been living In kind OF medieval mys.
terry. with kidnapers. and blood.
stains. and. for anything know. some
body ready 10 stick a knife into any
one Of us any timei You people may
enjoy this sort OF thlng-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
crlminals"-thus ungratefuliy did Mrs.
Millicent slur the motives OF her only
truly Interested auditor-"but real po-
licemen. I 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 TO the
inaudible questioaer
She laid down the receiver. Then
she put Il back. Then she stood up.
her silver head in the air. her erect
little figure held mo,ionless.
Janet Smiths dark eyes sought
hers; her lips parted only 10 close
firmly again,
Even the detective perceived the
electric intensity OF the moment. and
Rupert shut his fists tight. with a
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 90 wait moments
| am trying to listen"
Like response TO her words, the
knob OF the door was turned, the
door swung. and Archie entered the
room, smiling his odd little chewed.up
smile
Janet uttered faint cry and took a
single step. but. as II recognizing a
superior right. hung back while the
boy put his arm about his great.aunt's
waist and rather bashfully kissed her
cheek.
She received tho salute with entire
composure, except for tiny splash OF
red which crept up 10 each cheek
bone. rs Il really you. ARCHER" said
she. You are a 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 heayensl DO you know
how We have suffered? Where have
you beenf 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 unclo seemed IN