The Ordway new era., 1915-03-05

at the state her things were in She
drew my head down to her and her
eyes were fairly popping out Of her
| head.
Il feel az though I'm going crazy
Minnie!" she whispered. but the only
things that are gone are my letters
from Mr.. Jones. and-my black woolen
tights!"
l slept late the next morning, and
when I'd had breakfast and waded tc
the spring house 1t was nearly nine.
As I fioundered out thought saw
somebody stink around the corner OF
the spring-house. but when got there
nobody was In sight. was on my
knees In front of the fireplace. raking
out the fire. when heard the door
close behind me. and when l turned.
there stood Mr.. Dick. muffied to the
neck. with his hat almost over his
face.
What the deuce kept you 30 late
this morning?" he demanded. in a
sulky voice. and limping over to a
table he drew a package out of his
pocket and slammed 1t on the table.
II was up half the night. as usual"
I said. rising. 'You oushtn't to be
here. Mr.. Dick!" i5lz
He was pulling something out OF
his oyercoat pocket. an inch at time.
For Gods sake, Minnie" he ex-
claimed, return this-this garment to
-whomeyer 1t belongs to!"
He handed II to ME. and It was Miss
Cobb's black tights! stood and
stared.
And then" he went on. reaching
for the package on the table. when
you've done that, return to 'Binkie'
these letters from her Jonesie.
Don't stand and stare" he con.
tinued irritably. when didn't make q
move. at least get that-that Internal
black garment out Of sight"
$50 1t was you'll" gasped. putting
the newspaper over the tights. why
in the name OF peace did you jump out
OF the window, and what did you want
with-with these thlnEs?"
Want with those thinss!" he
snarled. II suppose you can't under
stand that man might wake up in
the, middle Of the. night with a mad
craving for pair of black woolen
tights. and" M
you needn't be sarcastic with me"
broke in. You can save that for
your wife. / suppose you also had a
wild longing for the love-letters of an
insurance agent"
And then 1t dawned on me. and I
sat down and laughed until / cried.
And you thought you were stealing
your own letters!" cried. 1.-The ones
she carries fre insurance on! oh, Mr.
Dick. Mr.. Dick!"
"How was to know It wasn't Ju-
Miss Summers' room?" he demanded
angrily. Didn't I follow the drafted
dog! gave her the beast myself. oh.
! tell you. Minnie. II ever get away
from this place"
You've got to get away this min
ute, broke in. remembering They'll
be coming any instant now"
He got up and looked around him
helplessly.
''Where'll so?" he asked. Il can't
go back to the shelter-house."
looked at him and he tried to grin
"Facf.s he said, .'hard to believe. but
fact, Minnie She's got the door
locked. Didn't tell you she is OF
suspicious nature? She was asleep
when left, and mostly she sleeps all
night. And Just because she wakes
VIXEN I'm out, and lets me come in
thinking she's asleep, when she has
one eye open all the time. and she sees
what I'd never even seen myself-that
the string OF that damned garment,
whatever 1t is, is fastened to the hook
of my shoe. me thinking all the time
that the weight was because I'd broken
my leg jumping she suddenly
sit up and ask me where I've been
And lin unsuspicious, Minnie. by
nature, and said I'd been asleep
Then she jumped up and showed me
ing to my shoe. and she hasn't spoken
to me since. wish was dead"
And Just then dog barked outside
and somebody on the step stamped
snow on his feet We were both para
lyzed for a moment.
..Julia!" Mr.. Dick cried, and went
white.
made leap for the door. Just as
the handle turned, and put my back
against it. J5,
Just minute... I called. "The car.
pet is caught under i'll"
Mr.. Dick had lost his head and was
making for the spring. as II he thought
hiding his feet would conceal him.
made frantic gestures to him to go
into my pantry, and he went at last.
leaving his hat on the table. left
the door and flung It, after him-the
hat. Of course, not the door-and when
Miss Summers sauntered in Just after.
Il was on my knees brushing the
hearth. with my heart going three
four time and skipping every sixth
teat.
"Hellon" she said. Lovely weather
for polar bears. II the natives wade
through this all winter it's no wonder
they walk as II they are ham-strung.
Don't bother getting me glass. Ill