The state herald., 1915-04-09
CHAPTER XVII.
AIphonse Rides Away.

AIphonse Rides Away.
"The stable-boy would have accest
to the back of the house. too" said
the general. who felt that II he had
not become a general and had escaped
being master mechanic, he would
have been a famous detective.
YES" agreed the Watermelon. but
l don't think 1t Is the boy. was out
until after eleven. and just before
came in l saw him drive up with the
girl. They had been out to some dance
and he left her and drove on"
The girl appeared in the doorway
wiping plate, slip-shod and awkward
Henrietta blushed, the general was
painfully confused and the other three
turned their attention hastily to their
food
Want anything?' asked the girl.
mo, thank you." replied Henrietta
gently, feeling that In judging the
stable-boy she had somehow injured
the girl.
The girl fingered moment. glanced
Significantly at the clock. and went
out.
who could it be?" asked Billy,
pleasantly excited.
why, this is terrible" said Henri
eta. IF the boy didn't do 1t, there
is no one else who could have. but
the family.
ut looks that way" admitted the
Watermelon.
What shall we do!" gasped Billy.
What shall we pay them WITH"
The slatternly girl again appeared
in the doorway. much to the generals
nervousness.
Want anything?" she asked. and
glanced again at the clock.
No." said Henrietta. mo. thank
you"
81 will speak to Parker" declared
the general as the girl left.
81 wish you didn't have to-" sighed
Henrietta. Its horrid to lose your
money, but It must be SO much worse
to need money 80 that you would
steal It."
But that's the test of honesty" de-
clared the general. "To need money
and not steal"
The door opened for the third time,
but instead of the ineffective maid
servant. the farmers wife, fat. red
checked. good-natured. entered.
She approached the table and smiled
jovially from one to the other.
81 hope you liked everything" she
said with gentle hint in her tones
that they had fingered around the
breakfast table long enough. Have
you had plenty. General! Can't get
you some more coffee. Miss Cross
manT
mo. thank you." said the general.
confused and unhappy.
Mrs. Parker smiled still. 81 am glad
you liked everything. Your man should
be back soon. He hasn't had any
breakfast yet"
'Where'd he gof" asked the general.
feeling that that was safe enough
ground
MY husband thinks that he went
out In one OF the automobiles very
early. for he found one OF them gone. +"
plu soui uunpahu bNt niHn bo
asked Bartlett.
"oh. no. but he thinks he must have
gone because there is only one auto
mobile"
"oh. yes." said Henrietta. and
stared at the others. fearful OF read.
ing her own crushing suspicion In
their eyes.
Alphonse. the quiet, blase. peerless
Alphonse? Could II be hei That Al.
phonse had gone for an early morn.
Ing spin lured by the dew on the clio
yer fields. by the sweet chorus OF
awakening birds. borne by the unsup.
pressible desire to SEQ the shy. sweet
advent OF n new day creeping up the
flushed and rosy sky. was wholly out
OF the question. Alphonse's soul, in
the early morning hours. was filled
only with the beauty and glory of bed.
Alphonse IA thief was more believabis
than Alphonse getting out OF bed un-
called.
Billy was the frst to speak.
The car" she whispered.