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ER XXVII (Continued)
Bdd Into the hole among the
msonry and lowered Ma
li beside him, and there for
1'iwon the stairs he held her In
iwhllt they listened again for
suit along the dark passage.
It Is
w his head down until their
v&. ..
riaiO Ugn -wnaicier
nine."
died In the darkness. A love
.was worth fighting for "We
kHneomehow." he whispered, we
ttrL
Mker slowly they retraced their
r'the crypt, where they ugnieu
and listened again, and now,
rbove, they heard the sound of a
TKSs
rhave not won tnrougn yet
ne tarn. -y ""
I HOW. We must noia ino saic.
.not airaiu, sne sum. rc -"
b.j t.,. nfitr. fftpft in admlra-
h fire of resolution glowed in
? he muttered grimly. V can
it. Ana men, . men. ......
Pr.nrv comet" And she
Var up the stair But as they
HS-25."V,m abmc. shrieking.
whefe.tat their feet They
rushed to the door and peered
. the postern. Upon m. n
man was no here to be 'seen But
Ttnan that, as though a are of
;.vantage. in the cau;e., --
!TOr."nfticiK . aP-
the situation nun ".".. ":- :
?i.T.i.. - rfoinv would be
i he reloaded the clip of his
'!."" ?rS". ",Mn,r. ' There are
SSrat the foot o'fthe stalr-not
?vy7 You and nna must br ng
itiB here. Then get nai """
iS? jSu can. Bring them here, too.
no time. I will return "
It "".1 . t. .i..hpH nut of the
S?and running to "the" right gained
O??-Tr"Jb ii,. nmmrt. behind
y0Tcrawled tow ard the gate.
Vras the other man, the chauffeur.
. . , A TTm na Hun.
a moment ne icam "'.," ,C,..
approached, the men upon the other
wrfHl in spanning the abyss
"f them rushed over ; V hen tne-
was naiiwaj- uiu- ....... . ---
7the gate and the mail pn the
Mrwayed and fell. Another fol owed
another shot rang out. mi i..o
-i'VTnnne forward, shouted
Mi of encouragement lie saw tne
Kmn rise irum ma vw. .--.. -----St
the fellow- lust as he reachea
CiL. i. tiie hn nnrp and fall
fh. Vung the end of the timber
1? feTl into th wrw m he
bac'K to saieiy. nui . v ....
h nrntfrtlnn of the gate, se-
.heB dartedfrom the causewav
UK icnauneur ""' r". -'. n':U" ;C
upon ms iacc juai . -
t.i
ir'ord'ers, Herr Hauptmann," he
""But tneyre wu " : j
ii-r-.. mn " He turned
a groan, ana tor me nrsi wmo
LB IMLT.
Tml're not
doesn't matter who I am Are
y hurtr ,. ,ho
icrweiier: """"s" -Tm
done for.' . ,., .
enwlck sieppea pasi iiiiu "
loophole through which he
,tch -what was passing upon the
la of me aDj-ss.
4iHdr hari rnnnpd the oe
i7o?-eme of their enthusiasm, for
iihiinitrn to the other end of
wv whp thv were holding
DHMhini. fhA nhndows of the
awm nt nnv others concealed
at hand, Renwick took the chance
,tw iim frntd unguarded, and in
shadow of the wall rushed back to
Hall xnere ne iuuhu i"
& CT rn inlsts. waiting for him
'TV! .t.J kn ,.M "hilt
mnini nn again In a moment.
'alone, dear, to defend the gate
iiM.
' BPp
9tl
wtitmy
i aHBV
TWB
He explained his plan more fully, then
bade her go back for another rifle, am
munition; and retura In the protection
of the opposite wall to the post opposite.
"They can do nothing unless they
bring artillery," he said confidently
"Don't expose jourself or look out, but
if a planlt comes ocr, push It down"
She smiled and slipped aw a; into the
darkness, and Renwick returned to his
loophole. The sky aboe was getting
lighter, and a glance up the mountain
3lde to his left showed It already In
clear profile against the lightening east,
which announced the coming of the
dawn. And with the dawn light. Was
this what the attackers were waiting
for?
