Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-09-18
laos, BY pebbs.Merrili Cal

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Mr.. Jameson left, taking short
cut to the village. and still stood
there. It must have been after IL,
and the monotonous tick Of the big
clock on the stairs behind me was the
only sound. Then I was conscious
that some one was running up the
drive. In minute a woman darted
into the area of light made by the
open door, and caught me by the arm.
1t was Rosie-Rosie in a state of col.
lapse from terror, and, not the least
important, clutching one of my Coal
port plates and silver spoon.
She stood staring into the darkness
behind, still holding the plate. I got
her into the house and secured the
plate; then 1 stood and looked down
at her where she crouched trembling
ly against the doorway.
WELL" l asked. didn't your young
man enjoy his meal?"
She couldn't speak. She looked at
the spoon she still heidi wasn't 80
anxious about it; thank Heaven, It
wouldn't chip-and then she stared at
me.
II appreciate your desire to have
everything nice for him." I went on,
but the next time. you might take
the Limoges china. It's more easily
duplicated and less expensive"
Il haven't a young man-not here"
She had got her breath now, as l had
guessed she would. IL have been
chased by thief, Miss Innes.'
did he chase you out Of the house
and back again?" askeds
Then Rosie began to cry-not ST.
lently, but noisily, Historically. I
stopped her by giving her a good
shake.
What in the world is the matter
with you?" snapped. Has the day
Of good comomn sense gone by! Sit
up and tell me the whole thing"
Rosie sat up then, and SMILED.
Il was coming up the drive" she
began.
You must start with when you
went down the drive, with my dishes
and my silver" l interrupted, but,
seeing more signs of hysteria, I gave
in. VERY we'll. You were coming up
the drive"
II had basket of-of silver and
dishes on my arm. and was carrying
the plate, because-because I was
afraid I'd break it. PARKWAY up the
road man stepped out of the bushes.
and held his arm like this, spread out,
80 l couldn't get past. He said-he
said-'Not SO fast, young lady; ]
want you to let me see what's in that
basket"
She got up in her excitement and
took hold of my arm.
ut was like this, Miss Innes," she
said, "and say you was the man.
When he said that, l screamed and
ducked under his arm like this. He
caught at the basket and dropped it.
ran as fast as could, and he came
after as far as the trees. Then he
stopped. oh, Miss Innes, it must have
been the man that killed that Mr..
Armstrong;"
Don't be foolish" I said. who
ever killed Mr.. Armstrong would put
rs much space between himself and
this house as he could. Go up to bed
now; and mind, If I hear Of this story
being repeated to the other maids,
shall deduct from your wages for
every broken dish find in the drive
could fancy Liddy's face when she
missed the extra pieces of china-she
had opposed Rosie from the start. If
Liddy once finds a prophecy fulfilled,
especially an unpleasant one, she
never allows me to forget it. 1t
seemed to me that 1t was absurd to
leave that china dotted along the road
for her to spy tie next morning: SO
with q sudden resolution, I opened the
door again and stepped out into the
darkness. AS the door closed behind
me half regretted my impulse; then
shut my teeth and went on.
I have never been q nervous won.
an, as said before. Moreover, a min.
ute or two In the darkness enabled
me to see things fairly we'll. Beulah
gave me rather start by rubbing un.
sxpectedly against my feet; then we
two, side by side. went down the
drive.
There were no fragments OF china.
but where the grove began I picked
up silver spoon. So far Rosie's
story was borne out; began to won.
der If 1t were not indiscreet, to say
the least, this midnight prowling in
= neighborhood with such a deserved
" bad reputation. Then 1 saw some.
thing cleaning, which proved to be
the handle Of cup. and a step OF
two farther on found a V.shaped bit
e plate . R.t the mnst surprising
thing Of all was to find the basket sit.
ting comfortably beside the road, with
the rest Of the broken crockery piled
neatly within. and handful Of small
silver, spoons, forks and the like. on
top! l could only stand and stare
Then Rosie's story was true. But
where had Rosie carried her basket!
And why had the thief. II he were q
thief, picked up the broken china out
Of the road and left It, with his
bootyf
1t was with my nearest approach to
. nervous collapse that heard the IA
miliar throbbing Of an automobile en-.
CINE. Az It came closer I recognized
the outline Of the Dragon Fly. and
knew that Halsey had come back.
Strange enough It must have
seemed to Halsey. too. to come across
me IN the middle OF the night, with
the skirt of my gray silk gown over
my shoulders 10 keep OF the dew.
holding q red and green basket under