Graham guardian., 1913-08-22

Bent and Kissed Mise Oetavis's Hand.
taken. She rose as crossed the room
and from her manner judged that
she welcomed this chance OF address.
| Ing me.
you have scorned the library to-
night Has there been trouble? Is
Aunt Octavia alarmed about any
thing7"
Cecilia was beautiful. charming
woman Of the world, but felt her
spell less tonight, It may be that the
presence Of Hezckiah's slipper In my
inside coat pocket. pressing rather In
sistently against my ribs, acted an a
counterirritant,
You are In difficulty. Miss Cecilia"
| said. "Please tell me in what way
may serve you"
II don't know why | should appeal
to you
mo reason IN necessary. have told
you before that you need only to com
mand me. We may be interrupted at
any moment Pray 20 on.
Il have lost an article Of the greatest
value to me. II has been taken from
my room"
For moment only I read distrust
and suspicion In her eyes as II occur,
red to her that had access to every
part of the house. but my manner
seemed to restore her confidence. Aud
she could not have forgotten that her
own father had met her secretly on the
roof Of house that was denied him
and that was perfectly cognizant Of
the fact.
Il am sure you can be OF assistance"
she said. There's something behind
this ghost story. Some one has been
in and about the house. You believe
that7"
"ies. There has really been sort OF
ghost. you know"
She shrugged her shoulders. Cecilia
had no patience with ghosts. and we
were losing time. My conversation
with Cecilia was annoying Virgins. as
was plain from his nervousness.
Il went to my room for a moment
while Aunt 0ctavia WIS above. with
you. | suppose. Just after the chimney
gave another Of It's strange demonstra-
tions. remembered that had left
my little silver bound book, that | usu-
ally carry with me. on my dressing
room table, II contains a memoran.
DUN OF great Importance to me. II
positively cannot be duplicated. am
sure II wns there when came down
to dinner. But II was not on my dress
Ing table or anywhere to be found"
"iou may be mistaken as to where
you left 1t You would not be absolute
ly positive that you left 1t ON the dress. ]
ing table?''
There Is not the slightest question
about II. ] had been looking at 1t Just
before dinner had sent you a note.
you know. Immediately after you came
back and hurried down to see you"
"Yes: recall that You were In the
library when | came down Aud
think remember having seen the little
Enthusiastically smaller than card.
case. silver backed aud only few
leaves You had II In your hand the
other night when came In after Mr..
Hume had left"
She flushed slightly at this, but readi.
ly acquiesced In my description. Miss
Octavia's inquiry as to whether had
seen the book came back to me aud
no less clearly her withdrawal OF her
question almost the moment she Ind
spoken It.
felt the sudden impingement Of
HezekIah's slipper upon my own con-
science. II may so state the matter.
Hezeklah. playing ghost. had confessed
to me that she had visited Cecilia's
room. Hezekiah, amusing herself with
the library chimney aud frightening
the servants by stealing into the for
hidden house through the coalhole, was
n culprlt to he scolded and forgiven.
But what OF Hezekiah mischievously
hlching an article Of real value TO her
sister? ! did not like this turn of
affairs. ] must get back to the roof.
find Hezekiah and compel her to re-
turn the silver book. Only By tnctful-
ly managing this could serve well all
the members OF the house of HOllIster
But first ! must leave Cecilia with o
tranquil mind