The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1910-12-15
cnAevGa xv.

| SVAVu0W Avs
| vhe clNeaseo0naoA.
On AoaAay ! vest est fsr ~ 1sse
time. ! I'D Det % - ths e0eA !
wanted 70 walk. ] thoaght frssh aiS
and exercise would drive away ths
blue devils that ha1 ne by tAs throat
Mcknight insistsl o. Q loag DAY n
! big car. but I refused.
Il doo't know Why not" hs SAID
sulkily. Il caat walk. haven't
walked two Consecutive blocks in
three years. Automobiles have made
legs mere ornaments-and' some not
even that. We could have johnson
out there chasing u over the country
at IS an hour"
He can chase u Just ~ well at ave
miles an hour" said. But what
gets me. Mcknight. 10 Why I am un.
der surveillance at al. How do the
police know was accused ot that
thing?"
The young lady who sent the Gov.
ers-she isn't likely to talk. 10 shs?"
mo. That 10. l didn't say It was .
lady" I groansd - tried to get my
splintered arm into . coat Anyhow.
she didn't tell" finished with con.
viction. and Mcknight laughed.
1t had rained in the early morning.
and Mrs. Kloptoa predicted more
showers. In fact 20 arm was her ~
lief and 10 determined her eye that
took the umbrella she proRered me.
Never mind" said. I'VE can
leave 1t next door! l have q story to
tell you. Richey. and It requires proper
setting"
Mcknight was puzzled. but he fol.
lowed me obediently around to the
kitchen entrance Of the empty house.
1t was unlocked, as had expected.
While We climbed to the upper door
retailed the events of the previous
night
It's the finest thing l ever heard
Of" Mcknight said. staring up at the
ladder and the trap. What q vaude-
vile skit 1t would make! Only you
ought not to have put your foot on
her hand. They don't do It in the
best circles"
l wheeled on him impatiently.
You don't understand the situatioa
at all. Richey!" l exclaimed. What
would you say II tell you 1t was the
hand Of q lady? It was covered with
rings"
"A LADY," he repeated. why. I'd
say it was 4 darned compromising sit
utation. and that the less you say Of
1t the better. Look here. Lawrence,
I think you dreamed it. You've been
in the house too much. l take 1t all
back; you do need exercise"
"she escaped through this door.
suppose" I said as patiently ~
could. Evidently down the back stair
case. We might as we'll 60 down that
way"
According to the best precedents
in these affairs. We should dnd 4 glove
about here" he said as We started
down. But he was more impressed
than he cared to own. He examined
the dusty steps carefully. and once.
when bit Of loose plaster fell Just
behind him. he started like a nervous
| woman.
What 1 don't understand is why
you let her Co." he said. stopping
once, puzzled You're not usually
quixotic."
when we get out into the country.
Richey." / replied gravely. Il am 60
ing to tell you another story, and II
you don't tell me I'm = fool and .
craven, on the strength Of 1t, you are
no friend of mine."
We stumbled through the twilight
of staircase into the blackness Of the
| shuttered kitchen. The house had
| the moldy smell of closed buildings:
even on that warm September morn
ing 1t was damp and chilly. As We
stepped into the sunshine Mcknight
gave a shiver.
Now that We are out" he said. Il
don't mind telling you that l have
been there before. Do you remember
the night you left. and the face at
the window"
When you speak of it-yes."
We'll. was curious about that
! thing" he went on. as We started up
the street. "and I went back. The
street door was unlocked, and I ex.
/ amined every room. I was Mrs. Klop.
tons ghost that carried light. and
clumb."
Did you find anything?"
only a clean place rubbed on the
window opposite your dressing room.
Splendid view Of an untidy interior.
II that house Is ever occupied. you'd
better put stained glass in that win.
dow of yours"
(To BE coNTINUEDD