The Holly chieftain., 1914-08-07
CHAPTER VII.

| tered the ONCE OF Judge Blackwell by
appointment. After the business was
completed the Judge said with a
smile, We'll, our mystery Is solved.
The little girl is all safe. She tele-
phoned me just after you had left the
other day. and sent her maid after her
hat. 1t seems that while she stood
| by the window. looking down into the
street, she saw an automobile contain
, ing some Of her friends. 1t stopped
at the next building. Being desirous
OF speaking with girl friend who was
seated in the auto, she hurried out to
the elevator. hoping to catch them.
The elevator boy who took her down
stairs went of duty Immediately,
which accounts for our not finding any
trace Of her. and he was kept at home
by illness the next morning. The
young woman caught her friends. and
they insisted that she should get in
and ride to the station with one of
them who was leaving the city at
once. They loaned her a veil and a
wrap, and promised to bring her right
back for her papers and other posses
sions. but the train was late, and
when they returned the building was
closed. The two men who called for
her were her brother and a friend OF
his. 1t seems. l must say they were
not so attractive as she is. However.
the mystery is solved. and l got well
laughed at by my wife for my fears"
But the young man was puzzling
how this all could be II the hat be-
longed to the girl he knew-to Mary"
When he left the Judges Office. he
went to his club, determined to have
little quiet for thinking 1t over. He
was annoyed when the ofice-boy ap-
peared to tell him there were some
packages awaiting him in the ofice.
Bring them to me here, Henry"
The boy hustled away. and soon
came back. bearing two hat-boxes-
one of them In crate-and the heavy
leather suitcase.
With a start of surprise. Dunham
sat up In his comfortable chair.
Say, Henry, those things ought not
to come In here" He glanced anxious
ly about. and was relieved to flnd that
there was only one old gentleman in
the room. and that he was asleep.
Suppose we go up to a private room
with them. Take them out to the ele-
vator. and I'll some in moment"
"All right, sah."
And say, Henry. suppose you re-
move that crate from the box. Then
1t won't be SO heavy to carry"
"All right. sab. I'll be thah in Jest
minute"
The young man hurried out to the
elevator, and he and Henry made
quick ascent to private room. He
gave the boy round fee. and was left
in quiet to examine his property.
AS he fumbled the strings of the
first box his heart beat wildly, and he
felt the blood mounting to his face.
Was he about to solve the mystery
which had surrounded the girl In
whom his interest had now grown SO
deep that he could scarcely get her
out Of his mind for a few minutes at
time?
But the box was empty, save for
some crumpled white tissue-paper He
took up the cover in perplexity and
self Then he remembered. This was
the box he had sent down to the club
by the cabman, to get 1t out Of his
way. He felt disappointed. and turned
quickly to the other box and cut the
cord. This time he was rewarded by
seeing the great black hat. beautiful
and unhurt in spite of Its journey to
also the reputation Of his mothers
maid. But was there no word from
the beautiful stranger? He searched
hurriedly through the wrappings.
pulled out the hat quite unceremoni-
ously. and turned the box upside down,
but nothing else could be found.
Then he went at the suitcase. Yes.
there was the rain-coat. He took 1t
out triumphantly, for now his mother
could say nothing. and. moreover, was
not his trust in the fair stranger Jus
tined! He had done we'll to believe
in her He began to take out the other
garments. curious to see what had
been there for her use.
A long. golden brown hair nesting
on the collar Of the bathrobe cleaned
In chance ray Of sunlight He looked
at 1t reverently. and laid the garment
down carefully. that 1t might not be
disturbed. AS he lifted the coat. he
saw the little note pinned to the lapel.
and seized 1t eagerly. Surely this
would tell something!
But no. there was only the message
that she had arrival safaly and her