Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-01-21


heard the cars approach.
"Not too late for CALI" Ques
toned Tom as he shook hands.
Not at all. suppose you want 10
see Uncle Jerry
Hes turned up them" he
laughed, relieved to find that no new
complication had entered into the
affair in the disappearance of Trench.
He came home a few minutes al
ter you telephoned me-. called you
up at the hotel, but you were out, they
said"
1T was such good night that l
went for a walk" he explained. Il
wonder if Miss Holcomb enjoyed her
drive
'Marjory?" with surprise. why
she went to her room right after din
ner. She had a bad headache
Il thought | saw her on the road"
he supplied; but he was not at all sur.
prised at Edith's explanation. feeling
sure that if Marjory felt it necessary
to meet him as she had she would be
forced to some subterfuge to get away
from the house.
He was disappointed, however, for
he had wanted the chance to talk
with the girl that night.
They sat down upon the veranda,
and Edith again referred to the mat
ter which had been troubling her that
afternoon
Il have been trying TO make myself
believe your explanation would ac-
count for Dicks absence she said,
"but cant. Mr.. kingsbury, what do
YOU know"
my dear young lady he laughed,
you have very vivid imagination
Your uncle's natural reticence in all
matters-one had only to meet him to
realize that trat-should be bet
Ter known to you than to lead you tc
building mountains ont of mole hills
She looked away, her chin cupped in
hand and in the shadows OF tn,
screening vines he could not see hel
face.
Suppose talk to your uncle ht
suggested suddenly, when the girl helc
silent. "rll explain to him how you
feel. | take it that you have hardly
done so, and | think we can satisfy
you completely
She arose slowly and turned to
ward the open front door. On the
threshold she halted.
Il suppose you two men will con
coct some explanation" she said with
a WEAKNESS in her voice. Il warn
YOU that it will have to be the truth
Mr. Kingsbury | will be satisfied
with nothing else
lie had arisen quickly and stepped
to her side but without another WORD
and with no chance for him TO say d
thing, she was gone down the hall.
He followed her as far as the BIZ
fireplace and waited there.
Suddenly she reappeared at the Ii
brary door
Uncle isn't here she exclaimed
He was. | left him just a few min
utcs before YOU arrived.
She turned back into the room be
fore Tom could move down the hall
As he came close to the door he hearC
her laugh.
"Why, Uncle Jerry, Il An'
hen smothered scream broke iron
her lips,
Tom cleared the few feet and was il
the library in an instant.
Standing by the big desk, Edit
leaned forward peering through th'
open French windows.
Il thought it was my uncle. H.
ran. Mr., kingsbJry, through the gar
dem
Tom sprang for the back verandi
and cleared the rail in leap. Dow
through the rose garden raced tn
shadowy figure Of man, and whit
Tom had no idea who he was or b
purpose in coming to the house AM
making off, he considered it wei
worth finding out.
He had lost one man that night; h
resolved to catch this one, although h
wasn't so sure the individual he pun
sued would be able to furnish any II
/ formation.
The chase led through the garden
j down over series Of terraces, and tn
man was lost as he plunged into
clump of trees
In disgust Tom drew up He lei
that he was bungler and he woi
dered why when he had kept himse
in physical condition since leaving co
lege that he was so easily beaten in
fair race.
He went through the clump Of tree
and found it nothing but littl
grove surrounded by open fields
Then he turned sharply, studied ih
shadows under the spreading branche
and walked back.
"Of all the darned luck he grunte
loud enough to be heard IL his quar-
were hiding, as he suspected.
missed him for fair Mieht as we