The Detroit times., 1912-10-12

\ We haven't anything 10 cry
about" said the Watermelon, frankly
unconcerned It's for the man who
owns the house to do the crying
How did we get here?" demanded
the general. as Alphonse went TO get
the blue book, for the general could
no longer be gainsaid In his desire
for his book. rs this where the Hig-
gins home should be-"
why. no. father" said Henrietta,
cor II would be here"
II meant, Henrietta, did we come
the right way? III we took every turn
and have come far enough and not
too far. this should be the Higgins
house"
ct should be-" admitted Bartlett.
But II isn't"
| Through the open door came the
many noises OF the summer night.
!, the incessant hum of insects, the
plaintive cry of the whippoorwill, the
strident chorus of the frogs in the
pond back of the barn. A moth, fut-
the table with scorched wings and
Billy tenderly pushed It on plate
and carried II to the door
Why not eat here?" suggested the
Watermelon. unimDressed by the az
pect OF the affair as 1t struck the
others. I'VE can hunt for the Hig-
ginses afterward. They ought to be
around somewhere unless we're help,
lessly lost.
/ Henrietta smiled and took out the
napkins she had laid back In the
basket at won't take us long" she
agreed. I'VE don't need to have any
Itea."
NO" protested Bartlett, glancing
at the door and listening for the
crunch OF wheels on the gravel with
out, mo, we must leave at once. We
aren't lost. The Higginses' is prob
ably the next house"
Suppose 1t isn't" said Billy.
"Just So" said the general. We
will return TO the village and put up
at the hotel. II isn't late"
Its half-past eleven" said Henriet-
Ia, glancing at her watch.
4 Alphonse returned, blase, indiffer-
tent. There are no books" said he.
devoid OF all interest in the affair
mo books?" cried the general.
l"Alphonse. what has become of
them? Did you take them out OF the
car before we left?"
No said Alphonse. and violent.
positive protestations could not have
been more convincing. zrr
But where are they? | left them
In the car"
Z, They probably fell out, father, .
said Henrietta.
! They have never fallen out be-
fore" snerted the general. with base
suspicious against Henrietta.
I'VE can get another tomorrow"
( said Henrietta. we will simply re-
turn to the hotel in the village for
the night" And once more she re-
placed the napkins in the basket.
Yes" agreed Bartlett. There is
ia good hotel near the railroad
tracks.
Where are the railroad tracks,"
asked the general, who had lost all
faith in Bartlett's knowledge OF the
country. I'VE passed no railroad
tracks"
| Just before you come to the vii
llage," retorted Bartlett, irritated as
a badgered animal 'You have TO
cross them as you come up the main
street"
I'VE crossed none" said the gen
Ieral, with the indifference of one who
realizes that there is no more 10 hope
| for The boat Is sinking, let IL sink.
! The last cent gone and the landlord
coming for two months rent. Let
him come.
NO" said Billy gently. I'VE didn';.
father"
Why. we did, We must have" pro-
tested Bartlett. Il always come here
on the railroad train. They have 10
flag it. but il stops. Why. | know
there are tracks there"
The general did not attempt TO
argue. I'VE are lost" said he. and
lone knew that the unfortunate event
was entirely due to the scorn OF Others
for the blue book.
n No. said Henrietta kindly, there
were no tracks. I remember saving
to Billy ] was glad there was one
town not spoiled by the garish con.
termination OF the world. Didn't l.,
Billy?''
'Yes, she did" admitted Billy. look.
ing pityingly at her father.
: II We didn't pass through WAYNE
we are lost and the Higgins home IA
/ probably miles from here and there
| is no use looking for it," said Bart
J lett, and smiled--grimly. the general
! Thought; happily, the Watermelon
thought. II would be rare luck 10 be
! lost thus early.
They were all gathered around the
table. except the Watermelon and AL
phense. Alphonse still stood by the
door, hat in hand. He was merely a
: paid hireling. His masters affairs
! were none OF his. The Watermelon
still sat on the dresser aud swung his
feet The predicament was only one
OF the many he was more or less al
/ ways involved in and not worth think.
ling about Bachelor and the police
! did not worry him that night. Il was
2 too early.
Why not eat something before wa
{ go?' he said. We have been here
3 about an hour now, and another hon.
! won't make our crime any the worse.
Yes agreed Henrietta promptly
! surprised at her own depravity
Q Let's" and again she took out IN,
plates and napkins.
4 Suppose they come back" softl,
; whispered Billy
5 Instinctively they all glanced at IN,
door. and Henrietta pause5 with he
! hands on the edge OF the basket.
4 The Watermelon laughed lyon
2 aInt worrying because Won broke int,