Graham guardian., 1913-08-15

from the clouds at my feet tlferc In
sedate Beacon street, that most sol,
emn Of residential sanctuaries."
"Mr Ames." began Miss Hollister In
stantly, with an assumed severity that
her smile belled. az cannot recall that
my niece HeZekiah ever visited In Bea-
con street, yet | dare say that II she
had done so aud young man of your
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 nice calculation directly In
front OF you. But now. Mr.. Ames. will
you kindly carry your candle into that
trunk room?"
The foundations Of the world shook
as remembered the compact by which
Hezeklah was excluded from the house
and realized what her impending dis
coyery would mean to Cecilia, her fa-
ther and the wayward Hezekiah too.
But was In for It. Miss Octavia in
dicated by an imperious nod that I wns
to precede her Into the trunk room. and
str0de before her with my candle
held high.
But the sprites Of mystery were still
abroad at Hopefield. The room was
unoccupied save for the truuks. Heze-
kiah had vanished, Instead of sitting
there to await the coming of her aunt,
she had silently departed without leav-
ing trace. Miss Hollister glanced up
at the trapdoor In the ceiling. and so
did |. 1t was closed, but did not
doubt that Hezekiah had crawled
through II and taken herself to the
roof Miss octavia would probably or
der me at once to the battlements. but
worse YVES TO come.
"Mr. Ames." she said. twill 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 II be possible that when
l lifted the cover that golden head
would be found beneath? My life has
known no blncker moment than that In
which flung back the lid Of that trunk.
] averted my eyes In dread OF the i'm
pending disclosure and held the candle
close.
But the trunk was empty, Incredibly
empty! My courage rose again. and !
glanced ut Miss Octavia triumphantly
even jerked out the trays to nllay any
lingering suspicion Why had ! ever
doubted Hezekiah? Who was she. the
golden haired daughter Of kings. to be
caught in trunk? She had slipped up
the lndder while talked TO her aunt
end was even now hiding on the roof,
but it was not for me to make so trea-
sonnble n suggestion. Miss Octavfa
might press the matter further II she
liked. but would not help her to trap
Hezekiah.
Miss Hollister did not, to my surprise
nnd relief, suggest an inspection 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 Il
Beacon street roof or window. now
tender you my sincerest apologies"
She put out her hand, smiling charm
Ingly.
Pray return to the occupations which
were engaging you when l 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 | dare say we shall find the
bones OF that British soldier some
where beneath the foundations. As
for that trifiing 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 win
dow OF Rittenhouse square. Philadel-
phia."
Hezekiah on the roof was safe for
time. Miss Octavia's gentle rejection
VI DcuCOh otEtCt oucNuott anu iCt
that Hezekiah had been an
participant OF the comedy of
the ghost had been dlsquieting, and in
my relief Of her Abandonment Of the
search | loitered on downstairs with
my hostess. | wished to impress her
with the idea that was without ur-
gent business, Hezekiah would, beyond
doubt, amuse herself after her own
fashion ON the roof until l 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 rs Hezekiah
sat among the chimney crooks nursing
one stockinged foot and waiting for
me to turn up with her lost slipper It
would do her no harm to nibble the
bitter fruit Of repentance with another
biscuit.
Ito BE CoNTINUED)