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

pleasing appearance had passed be-
meath her window one OF her slippers
might very easily have become de-
tached from Hezekiah's foot and fall
en- with a nice calculation directly IT,
front Of you. But now. Mr. Ames. villa
you kindly carry your candle into that
trunk room?"
The foundations of the world shook
as l remembered the compact by which
HeZekiah was excluded from the house
and realized what her impending dis
covery would mean to Cecilia. her fa"
Their and the hayward Hezekiah too.
But was in for it. Miss Oe'avia in
Dictated by an imperious nod that l was
TO precede her into the trunk room, and
strobe before her with my candle
held high.
But the sprites of mystery were still
abroad at Hopefied. The room was
unoccupied save for the trunks. Heze.
kiah had vanished. Instead OF sitting
there TO await the coming of her aunt,
she had silently departed without leav-
ing a trace. Miss HOLSTER glanced up
did l. 1t was closed. but l did not
doubt that Hezekiah had crnwlea
through 1t and taken herself to the
roof Miss Octavia would probably or
der me at once to the battlements. but
worse was TO come.
"Mr. Ames," she said. will you kind
ly lift the lid OF that largest trunk?"
had not thought of this. and / shud.
dered at the possibilities.
She indicated the trunk upon which
| Hezekiah had sat and nibbled her
| cracker not more than ten minutes be
fore. Could it be possible that wheg
l lifted the cover that golden hOa1
would be found beneath? My life has
| known no blacker moment than that J.
which flung back the lid of that trunk.
| averted my eyes in dread Of the iu-
| pending disclosure and held the candle
! close.
But the trunk was empty. incredibly
| empty! My courage rose again. and ]
! glanced at Miss Octavia triumphantly.
| even jerked out the trays to allay any
lingering suspicion. Why had ever
! doubted Hezekiah? Who was she. the
| golden haired daughter of kings. to he
/ caught in trunk? She had slipped up
1 the ladder while | talked to her aunt
! and was even now hiding on the roof.
/ but it was not for me to make so trea.
sonabe a suggestion. Miss OctaviI
might press the matter further if she
liked, but would not help her to trap
! Hezekiah
oil -, de-,
and relief. suggest an inspe ton of the
roof. She nodded her head gravely
and passed out into the hall
"Mr. Ames, II | implied a moment
ago that | doubted your story of the
dropping Of that tan pump from u
Beacon street roof or window, 1 now
tender you my sincerest apologies"
She put out her hand, smiling charm
ingly.
Pray return TO the occupations which
were engaging you when interrupted
you. You have never stood higher in
my regard than at this moment. To-
morrow you may tell me all you please
of the ghost and the mysteries OF this
house, and l dare say we shall find the
bones OF that British soldier some
where beneath the foundations. As
for that trifing bit Of leather you hold
in your hand, it's rather passe for
Beacon street The next time you tell
that story suggest that you play your
game OF drop the slipper from n win
dow of RitteDhouse square, PhilHdel-
phia."
Hezekiah on the roof was safe for
time. Miss Octavia's gentle rejection
Of my Beacon street anecdote and her
intimation that Hezekiah had been an
unbiIled participant Of the comedy OF
the ghost had been disquiettng and in
my relief of her abandonment Of tho
search | loitered on downstairs with
my hostess. | wished to impress her
with the idea that | was without ur-
gent business. HeZeIIiah would, beyond
doubt, amuse herself after her own
fashion on the roof until / was ready
to release her AS had quietly locked
the trunk room door and carried the
key in my pocket ! was reasonably
sure Of this. Humility is best acquired
through tribulation, and as Hezekiah
sat among the chimney crooks nursing
one stockinged foot and waiting for
me to turn up with her lost slipper II
would do her no harm to nibble the
bitter fruit of repentance with another
biscuit.