Gunnison news-champion., 1917-08-31

loudly. and. dropping the receiver.
made . wild dash for the door, from
which ! emerged with my clothing on
IRE In only one or two spots.
Thank your Lucille was very
sweet In bestowing her gratitude.
"was she very much worriedy'
"It wasn't your mother" I aid
shortly. lit was Mr.. Blaney."
"NedY" asked Vida: then, without
waiting for an answer. Il must speak
to him.
I gently restrained her.
"Blaneyf" queried Lucille blankly:
then. turning to me. ''Your brotherr'
"No relation" returned.
Hes my fiance," Vida explained
Just the darlingest old Blaney that
ever lived. He's waiting for me at
Fair View. We were to have been
eiarried today. or yesterday. rather"
OH Lucille retired TO her inner
consciousness to think.
told Vida that Blaney knew she
was safe. as he had called up several
times during the day.
Where was ~
you were always out somewhere
with Mr.. Clair" I explained.
"You didn't tell Ned that, did you?"
"Why, yes, guess did. WhyT
Hes so jealous" sighed Vida. 'It
makes him furious when talk to 9TH
er men. or course after we're mar
ried I'll train him differently. but now
have to be careful"
nnr attnnttn,, xr-as .HioA nS<A S-n~,,
the burning building by the arrival Of
Bill johnson, who walked unannounce,i
+ into the circle Of light. The noise Of
the Merry Widow arriving had appar-
emily been lost In the cracking Of the
flames.
WELL" I inquired. "were Mrs. Green
and MFR. Clair all right?"
II simll not know it." Bill replied
phlegmatically. Il can't. by Yimminy,
Gnd EN- ~
.Can't dnd themi Nonsenssi Did
you go up &C the housef"
"Yes, sare. And I look In all the
rooms. No one shall be in each"
"They can't have left. Mrs. Green
said she wouldn't"
"Whats up now Bopp inquired.
"Mrs. Green has disappeared once
more"
"Eloped with Upton g. ClaifT'
"1mpossible! You haven't seen him
since he left here"
"what else could have happenedr
II can't imagine. It's small island.
and there would be no sense In sup
posing that she was hiding anywhere
outside Of the house. Besides, they
both knew that the boat was coming
back soon to get them"
"Mrs. Green Is so elusive" Bopp
criticised, .that should think that
when once you located her you would
have kept your eye on her"
"If ! had,'' reminded him, '.you
would probably all be burnt to cin-
ders now. There must be some plausi-
ble reason for Mrs. Green's disappear
ance. Suppose we don't tell her daugh-
ter right away until We try to tind out
what has happened. It would only
cause her additional worry"
That was agreed upon.
: AT any rate" Bopp said. eve can
all 60 over to the mainland In the Mef-
y Widow and get breakfast."
.No." declared Bill. shaking his
head. Merry Widow she shan't run.
She broke her waive spring Maybe n
take all day to flx she up."
''Then for heavens sake get at itF'
Bopp srowled Grossly.
II nx him up Wit some wire may
BE-" Bill cheerfully promised ~ he de-
parted
Lucille and vida rejoined us pres.
emily.
II have some breakfast for you." l
announced
"soupr Bopp uttered the word sar-
eastically.
"Oh, Tootlesr' murmured Lucile.
II forgot" said. '.Tootles Il found.
found Tootles last night"
"Where h my little sweetheart
nowf"
"In the summer house." 1 replied.
.Oh, my Tootles girl" she exclaimed,
locked mp In that cold barn of q place
an nightl''
II was there" reminded her. Il
stood Il al right"
g Lpcile. started ont ~ fast % she
could for the summer houqe.
wait Q minute" protested. wish
ing 70 explain shout the reporter.
WATT" She flashed at me. when
Toot3es wants mel Neverr'
Lucille broke into run whea -
nw that was following her and
seached the door Of the summer Aouse
1st When arrived heard . scfsan.
caApTER xvil.