The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1913-09-11

worse for my wetting. The service OF
the house was perfect, and In response
to my ring man appeared who de-
clared himself competent to knock my
dress clothes into shape again.
| Cecilia met me at the foot of the
stairs, looking rather worn, thought.
We were safe from interruption mo-
ment longer. as her aunt's gun was
still booming, and l followed her to
| the library.
please don't tell me you have fall
ed" she cried tearfully. THAT little
book means so much, SO very much, to
US all!'
"Here it is, Miss Holister," said.
placing 1t in her hand without parley.
II beg to assure you that l return 1t
Just as you saw it last. Please satisfy
yourself that it has not been tempered
with in any way. have not opened
1t, and 1t has not left my hand since I
recovered It,"
She had almost snatched 1t from me,
and she turned slightly away and ran
hurriedly over the leaves.
II thank you, Mr.. Ames. Thank
you! thank you! You have rendered
me the greatest service, and I hope
you were able to do so without serious
Inconvenience to yourself"
ION the other hand, it was the small
est matter, and instead Of being q
trouble I found the greatest pleasure
in recovering 1t. Is 1t not possible
that in throwing rejected correspond
ence cards into the waste paper basket
that stands beside your desk-there 10
such basket, Is there not?"
"Yes," she replied breathlessly.
"Is it not possible, then, that that lit
tie booklet, hardly heavier than paper
itself, may have been brushed of with
out your seeing it?"
1T is possible, I must admit that It
is possible, butt
"The well trained maid who cares
for your room, seeing scraps of paper
in the basket by your desk, naturally
carried It of. When accepted your
commission last night went directly
to the cellar, sought the bin into which
waste paper is thrown and found
among old envelopes and other litter
this small trinket, which but for my
promptness might have been lost for
ever"
ut doesn't seem possible" she fal-
tered. q. ~~'---'-' =. -a@''s''-.
"Oh!" I laughed easily. Possible
or impossible, you could not on the
witness stand swear that the book had
not dropped into the waste paper bas-
ket precisely as I have described?"
mo, l suppose I couldn't" she an
swered slowly.
| My powers Of mendacity were I'm
proving, but her relief at holding tho
book again In her hand was SO great
that she would probably have believed
anything. nv
(. "You see," she said, clasping tho
book tight, this was given me for q
particular purpose; and it contains .
memorandum Of greatest Importance.
And was in panic when l found
that It was gone, for my recollection
OF certain items had recorded here
was confused. and there was no poesa
BILE way Of setting myself straight
Now all is clear again. feel that
make poor acknowledgment Of your
service, but If at any time
spray think no more Of It," l 70
piled. And at this moment Miss Hol-
lister appeared and called US to break
fast.
III it Is perfectly agreeable to you.
Arnold, I will hear the story Of the
finding of the ghost at O'Clock, or
Just before tea. have sent tele-
gram to Mr.. Pepperton asking him to
be present. He's at his country homa
in Redding and can very easily motor
down. As no motors are allowed on
my premises, he shall be met at The
gate with trap"
."You have, sent for Peppertong' I
exclaimed.
"That is exactly what have done.
and as he knows that I never accept
:. apologies under any circumstances he
will not disappoint me. In addition
to reprimanding him for not telling
me Of the secret passage in this house,
have another matter that concerns
), you, Arnold, which wish to lay be-
fore him. The new cook that Provf-
dence sent to my kitchen yesterday -
the best we have had, Cecilia, and I
beg that you both indulge yourselves
in second helping Of country scram-
bled eggs"
A little later l met Miss Hollister In
the hall dressed for her ride.
"Arnold, you may ride whenever you
like. | may have forgotten to mem
tion it. What have you on hand ths1
morning"
IAN appointment with lady," 70
|, piled.
IF you are about to meet the owner
Of that Beacon street slipper l wish
you good luck"
She was drawing on her gauntlets
and turned away to hide a smile, l
thought Then she. tapped me lightly
, with her riding crop.
"Cecilias silver notebook was miss
, ing last night She told me Of her loss
with tears. She has it again this morn
: 49,. ras- H-TH f-aAnss d 3