The Holly chieftain., 1915-02-05
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stopped y moment while Alphonse lit
the lamps. and then they went on and
on. faster and faster. into the sum.
mer night. Once In q while they
passed lighted farmhouse and q dog
rushed out and barked at them. Twice
they whirled through small villages
and the villagers. going homo from
church. paused to watch them pass
and be swallowed up in the dark
ahead.
The general had been worried for
come time. They were apparently get
ting nowhere. He felt that he should
have consulted the blue book. He
was about to suggest that they stop
and get the book from the rear car.
when Bartlett waved toward the dark
bulk of . house looming out Of the
night. some little way ahead.
That's the place, " said he. 1--WE can
spend the night there and get one Of
the best chicken breakfasts ! ever
ate."
The general looked at the plaza and
rallied hts sinking spirits. 1t appeared
dark and he should say II was desert.
ed, but Bartlett doubtless knew what
he was talking about. The people
probably lived in the kitchen. He was
hungry and tired and the thought Of
hot sausages, bread and jam and milk
and then soft cool bed was nearly
A. good - the reality. He turned
gaily to the quiet three in the tom
neau.
Wake up and hear the birds sing"
Bartlett glanced back and laughed
"Asleep. eh1 We're there" he added.
turning the car neatly into the open
driveway. Guess you won't refuse .
good supper very strenuously."
The drive was rough and they rolled
slowly up to great dark house. stand
ing on . slight rise Of ground, q typi-
cal New England farmhouse, square
and saunt and unadorned. with q small
front stoop and long side porch.
From the trees behind the house,
came the dismal cry Of hoot owl.
~ the ears came to rest and an an
swering cry from the grove across the
road.
"0hosts," whispered the general.
"Oh. hush," pleaded Billy. There II
no need Of fooling with things like
that"
This house amt lived in," said the
Watermelon. a. he slipped from the
car to straishten his cramped legs
Folks gone to bed" explained Bart
lett cheerfully. since he was not the
one who had gone to bed. I'VE will
just have to rout them out"
He shut OF the power and alighted
from the car. pulling OF his gloves. Al
phonse came up in the other car and
peered out at the dark, quiet, lonely
house and shook his head with fore
bodings.
There isn't anyone here" insisted
the Watermelon. asleep or awake"
The general climbed out. "lf We had
consulted the book"
my dear sir" interrupted Bartlett,
bit trritated. "the book could not
possibly have told VI that the family
had moved since last fall when l spent
two weeks here. hunting"
Certainly not" laughed Henrietta,
who spent good part OF her life steer
ing with infinite care and constantly
growing skill between the scylla Of
her fathers wrath and the Charybdis
Of the burt feelings Of those whom the
general had offended. This 10 simply
one Of the unforeseen misfortunes Of
the road"
Besides" said Bartlett. Eve don't
know that the Higginses have gone!"
Don't you see that there aren't any
signs Of life?" demanded the Water
melon. He had lived by his wits 30
long that he noticed instinctively the
little things which mean 30 much and
are generally overlooked. "If there
war anyone here some window would
be open on night like this. wouldn't
it1"
CHAPTER x.