Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1913-05-08

"A foot and the other beat the
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 u eyes met, she
thrust a hand into it's pocket and drew
out a cracker. l was not half so sur
prised at finding her there as I was at
She seemed neither distressed, aston
iShed nor afraid.
well, Miss Hezekiah," l said, II
half suspected you all along
"Wise chimney man! You were a
little slow about it though"
II 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
~ from the trunk, bent her head to-
ward the deer, 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 Oh you. MIR. Chimney
Man, because now that you've caught
me playing tricks you've got to get me
out of trouble"
What if l don't?"
"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
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 l wish you good luck, and,
besides. I lost one of my shoes some
where, and you've got to find that"
In proof OF her statement she sub
mitted a shoeless. brown stockinged
foot for my observation.
1.-THE one l lost was like this" and
Hezekiah thrust forth a neat tan
pump rather the worse for wear. II
was on the second fioor a bit ago." she
began, land lost my slipper"
"In what mischief, pray?"
"Mr. Ames," called Miss Octavia. her
voice close at hand.
II wanted to see something in &C.
cilia's room. so l 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 q 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,"
I whispered. "I'l do the best l can"
Miss Octavia met me smilingly as l
faced her in the hall. She had switch
ed on the lights, and my candle burn
ed yellowly in the white electric glow.
Miss Octavia held something in he,
hand. 1t required no second glance to
tell me that she had found Hezekiah's
slipper.
"Mr. Ames," she began, las you have
absented yourself from the library all
evening I assume that you have been
busy studying my chimneys and seek
ing for the ghost Of that British SOL
der who was so w%antonly slain upon
the site of this house."
II am glad to say that not only ls
your surmise correct, Miss HOLSTER.
but that I have made great progress IN
both directions"
do you mean to say that you have
really found traces Of the ghostf'