The Charles Mix new era. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1???-1911, 1910-07-15

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 q prominent ng-
ure In what happened later.
Gertrude was tired with the trip
and went up to bed very soon. I
made up my mind to tell them moth
Ing until the next day, and then to
make ~ light Of our excitement as
possible. After all, what had I to tell,
An inquisitive face peering in at a
window; . crash In the night: a
scratch or two on the stairs. and half
. u if.button! AZ for Thomas and his
forebodings, It was always my belief
that . negro II one part thief.
part pigment. and the rest supersti-
ton,
It was Saturday night. The two
men went to the billiard room. and |
could hear them talking as l went up
stairs. It seemed that Halsey had
stopped at the Greenwood club for
g~asolene 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 on triumphant
~. I reused Liddy to get them some.
thing to eat-Thomas was beyond
reach In the lodge-and paid no at.
tention to her evident terror OF the
kitchen regions. Then l went to bed.
The men were still In the billiard
room when I finally doxed on. and the
last thing ! remember was the howl
Of . dog In front OF the house. II
walled = crescendo OF woe that trailed
on hopefully. only to break out afresh
from . new point of the compass.
At three o'clock In the morning /
was reused by = revolver shot. The
sound seemed to come from just out.
side my door. For q moment l could
not move. Then--l heard Gertrude
stirring In her room. and the next
momen she had thrown open the con-
meeting door.
%. Aunt Ray! Aunt RAY" she
cried Historically. Some one has
been killed."
Thieves" ! said shortly. Thank
goodness. there are some men In the
house tonight" vas getting into
my slippers and a bath-robe. and Ger
trude with shaking hands was lighting
. 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 a series Of low screams
and questions. and / tried to quiet
them. Gertrude had dropped on q
chair and q there limp and shiv-
ering.
went at once across the hall to
Haisey's room and knocked: then l
pushed the door open. II was empty:
the bed had not been occupied!
He must be IN Mr.. Bailey's room,''
l said sxcitedly. and followed by Lid
dy. we went there. Like Halsey's, 1t
had not been occupied! Gertrude was
on her feet now. but she leaned
against the door for support.
They have been killed." abe
gasped. Then she caught me by the
arm and dragged me toward the
stairs. They may only be hurt. and
We must ind them." she said, her
eyes dilated with excitement.
don't remember how We got down
the stairs; ! do remember expecting
every moment to be killed. The cook
Wa at the telephone upstairs. calling
the Greenwood club, and Liddy Wal
behind me. afraid 70 ZONE and not