The Ordway new era., 1910-05-13

small mustache. remember wonder
ing why: he seemed to have a good
mouth and when he smiled his teeth
were above the average. One never
knows why certain men cling to a
messy upper lip that must get into
things. any more than one under
stands some women building up their
hair on wire atrocities. Otherwise.
he was very good to look at. stalwart
and tanned. with the direct gaze that
| like. | am particular about Mr.. Bal.
ley. because he was prominent fig.
ure in what happened later.
Gertrude was tired with the trip
and went up to bed very soon.
made up my mind to tell them moth.
ing until the next day. and then to
make us light OF our excitement as
possible. After all. what had I to tell?
An inquisitive face peering in nt
window: crash In the night: n
scratch or two on the stairs. and half
n cuff.button! AS for Thomas and his
forebodings. 1t was always my belief
that negro Is one part thief, one
part pigment. and the rest supersti.
tion.
1t was Saturday night. The two
could hear them talking rs went up.
stairs. 1t seemed that Halsey had
stopped at the Greenwood club for
gasolene and found Jack Bailey there.
with the Sunday golf crowd. Mr.. Bal.
ley had not been hard to persuade
probably Gertrude knew why-and
they had carried him or triumphant.
ly. reused Liddy to get them some.
thing to eat-Thomas was beyond
reach In the 1odge-and paid no at.
tention to her evident terror OF the
kitchen regions. Then went to bed
The men were still In the billiard
room when I finally dozed OF. and the
last thing I remember was the howl
of dog In front OF the house. II
walled a crcscendo of woe that trailed
OF hopefully. only to break out afresh
from n new point of the compass.
At three o'clock in the morning
was reused by n revolver shot. The
sound seemed to come from Just out.
side my door. For n moment could
not move. Them heard Gertrude
stirring In her room. and the next
moment she had thrown open the con.
Meeting door.
20. Aunt Ray! Aunt Ray!" she
cried Historically. Some one has
been killed."
Thieves I said shortly. Thank
goodness. there are some men in the
house tonight was getting into
my slippers and a bath.robe, and Ger.
.tt I, ,h,t Lei,
II lamp. Then we opened the door
into the hall. where. crowded on the
upper landing of the stairs. the maids.
white-faced and trembling. were peer.
ing down. headed by Liddy. | was
greeted by n series OF low screams
and questions, and ! tried to quiet
them. Gertrude had dropped on n
chair and sat there limp and shiv
ering.
went at once across the hall to
Halsey's room and knocked: then |
pushed the door open. It was empty:
the bed had not been occupied.
He must be in Mr. Bailey's room.
| said excitedly. and followed by Lid.
dy. we went there. Like Halscy's. It
had not been occupied! Gertrude was
on her feet now. but she leaned
against the door for support.
They have been killed. she
gasped. Then she caught me by the
arm and dragged me toward the
stairs. They may only be hurt, and
we must find them" she said. her
eyes dilated with excitement.
I don't remember how we got down
the stairs: do remember expecting
every moment to be killed. The cook
was at the telephone upstairs. calling
the Greenwood club. and Liddy was
behind me, afraid to come and not