The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-11-27

1 MISE Juuftn FOX was SpShA'Hc
Thanksgiving with her aunt, Mrs. Tay-
lor. at Windmere, an attractive coun-
try estate located about ten miles
from Sweet Brier. where Miss Fox was
attending the seminary. Colonel Mad
ison Taylor, her uncle. was compelled
! to forego being with his family upon
this national holiday, and was UNI
| aveidedsy- detained in Richmond by
business engagements, and his good
wife had taken occasion, in view OF
his enforced absence. TO invite to
Windmere their niece and her eleven
classmates, the twelve being members
Of the same sorority at school. and
they were to form the house party
of Mrs. Taylor.
! Colonel Taylor. being gentleman
TO the manor born. had considered the
comfort Of his folk, and had secured
:! the country round in quest of fine
gobbler, and had succeeded in obtain
ing a thirty five-pound bird for the
function. This had been shipped 20
the Taylor home. and. accompanied
| by all OF the attractive Incidents and
side dishes that go to make up SUCH
affairs, it had furnished supreme sat
isfaction and contentment to the pal
ates Of twelve about as hungry girls
as are usually found in boarding
schools of this day and time.
The morning had begun most au-
spiciousiy, and these daughters of Eve,
minus single specimen Of the genus
homo. had managed to make out
most pleasing day of IL. The shades
OF evenings twilight had given way to
sombre darkness without a striking
contrast to the briIliancy and light
heartedness within. The hour was
getting late. and soon subdued tones
and tendency to frequent gaping be-
tokened the rapid advent of the hour
i for rest The old family heirloom,
grandfathers' clock, was striking the
haf-hour after midnight. This fam
lily relic stood on the landing Of the
grand stairway. in the spacious hall at
| Wjndmere. Thanksgiving day had
passed The merry company which
had spent the evening at the old man
sion had departed, leaving only the
sorority girls, who composed the
house party.
Hardly an hour before the joyous
group had made the walls fairly ring
with their mirth and laughter. The
parlors. where short interval before
were filled with dancers, were now
vacant. The card tables had been
/ folded and stacked on the floor. The
chafing- dish actually looked forIorn,
where not long before had been group
ca a -IQliI. CroWd Oh SEMINARY uepu
tantes, reveling over the many good
qualities OF fudge. The embers in the
large open fireplace were fast beeom-
ing ashes. and the chestnut huils were
popping on the few remaining live
/ Goals.
i "Come. girls" called Mrs. Taylor
i from above tU tine group below, the
merry members Of which had seen fit
to turn back from the hallway. and
were once more standing about the
chatting dish. eating the last remain
Ing crumbs of fudge, 'it is now after
midnight, and time for you all 10 re-
/ tire
! "All right, auntie. we'll be there in
/, a minute" called out Judith, and then
motioned the party to follow her. She
saw fit TO lead them by circuitous
route through the buffers pantry.
where could be seen the remains of
the days sumptuous repast-the reltct
of the king of all festal birds. the tur-
key-together with all the other good
things, that had forcibly appealed to
their appetites few hours before. As
they passed in review. each plucked
remembrance from the remaining
hits OF breast of this once proud fowl
of the barnyard, which lay upon
huge platter. One spied pumpkin
lpie on a side shelf, and 1t took but
moment TO seize and divide II into
twelve equal portions. each getting but
bite.
Soon after this all had reached the
upper noor, where Mrs. Taylor met
them and assigned each TO her respec-
tive room. After CHEEKY goodnight
and a parting kiss, Judith and her
aunt repaired to the south room.
where they were soon ready for the
Land of Nod.
I els Don in the house, Aunt Mae?"
asked the young girl as her eyes were
about TO close. Don was the large
Scotch collie. and the pet of the folk
of Wiindmere.
Yes. dear; he was asleep on the
kitchen floor when / came up. But.
why do you ask - aueried her aunt.
| ''Oh, I always feel safe when Don
! is around. especially when Uncle Mat
+ is away from the place replied Ju
dith. with little nervous laugh. ''Oh.
I am No glad he is here for l can now
go To sleep: so goodnight, auntie
dear and quietude soon reigned
throughout the old mansion.
| One thirty A. NJ. found windmere
in total darkness. and. although the
cold November wind outside whistled
/ through the cracks and crannies. and
shook the old-fashioned easements OF
/ the tptpHtat butuiAS. yet us Southi IA
occupants slept on possessed of rest
full feeling Of security that is incidental
! to the vigor and warm blood OF fresh
young womanhood. As the old time
| piece on the stair landing struck the
| hour of two, Mrs. Taylor awoke with
start, and abruptly sat up In bed in
a listening attitude. The Silence about
the place was painful and death-like-
Crash. 1t was the sound of dishes be-
ing ruthlessly broken. Evidently some
one must be in the house. Horrors! II
lit could be true The sounds appeared
10 come from the buffers pantry,
| Could she be dreaming? asked the now
| thoroughly frightened listener Of her
self. What are those sounds OF dogs
/ barking in the distance? Could IL be
hloodhounds of Hades trailing .fugi-
tive from the abode OF the damned,
who had taken refuge within the in
fiting walls Of Windmere? No. no;
II cannot be dream. Another crash,
Judith. Judith: wake up dear: there
must be burglars in the house." ex-
citedly exclaimed Mrs. Taylor. in a
subdued tone. at the same time giving
her niece's bed shake.
Judith was only half asleep. yet
heard her aunts agonizsd voice. which
brought her from dreamland TO thor
ough wakefulness. The frightened girl
spI ing from her couch and ran to her
aunt At this juncture Mrs. Taylor
nushad the electric hutton which tl1ru