Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-08-27

voices. and 300 hands were clasped
over another hundred bosoms.
"You ladies' were appointed TO show
these-these lntrudcrs the premises
Go ut once aud make search for
them. Bring them and the three miss
Ing girls here. All others remain
where you are"
Meanwhile there was concentra-
ton OF the encmy's forces The three
visitors and the three missing young
ladies' were In room together. and
the girls knew that the visitors were
men who had walked into lions or
rather a lioness' den. Miss Butler was
terror stricken ON behalf Of her cous
IN, AID the other two girls sympa-
thized with her and them. The girls
were startled at the sound of the sig
nal order for all TO appear In the pres
Idcnt's Office Miss Butler, seeing that
the battle was on, took command.
Two points OF retreat were 10 be con
sidcred, the cellar and the cupola. She
chose the latter.
'You girls" she said 10 Misses Fair
child and Waterman, ''go and report
Leave these boys to me-"
ut would not be honorable" said
Miss FaIrchild, ITO let you shoulder
the matter. l shall go with you
"ye. too said Miss Waterman. her
excitement getting the better Of her
grammar.
The six Of them ran Up TO the Gu
pola and closed the trapdoor behind
them. Then they all sat down OH the
door. screened from any one below by
the encircling railing and seat
Battles are often won or lost In con-
sequence OF some trihing incident, and
II was so In this case. One OF the
searchers whose part II was to visit
the cupola attempted TO open the trap
door. Since she could not move II. she
assumed that II was locked She was
about to go for the key when II oc.
CURED TO her that II It were locked no
one could hide there. so she reported
nothing found"
When the search committee returned
to the president and reported that not
only the three visitors. but the three
.
ished a hundred voices mingled. each
voice suggesting some means whereby
the vanishmcnt might have occurred.
In this way much time was consumed.
and a couple OF hours had elapsed be-
fore any further action was taken.
might or Blucher.' as Wellington
said at Waterloo" moaned Griggs.
what do you mean by that:" asked
Hughes.
IL mean that II we don't get show
TO leave the place pretty soon under
cover Of darkness it's all up with us.
Fortunately while he spoke the shad-
ows were deepening. As soon ms 1t
was dark he told the others that he
was going 10 slide down steep dc
scent OF the roof TO a lightning rod and
thence 10 the ground. IL he WAS not
put out OF the fight. then the next man
was TO leave by the same route. The
girls told him the rod had been In place
for thirty years or more and surely
would not hold. But Griggs determined
TO try IT, Hughes watched him rs he
descended I'LL he was lost In the dark
ness. Presently there was the sound
Of shake on the rod, signal agreed
upon to Indicate that he was on terra
firma.
Hughes followed Griggs, and Mason
followed Hughes. The girls were
alone
Now, II needs To he stated that all
this occurred AT the time when Hal
ley's comet was Haunting its tall nj
the earth In the western sky No soon
er had the last man descended than
Miss Butler. looking mp NJ the heavens
for inspiration IN forming plan 10 get
out Of the dilemma. saw the comet
Girls. have IT, she exclaimed.
How: What: Which," cried the
other two at once.
open the trap and call down for
them TO come up and see the comet"
1.-The very thing" exclaimed the 9TH
or two.
Miss Fairchild pulled up the trap.
and all called out
Hello. hello. Mary. Blanche. Sadie.
everybody! Come up and see the com
ct"
The ladies. who We're scattered about
below. all ran TO the foot OF the cupoia
stairs.
"call Mrs. President cried Miss
Wrinkles. vice president and custodian.
The president was called Mean
while the calls from above were con-
tinued.
"Oh. do everybody come up and see
the comet It's beautiful. The tails
are ms long as broom handle"
Young ladies'" cried the stern voice
II tho president. come down and give
an nccount 81 yourselves
The girls descended, each wearing a
well fcigncd look OF innocent surprise.
How long have YOU been up there"
asked the president.
I'VE went up this afternoon, said
Miss Butler. with our work. II was
~ cool up there. Then when Il began
to get dark We concluded we'd stay