Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-03-08


trunk lightly. She was bare
headed, and the candle light was max
ing acquaintance with the gold in her
hair She wore her white sweater, as
on that day in the orchard. and with
much gravity, as our eyes met. she
thrust hand into it's pocket and drew
out a cracker l was not half so sur
prised at finding her there as wRs at
her manner now that she was caught
She seemed neither distressed, aston
ished nor afraid.
We'll. Miss HezekiRh." I said, 81
half suspected you all along"
wise chimney man! You were a
little slow about it though"
81 was indeed. You gave me a run
for my money"
She finished her cracker at the third
bite, slapped her hands together to
free them of possible crumbs and was
about to speak when she jumped light
ly from the trunk, bent her head to-
ward the door, and then stepped back
again and faced me imperturbably.
And now that you've found me. Mr..
Chimney Man. the jokes on you after
all"
She laid her hand on the door and
swung it nearly shut. l had heard
what she had heard. Miss Octavia was
coming upstairs. She had exchanged
a few words with the Swedish maid
on the second floor landing, and Heze-
kiah's quick ear had heard her. But
Hezekiah's equanimity was discomfort
ing. Even with her aunt close at hand
she showed not the slightest alarm.
She resumed her seat on the trunk
and her heel thumped it TRANQUILITY.
The jokes on you. Mr.. Chimney
Man, because now that you've caught
! me playing tricks you've got to get me
out of trouble"
What If / don'tT
"Oh, nothing" she answered indif-
ferently, looking me squarely in the
eye.
But your aunt would make no end
of a row, and you would cause your
sister to lose out with Miss Octavia
/ AS l understand it, you're pledged TO
I keep off the reservation. 1t was part
! of the family agreement"
/ "Mr. Ames, if you are ghost hunting
/ in this part OF the house
1t was Miss Octavia's voice. She
was seeking me and would no doubt
/ find me. The sequestration of Heze-
! kiah became now an urgent and deli
/ cate matter.
You caught me-" said Hezekiah
calmly, land now you've got to get
me out, and I wish you good luck. and,
/ besides, lost one of my shoes some
where, and you've got to find that"
In proof of her statement she sub
mitted d shoeless, brown stOckinged
/ foot for my observation.
The one / lost was like this" and
Hezekiah thrust forth a neat tan
pump rather the worse for wear. Il
was on the second floor a bit ago" she
began, land lost my slipper"
I'm what mischief, pray?"
"Mr Ames," called Miss Octavia, her
voice close at hand.
II wanted TO see something in Ce-
elias room. so | opened her door and
walked in-that's ALL" Hezekiah re-
! piled.
Wicked Hezekiah! Coming into the
house is bad enough in all the circum-
stances. Entering your sisters room
is grievous sin"
IF, Mr.. Ames. you are still seeking
an explanation OF that chimney's be
haviOr"-
1t was Miss Octavia, now just out
side the door.
Don't leave that trunk, Hezekiah,' "
whispered. IN do the best | can. y
Miss Octavia met me smilingly as
faced her in the hall. She had switch
ed on the lights, and my candle burn
ed yelIowly IN the white electric glow
Miss Octavia held something in bel
hand. 1t required no second glance to
tell me that she had found Hezekiah'l
slipper.
"Mr. Ames," she began, las you have
absented yourself from the library al
evening / assume that you have beer
busy studying my chimneys and seek
ing for the ghost of that British sol
der who was SO wantoRly slain upor
the site of this house"
ct am glad TO say that not only Il
your surmise correct. Miss HOLSTER
but that have made great progress IL
both directions"
DO you mean to say that you hav'
really found traces Of the ghost?"
Not only that. Miss HOLSTER, but
have met the ghost face TO face-evel
more, 1 have had speech with him.
Her face frightened, her eyes fash
ed. 1t was plain that she was i'm
mensely pleased.
And are you able to say from you
encounter, that he Is In fact a BritsI
subject, uneasily haunting this hous
in America long after the Declare do
Of Independence and Washington
farewell address have passed into lii
eratureT
you have never spoken a true
word, Miss Hollister; but, by mean
which / am not at liberty TO disclose
have persuaded him not TO visit thi
house again"
Then" said Miss HOLSTER, Il car
not do less than express my gratitude
though regret that you did not frs
allow me TO meet him. Still. | dar