He saw the gray figure of Marlshka
creep along the opposite wall, and In a
moment she was there, not ten feet
away at her post, crouched In safety
and waiting
' On no account look through the loop
hole," he ordered "As the light grows,
there will be men to shoot at them Keep
under cover Understand?"
Khe only liughed li.vsterlcally
In a moment, as the light grew, he
warned her that they were coming
again
"Keep in," he cried "Don't try to
look at the end of the "
The warning came Just In time, for
a fusillade of bullets swept the .gate
and they heard the sounds of many
men's olces as they came on the run
Another fusillade which sent dust and
fragments of stone flying all about
them ' Then a timber crashed across,
but before it settled into place the two
joists had pushed it off the smooth land
ing At the same time another volley
was fired which would hae surely found
a mark If Renwick had exposed him
self, but Marlshka matched her action
to Renwlck's. crouchlne low. safe from
observation, pole In hand, eagerly watch
ing ner nan or tne gate
Another timber which fell harmless
ly and crashed down Into the gorge,
and another ol!e alike harmless to
the defenders High hopes rose In Ren
wick Thev could do nothing Opposite
him Marlshka. forgetting all her fears,
had caught the contagion of tuccessful
resistance and crouched, her laws spt.
eves sparkling, her slender hands grasp
ing me rougn iimoer, unuaunteel and
resolute.
"Keep under cover " he shouted, as
nnntlier timber came across "
This one was better cast and lodged
squarely upon the stone lintel They
both shoved at Its end, but a man's
weight already upon it made their task
difficult
"It Is on my side Push. Marlshka '"
He aimed his automatic past the edge
of th gatepost and shot the man an
Austrian soldier Just as he sprang for
the landing He fell upon the stone,
hung to the timber a moment, and fell
Renwick sprang further out and emptied
his clip at the next man, who gave a
cry and dropped Riv!cfc felt a sting
ing blow on his left arm, but be'ore
another man began to cross Marlshka
managed to shove the timber clear and
It fell Into the abjss below
They were safe for the moment He
looked at Marlshka In the gathering
light. She was pale as death, but she
did not show fear
"AH right?" he asked anxiously
"Yes jes," she gasped, "and jou''
"Never better"
His arm burned like a live coal, but
the madness of battle was In his blood
and he did not cue so long as Mar
lshka did not know of his injury. The
firing had ceased for the moment, as he
crawled up and peered through the loop
hole. "We've beaten them, Marlshka," he
cried triumphantly. "They've gone back
I see no timbers. They're doing some
thing 1 can see quite plainly now
fastening a handkerchief to the muzzle
of a rifle " And tis she rose to look.
"Don't exposo joursclf It may be a
trick. For God's sake, keep dow n "
He picked up the magazl:' rifle be
side him and thrust It through the loop
hole, covering the two men who were
advancing to the brink of the abyss
In the pale light he marked the figure
of Wlndt quite clearly The other man
wore the uniform of an officer of Aus
trian Infantry. And now he heard tho
voice of the officer raised in parley
"Schloss Szolnok a truce 1"
For reply Renwick thrust the muzzle
of his rttle further through the loophole.
"In the name of the Hmperor of Aus
tria, t command ou to deliver Herr
Hauptmann Leo Oorltz "
Renwick laughed madly
"I regret that that Is Impossible "
"I beg that ou will listen to reason.
Austrian troops are all about ou You
cannot resist by davllght If ou will
deliver the person of Herr Hnuptmann
liorltz and Countess Strahnl, we will
leave ou In peace"
Renwick piused Far below In the
valley to his right, a new hound broke
tho stillness of the early morning
rlfle-flre close at hand, rapid olles,
and then a scatteilng of shots which
echoed with u new significance up the
mountain, side He peered through ,one
of the crencliitlons of the rampart be
side him and could Just see through the
morning mists the moving mass of rush
ing men horses guns In mad con
fusion "Well, what Is :,our reply7" camo ths
olce of the Austrian officer.
Renw lck laughed again.
"Whv should you leave us In peace If
you can take the drawbridge?" he
shouted.
