The Holly chieftain., 1915-03-12
CHAPTER XVII.
Alphonse Ride. Away.

CHAPTER AtIi.
Alphonse Rides Away.
THE stable-boy would have access
to the back of the house. too" said
the general, who felt that II he had
not become general and had escaped
being master mechanic, he would
have been a famous detective. r
"Yes," agreed the Watermelon. But
/ don't think it is the boy. l was out
until after eleven, and just before I
came in 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 it, 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 1t must be SO much worse
to need money SO that you would
| steal it."
But that's the test of honesty" de-
clared the general. ITO 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.
MANI"
mo, thank you." said the general
confused and unhappy.
Mrs. Parker smiled still. II am glad
you liked everything. Your man should
be back soon. He hasn't had any
breakfast yet"
"Where'd he go?" asked the general
feeling that that was safe enough
| ground.
my husband thinks that he wen,
out in one OF the automobiles very
early. for he found one Of them gone
did your husband see him go?'
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. feaxsul Of read
ing her own crushing suspicion II
their eyes. ,ss-7 esr.4- -*.
| Alphonse, the quiet, blase, peerless
Alphonse? Could 1t be he? That AL
phonse had gone for an early morn
i ing spin lured by the dew on the clio
yer fields. by the sweet chorus o
awakening birds. borne by the. unsup
pressible desire to see the shy, swee,
advent Of a new day creeping up ths
flushed and rosy sky, was wholly ou
OF the question. Alphonse's soul, II
the early morning hours, was fllet
only with the beauty and glory Of bed
Alphonse thief was more believabls
than Alphonse getting out of bed un
called.
a.