The state herald. (Holyoke, Logan County, Colo.) 1887-1921, 1910-12-23
CHAPTER XIV.


By Sunday evening, week after
the wreck. my forced inactlon had
goaded me to frenzy. The very sight
of Johnson across the street or Turk
ing, always within sight of the house,
kept me constantly exasperated. It
was on that day that things began to
come to a focus, a burning-glass Of
events that seemed to center on me.
| dined alone that evening in no
cheerful frame OF mind, There had
been a polo game the day before and
had lent pony, which is always a
bad thing to do. And she had wrench
ed her shoulder, besides helping to
lose the game. There was no one In
town; the temperature was 30 and
climbing. and my left hand persistent
ly cramped under Its bandage.
Mrs. Klopton herself saw me served,
my bread buttered and cut in tldbits,
my meat ready for my fork She how
cred around me materially. obviously
trying to cheer me.
THE paper says still warmer" she
ventured. THE thermometer is 92
now"
And this coffee is 25O." said, put,
ting down my cup. Where is Eu.
phemia? | haven't seen her around,
or heard dish smash all day"
"Euphemia is in bed" Mrs. Klopton
said gravely. rs your meat cut small
enough. Mr.. Lawrence?" Mrs Klop,
ton can throw more mystery into an
ordinary sentence than any one
know. She can say, Are your sheets
damp, sir?" And | can tell from her
tone that the house across the street
has been robbed or that my left hand
neighbor has appendicitis. So now
looked up and asked the question she
was waiting for.
What's the matter with Euphe-
mia?" | inquired idly.
Frightened into her bed" Mrs.
Klopton said in stage whisper
shes had three hot water bottles
and she hasn't done n thing all day
but moan"
She oughtn't to take hot water
bottles" ! said in my severest tone
"one would make me moan You need
not wait. I'll ring II need anything.
Mrs Klopton sailed to the door
where she stopped and wheeled indig
nantly. Il only hope you won't laugh
on the wrong side OF your face some
morning. Mr.. Lawrence" she declared
with Christian fortItude But | warn
you. am going to have the police
watch that house next door"
| was half Inclined to tell her tina,
both II and we were under police sur
yeillance ut that moment Hut like
Mrs, Klopton, In spite OF the fact that
make her life torment for her. SC
refrained.
Last night, when the paper said II
was going to storm. | sent Euphemia
TO the roof TO bring the rugs In. Eliza
had slipped out although It was heI
evening in. Euphemia went up to tho
rvof-it was II o'clock-and soon
heard her running downstairs crying
When she got TO my room she Just
folded up on the floor She said there
was black figure sitting ON the para
pet OF the house next door-tho empty
house-and that when she appeared II
rose and waved long black arms al
her and spit like u cat"
had finished my dinner and was
lighting a cigarette N there was
any one up there, which doubt. they
probably sneezcd," suggested but
II you feel uneasy IN take looh
around tho roof tonight before turn
In As far az Euphomia goes.
wouldn't be- uneasy about hcr-doesn't
che always have an attack Of SOME
sort when Eliza rings In an cytu
evening nn hor1'
So ! made a superficial examination
Of the window locks that night visit
inF parts Of the house that I had moi
seen rinco bought H. Then ! went
70 the roof Evidently IL bad moi
been intended for any purpose saw,
TO cover the house, Tor unlike Tho
houses around. there was no staircase
A ladder and a trap door led to u. and
II required nomo nice balancing ON
my part to get up with my useless
arm made II. however and found
tails uncxplorcd part OF my domain
rather attractive. II was coolor than
downstairs. and ! sat on tho brloi
pafapet and smoked my final cigarette
The roof OF the empty house adioincd
mine along tho back wing. but inyoa
tlEhtian showed that the trapdoor
across the low dividing way wat
bolted underneath