Graham guardian., 1911-08-18

oAhpah ih0hOSohy bSAotSNos w.
conceal the jewels there and will de-
scribe their hiding place so that in
case anything happens to me one of
our family may be able to recover
them, even II the bedstead should be
carried away.
"'First, one must observe the row
of hideously grinning faces-"gar-
goyles." grandfather called them-that
outline the top Of the headboard;
there are twenty-five of these gar
goyles In all, and one must press the
right eye Of the thirteenth gargoyle
from either end. when the face will
swing outward, disclosing q cavity.
Into this cavity have dropped the
leather bag containing the unset gems
they are worth many thousands of
dollars-and I hope to recover them
when the war is over"
Armed with hammer and screw
driver, husband and wife repaired to
the parlor and locked themselves with
In. greatly to the disgust Of the In
terested Norah. who availed herself
Of the keyhole as the only salve to
her wounded self respect.
"My dear girl, how do you think I'm
going to handle this thing alone? It
weighs ton. why wasn't 1t put In
the guest room?"
"The instant I saw 1t In the wagon
! knew 1t would never fit into that
room, so told them to put 1t In here.
We can remove 1t to the cellar after
WARRIOR store It."
at fits in here" remarked Win
chester.
'Iet us rip off the covering-I be-
lieve know just where to place my
finger on the spring! This is the head
board, Of course. and here are the gar
goylesw cried Flora excitedly.
Winchester took out his knife and
leisurely opened the blade. He lifted
one corner Of the bedstead. groaned
and dropped 1t heavily.
There was straining and swapping
Of cords as he applied his knife to the
wrappings.
ooh. Oh! am just as nervous as
can be-" cried Flora. regardless OF
her husbands groan as he dragged
aside the covering and disclosed the
rounded, polished top outlined by a
semicircle OF hidiously carved faces.
'Joye, what beaut" eiacu,ated
winchester, yet with a note OF respect
In his tone. "What nightmare!
Fancy Wishing a guest pleasant
dreams and then introducing him to
that couch! Whew! Now, which face.
Flora. lover"
Mrs. winchester triumphantly pro-
duced the paper from her hccs and
read solemnly: "The thirteenth gar
goyle from either end.
"The one IN tho middle, ct COURSE
announced Winchester.
"'Tress the right eye" quoted Mrs.
Winchester brcathleasly. ~ SHAH
have them set in glorious pendant,
Harry"
They hung expectantly over the
bed.
'Now pressm she whispered sibi-
lantly,
Winchester pressed.
Nothing doing" he announced Dat
ly.
'Press harder" urged his wife. "I'he
secret spring has probably ruatca
They do rust sometimes. don't theyY
~ never heard of one doing so, They
always yield easily, aud the door rolls
poiselessly aside and leaves nm aper-
ture," said Winchester grizzly,
"we must get II open" cried his
wife tearfuIly. TRY somo Of the 9TH
er eyes. Harry"
"But why try the others, my dear?
1t says the middle one."
"There is-there must be spring"
retorted Mrs. Winchester. why
should Nancy have put It In her diary
II there was not?"
" give 1t up when you ask me to en-
plain the vagaries of the female
mind began Winchester rs he vi.
elously jabbed the eyes Of all the gar
goyles In turn without result.
Flora burst into tears,
tDon't cry. my darling" comforted
her husband tenderly. "l'll find out
the truth IL l have to chop the con-
founded thing into kindlings.
III wish understood the meaning
of 1t anyway" said Winchester pres.
emily when his wife had reached a de-
gree Of tranquility where she could
nibble a bonhon appreciatiyeIy.
Again the tears flowed, u might
Just MS well have had another thou
sand dollarsr' walled Flora.
Winchesters elbow knocked q small
package from the table to tho floor
'What Is this2" he asked, picking "
UP,
IAN express parcel that came this
afternoon. haven't had time to look
at It,"
He ripped of the covers and looked
stupidity at a small leather volume In
his hand.
"The Diary of Nancy Gray" he ex-
claimed. A letter fell from the book,
and he opened 1t eagerly.
Read it!' commanded Flora impa-
tiently. And he read as follows:
my dear Mrs. winchester.-Your uncle.
the late Mr.. William Gray. has placed
this little volume in my hands with in
structions TO turn II over to you after
his death. or course you are aware that
YOUR uncle wrote this fantastical little
tale for his own amusement many years
ago. but II was never published. You
are probably In position to recognize
that yopr uncie's clever wit enabled him
to take great liberties with your family
history. AS the present owner OF the
Gargoyie bedstead. this little book will
prove to be of especial interest to you,
Congratulating you on tho possession OF
such a valuable antique. and with kind
regards am, very sincerely yours,