Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-07-16

assumed tnaI IL was lOckeu- Sne WIS
about to go for the key when it oc-
Cured to her that If 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
prettiest girls in the home, had van
ished a hundred voices mingled. each
voice suggesting some means whereby
the vanishment 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 Butcher as Wellington
said at Waterloo" moaned Griggs.
What do you mean by that?" asked
Hughes.
81 mean that If we don't get a show
to leave the place pretty soon under
cover of dark ness it's all up with u.s."
Fortunately while he spoke the shad-
ows were deepening. AS soon as II
was dark he told the others that he
was going to slide down a steep de.
scent of the roof TO lightning rod and
thence to the ground. If 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 Bat Griggs determined
to try it. Hughes watched him as he
descended till 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, it needs to be stated that all
this occurred at the time when Hal
ley's comet was Haunting its tail at
the earth in the western sky. No soon
er had the last man descended than
Miss Butler. looking up at the heavens
for inspiration in forming u plan TO get
out of the dilemma. saw the comet.
Girls. 1 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"
"The very thingw exclaimed the 9th
er two.
Miss Fairchnd pulled up the trap.
and all called out:
"Hello, hello! Mary, Blanche. Sadie,
everybody! Come up and see the com
ct"
The ladies, who were scattered about
below, all ran TO the foot of the cupola
stairs.
Call Mrs. Presidentr' 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 as long as broom handle"
Young ladies'" cried the stern voice
Of the president, come down and give
an account OF yourselyesv'
The girls descended. each wearing a
well feigned look of innocent surprise.
How long have you been up there"
asked the president
1--WE went up this afternoon" said
Miss Butler, with our work. II was
so cool up there. Then when it began
to get dark we concluded we'd stay
till the comet grew visible"
Indeed! Where were you when the
signal bell rang?"
What signal bell?"
ITO report at my Office"
WAS there a signal bell to report at
your officer"
There was. Now I wish you to tell
me what has become of the three Wis.
itors who came here this afternoon"
What three visitorsY
The president, seeing that she was
bafled. gave in. and when the girls
turned upon her for her unjust suspi
cions she apologiZed and gave orders
that the disagreeable episode should
not be again mentioned.
That night the visitors told the story
of their adventures beside the camp
fire.