Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1913-04-24


1t was the voice of Hczekiah, |
knew before faced her. She wore a
blue sailor waist. with a broad red
ribbon tied under the collar. and
blue tam-o' -Shantcr capped her head.
She bore tray that contained my
omeet. plate of toast and other
sundres incidental to a substantial
breakfast. which she distributed deft
ly upon the table.
How did you get here?" l blurted,
my nerves still out of control.
The kitchen door. sir. had ridden
into the garden, and, seeing Aunt Oc-
tavia heading for the stables and Ce-
ella ut the kitchen window pedaled
boldly in. Cecilia wanted to borrow
my bicycle, and, being good little
sister, gave it to her She also said
that you required food. SO | told her
TO go and would carry you your
breakfast. shall skip myself in Il min
ute. You may draw your own coffee.
Mind the machine. 1t tips if you are
not careful"
She went to the window and peered
out toward the stables.
MAY | ask. daughter of kings,
where your sister has gone so sud
denly?"
"Certainly, She's off for town to
chase Il cook and few other people
to run this hotel. | heard at the post
office that the whole camp had desert
ed, so | ran over to see what was do
ing. And just for that I've got to
walk home"
But your aunt said that Providence
would take care of the servant QueS-
ton. She expected whole corps Of
ideal servants to come straying in dur
ing the day"
Cecilia hasn't Aunt Octavias conf
dence in Providence. so she's taking a
shot at the employment agencies. She
has left a note on the kitchen table to
inform Aunt Octavia that she had for,
gotten an engagement With the dentist
and has gone to catch the lois"
"That. TIezekah. is Il lie. 1t isn't
quite square 80 deceive your aunt that
way" | remarked soberly.
Hezekiah laughed
you absurdity! Don't you know
Aunt Octavia yet? She will be perfect
ly overjoyed when she comes back and
finds that note from Cecilia. She likes
disappearances. mysteries and all that
kind of thing. But it is barely posi-
BILE that you will have to wash the
dishes. | can't, you see, for I'm not
supposed to come on the reservation at
all-not until Cecilia has found hus-
band. Isn't ( perfectly deliciouS?"
"All of that, daughter of kings!
think that as soon as | can regain con-
fidence in my own sanity | shall like
it myself But"-and | watched her
narrowly-"you see, Hezekiah. there is
really ghost. you know"
Her divine laugh bubbled mellowly
She had walked guardedly to the win
dow and turned swiftly with mockery
of fear in her face.
Aunt Octavia approaches, and |
must be off. But that ghost Mr.. Chin
ney Man-when you find him please let
me know. There are lot of things |
want to ask some reliable ghost about
the hereafter"
With this she fled, and | heard the
front door close smartly after her An
instant later Miss Octava appeared
and asked solicitously how | liked my
Omelet.
THE coachman has been telling me
a capital ghost story He believes
them to be benefcent and declares that
he will under no circumstances leave
my employment"
She sat down and folded her arms
upon the table. For the first time |
believed that she was serious, There
was, in fact, troubled look on her
sweet, whimsical face. 1t occurred to
me that the loss of her servants was
not really the slight matter she had
previously made of it,
MIR. Ames. will you pardon me for
asking YOU a question of the most in
innate character: 1t is only after much
hesitation that | do SO
l bowed encouragingly. my curiosity
fully aroused.
You may ask me anything in the
world. Miss HOLSTER"
Then | wish you would tell me
whether can't express the dislike
feel in doing this-but can you tel, me
whether you have seen in the hands
Of my niece Cecilia a small. i very
small silver backed notebook
Yes have answered. greatly
surprised.
And may | ask whether-aud again
| must plead deep concern A. an ex
cuse for making Such an inquiry
whether you by any chance saw her
making any notation in that boOk:"
1 recalled the silver bound book per
fectly, but had attached no importance
u it. but if Ceei.ia's fortunes We're -
intimately related 70 it as Miss Hollis