Ripley County democrat., 1917-04-27
THE LOST FISH


Hilda unlocked the door of her little
apartment and hurried to the front
window. Another ones gone she
said In bswilderment. "One goldfish
disappeared yesterday. another today.
It's certainly a mystery. What kind
Of 9 place, wonder, have ! moved In
tot"
Outside the window was a-small IRON
balcony. Hilda stepped over the low
window sill and found herself on the
tiny shelf, from which she had : splen.
did view OF the street she looked
down. Below her for several stories
were little iron balconies similar to
her own. a few OF them gay with green
things that the owners had put outs
doors to get the first warm rays Of the
spring sun. sF--<
On the balcony directly beneath. be-
tween two Boston ferns. was an Inn.
provised aquarium. and in the water
two goldfish were swimming.
That night she slept without fresh
air from the outside. leaving only the
transom open for ventilation. And In
the morning another fish was gonet
She almost tainted with the shock.
Someone or something had been In her
room In he night! Then her foot
struck something. she picked Il up.
It was mans. cuff link with single
diamond inset. She counted her money,
the spoons. and felt Of her few bits OF
jewelry and her watch. All there!
She locked the aquarium in the bath.
room and went to her daily work In
the city library.
That afternoon. while she was hand
ing out books to cosmopolitan pub
lie, young man approached the desk.
"Will you tell me where can find
some books on zoology, pleasef'
Hilda looked ct him with interest.
Athletic Of build, good looking. and
fashionably dressed, he had the air OF
man who might be asking for q
thesis on Sanskrit. or Of anything he
knew nothing at all about.
"What kind Of animals?" she In
Quired. Mammals, the carnivorar--"
"Oh. something about fish," he an
swered vaguely. Goldfish. I've got
some don't know how to feed"
''lt's too bad. But I have goldfish
A homa and when I want to know
anvthine 90 "a Einnev,s pet store in
the next square II you 70 there you
ear ret evorything you want"
EThank Won very much. Good after.
MON I5e nut ON his hat 10 depart
and an he lifted his hand, Hilda saw
: diaruoud.studded cum link like the
one sha Mad found in the morning The
mysterv deenened. Here was the man
Ivwiio had har goldfish. but why would
anyone steal goldfsh9
That night Hilda discovered from
the janitor that her neighbor below
was unmarried and went by the name
Of Hubert Field.
| HAS he any pets or anything like
thati" she inquired anxiously.
| 'Not that know OF. They don't
allow cats and dogs in the building
That evening. as she was trying to
calm her nerves and forget the mys
terry by reading an interesting book
something stirred by the window, then
dropped lightly to the floor behind her
She felt rather than heard 1t, so fain,
was the sound. She was too fright
ened to move at first. then laughed o.
her fear slowly turning her head. she
saw |. little brown monkey hopping
toward her on three legs. In the othei
paw he gripped dripping, squirmini
goldfish. she sat perfectly still ans
:. the monkey. sitting on his hind legs
,, laid his tribute upon her knee,
The monkey was very tame and HI
da picked him up In her arms. The
!. she got the gold link from her dresse
and descended the stairs.
/, AZ she had expected, Mr.. Huber
/. Field was her acquaintance Of the !
/. brary. Good EVENING"" said Hilds
!. "T'ye come to return two Of your poi
!. |. sessiona. both found in my room. On
exulains the other, | think"
"Thanlx YOU very much. was pu
!. zIed about the link, although blame
r Joolo for losing It. He's worried N
!. 10 death sInce nv sister left him her
;. two days ago, He's stolen things q
= oycr the building, and have to kee
his existence secret or they'll put !
p 10