Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1914-08-27

~ 80 q Nou NoAS
with her?' she demanded Indignantly.
"Now, miss. you've spoiled the incest
bit of detective work | ever saw" rum
bled the big man in Il disappointed
tone. "Iou forget l To! you that if
We undertook this job we wouldn't
stand for any Interference
81 know it..' half sobbed the girl,
still clinging desperately to Chester's
arm. But when he is right here you
can ask him, the big, big villain" She
unconsciously gave Chestcr's arm Il
vicious little shake as she spoke.
ID you mean me?" he gasped.
"Of course l DO. Where is she?
What have YOU done with herr"
Il haven't the least idea what you
are talking about" said Chester. with
what dignity he could muster.
"You have Aunt Ophelia's umbrella!
Here is her note. 1 found it fastened
to her plncushion this morning when l
went to carry in her chocolate. Can
you deny that you are the maj men
toned in that note% Her little gloved
finger traced some lines of grabbed
handwriting before Chester's bewilder-
ed eyes.
Dear Phyllis" it read. 1.-The clock is
striking the witching hour of midnight,
Inc moon that shines on all true lovers
IS drawing a cloud over its friendly
face, SO that I may fly with my adored
Alexander. When you read this l will
be his wife. Sweet thought. Although
he Is many years my Junior, he appre-
clates the rich maturity of my years,
n l know we shall be very happy to-
gether. I will send for my trunks"
AN l to understand that your aunt
has eloped with q young man and you
believe that I am-er-the Alexander
mentioned in the note?" asked Chester,
with amusement.
"Why not? You have her umbrella.
1t is the only thing that was missing.
she is eccentric and always carried
the green umbrella when 1t looked like
rain. 1t rained last night. Where did
you get that umbrella" And the young
lady fixed accusing eyes on Chester.
Il see no harm in telling you," he
said sravely as he gave her one Of his
cards. 1t is apparent that I exchang-
ed umbrellas with your aunt. She
seemed so tiny and the umbrella was
SO lnrge and unmanageable that l was
constrained to offer her my lighter
one. She disappeared around the corner
OF T~Wenty-ninth street. l am afraid
that that will not be of much help to
you in your search"
Phyll1S Spencer looked gratefully at
him. but the two detectives continued
to eye him With some doubt.
did your aunt have any friends
or relatives in or near Twenty-ninth
street, asked Chester of the lovely
dark eyed girl.
She sInote her little gloved palms to-
gether in sudden excitement.
COT course. There is Miss Weldon.
the nurse she was so fond of. Miss
Weldon took care of Aunt Ophelia dur
Ing her long illness. The poor dear
has V been the same since. Of
course meant Aunt Ophelia,'' she ex-
pialned in response to Chester'S look
of puZzlement. Miss Weldon lived in
Twenty-ninth street somewhere. Mr..
Jones, you must have some suggestion
to make She turned impatiently to
the large detective.
I'll find olt-' he said grut1ly and
disappeared in an adjacent shop. Pres
entity he returned with the required in
formation. and the four. entering the
waiting taXicab. We're driven up to
Twenty-ninth street and to the num-
Der Jones had discovered.
II shall sc up and see her myself"
said Miss Spencer as they went up the
steps. perhaps Mr.. Folsom will 90
with me. She may recognize him as
the owner of her new umbrella"
At the first landing Ophelia tapped
lightly at Il door, and II pleasant faced
woman broke into relieved smiles at
sight of her.
oh. Miss Spencer! I'm so glad to
see you" she whispered cautiously.
i've tried TO telephone to your house.
but the servants said you We're out
looking for Your aunt. She frightened
me half to death. She came here in
the middle Of the night ard said she
was going 70 live With me. She went
out this morning. md l hoped she had
gone home. but she came back in an
hour, and now she is resting quietly"
Miss Weldon. this is Mr.. Folsom"
said Phyllis, whom l have treated
most rudely because found him with
Aunt Ophelia'S umbrella"
81 will return it reluctantly.' said
Chester. because it has been the
means ~of-of-well, some day I may
have the opportunity of explaining
to you why | pursued the green UNI
brella." he ended, with eager embar-
rassment.
perhaps YOU could come and tell
me about it some day, and you will
want to inquire for Aunt Opheiia.:
said Phyllis demurely.
When Chester reached the street he
was amazed to find that the address
Miss Spencer had given him was on
thp most fashionable rccidnnca c+roo+