Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-12-09
ress that had arranged that all the
windows should have springs worked

ress that had arranged that all the
windows should have springs, worked
by the pressing Of a button like some
car windows, SO that a touch would
send them up at will.
Only Sam saw Sthrr's hand Slide
under the curtain. a second, and up-
fasten the. catch at the top; then
the window sill. The window went
up without a noise. and in a moment
more the curtain was moving out
gently puffed by the soft spring
breeze. and Starr had gone back to
her fathers side. 81 cannot under
stand it, said Michael. "he was here
a moment ago!'
The sheriff who had been nosing
about the fireplace turned and came
over to the window, sliding up the
shade with a motion and looking out
into the dark orchard.
HIN! That's where he went
boys" he said. after him Quick!
We Ought to have had a watch at each
window as we'll as at the back. Thank
you. Mr.. Endicott! Sorry to have
troubled you. Good night" and the
sheriff clattered after his men.
Sam quickly pulled down the win
dow, fastening it, and turned a look
Of almost worshipful understanding
on Starr.
isn't that. fire getting pretty no.
for such a warm night?" said Starr
pushing back the hair from her fore.
head and bright cheeks. Sam, sup
fpose you get a little water, and pour
over that log. 1 think we will not
need any more fire tonight anyway
And Sam, quickly fastened to obey
his mouth stretching in a broad grir
as ne went out the door.
"She'd make a peach of a burglar
he remarked to himself as he filled q
bucket with water and hurried bach
with 1t to the fire.
Michael. in his strait betwixt Law
and love, was deeply troubled and ha6
followed the men out into the DARK
orchard
Daddy. I think you'd better ge,
! up to your room. This excitemen,
has been too much for you," sale
Starr decidedly.
But Mr.. Endicott demurred. H,
had been interested in the little drama
that had been enacted before him
and he wanted TO sit NJ and see thu
end Of it. He was inclined to blame
Michael for bringing such a FELLOW
into Starts presence.
But Starr laughingly bundled hin
off to bed and a for IN hour read
ing to him. her hear1 all the time Il
a flutter to know how things cam,
out. wondering IL Sam surely under
stood, and put out the fire; and if i
would be safe for her to- give hin
any broader hint.
At midnight, Michael lay broat
awake with troubled spirit, wonder
ing over and over If there was any
thing he might have done for Buck /
he had only done 1t in time-any
thing that would have been right II
do.
Softly, cautiously a man stole out o
the darkness Of the orchard until h,
came and stood close to the old chin
ney, and then. s,ftly stealing on tn
midnight summer air there came
peculiar sibilant sound. clear pierc
Ing, set blending with the night. am
leaving no trace behind Of its origin
One couldn't tell from whence /
came. But Michael. keeping vigil
heard. and rose upon his elbow, alert
4 hin? It came again, softer this time
but. distinct. Michael sprang from
his bed and began hastily throwingso,
This garments. That call should neyel
90 unanswered!
i stealthfly, in the light Of the low
late moon, a dark figure stole forti
from the old chimney top, climbet
y down on the ladder that had beer
+ silently tilted against 1t. helped to IL,
the ladder back i%nnocently In tn,
deep grass again. and Joining the fg
ure on the ground crept away towart
the river whore waited Z boat.