"Hauptmann Oorltz Is wanted on the
charge of murder. I give jou this
chance. Will jou take It? '
"I regret that it Is Impossible," replied
Renwick
"Why?"
"Because Herr Hauptman Gorltz is
dead '
"Dead? What assurances can I have
that this is the truth?"
"You have onl to look at the foot
of the cliff below.
The two men uonsulted for a moment
and then Heir Wlndt's olce was heard
"Is Countess Strfihnl there?"
"Yes and quite safe "
"And who are jou''"
"M name is Hugh Renwick, Herr
Wlndt "
"Renw.lck the Englishman " he
heard him gasp
"Precls-ely And If jou're going to
take this gate, ou'd better be in a hurry
about It, for the Russians are ap
proaching ' Then jou refuse' '
"Positively "
CONTINUED TOMORROW
Oreat demand far the KVKNINO
rUBI.IC I.KPOEB may raune jou
to rnlna an Installment nf tlils.verj
Interesting Mors, "tou had better,
therefore, telephone or write -to the
Circulation Department or ask sour
newsdealer thl afternoon to leate
the EVK.MMI MIBUC LEDGER lit
3 our home.
JljE .SECRET WITNJC SS OH, MONEY, MONEY!
By Eleanor H: Porter
Continued from I'nite Hit
with what 1 already had, and with what
Bob has written me, 1 l-.novv these facts "
He paused, pulled a small notebook
from his pocket and consulted it,
"There are two sons and a daughter,
children of Rufus Blalsdell. Rufus died
jears ago, and his widow married a man
by the name of Duff. But she's dead
now The elder son Is Frank Blalsdell.
He keeps a grocery store. The other Is
James Blalsdell. He works In a real
estate office. The daughter. Flora, never
married She's about fortv-two or three,
I bellee, and does dressmaking. James
Blalsdpi has a son, Fred, seventeen and
two joungcr children Frnnk Blalsdell
has one daughter. Mellicent. That's the
extent of my knowledge at present But
It's enough for our purpose."
"Oh, nnvthlng's enough for jour pur
pose! What are jou going to do flrt7
"I've done It You'll soon be reading
In vour morning paper that Mr. Stanley
G. Fulton, the somewhat eccentric multi
millionaire. Is about to start for South
America, and that It Is h nted he Is
planning to finance a gigantic exploring
expedition The accounts of what hes
going to explore will Mirv all the
wav from Inca antiquities to the
source of the Amazon I'e done a lot of
talking today and a good deal of cau
tioning as to "ecrecy. etc It ought to
bear fruit by tomorrow, or the dav after,
at the latest I'm going to start next
week, and I'm reallv going exploring,
too though not exactly as they think.
"I came In today to make a busi
ness appointment for tomorrow, please.
A man starting on such a hazardous
Journey must be prepared, you under
stand. I want to leave my affairs n
such shape that sou will know exactly
what to do In emergency. I may come
tomorrow?"
The lawver hesitated, his face an odd
mixture of determination and Irresolu
tion. "Oh, hang it all es Of course, you
may come Tomorrow at ten if they
don't shut ou up before"
With a bovish laugh Mr Stanley G.
Fulton leaped to his feet
"Thanks Tomorrow at ten, then " At
the door he turned back Jauntily. "And,
say, Ned, what'll jou bet I don't grow
fat and young over this thing? What'll
-ou bet I don t get so 1 can eat real
meat and 'taters again?"
CHAPTER II
, Enter Mr. John Smith
IT WAS on the first warm evening In
early June that Mist Flora Blalsdell
crossed the common and turned down
the street that led to hr brother James's
home.
The common marked the center of
Hlllerton. Its spiclous green lawns
and elm-shaded walks were the pride of
the town There was a trelllsed band
stand for summer concerts, and a tinj'
pond that accommodated a few boats In
summer and a limited number of skat
ers In w Intel Perlnps. most Important
of all, the common divided the plebeian
East Side from the more pretentious
West. James Blalsdell lived on the
West Side. His wife said that every
body did who was anjbodv .They had
lately moved there and were. Indeed,
barely settled
Miss Blalsdell did dressmaking Her
home was a shabby little rented cottage
on the Hast Side She was a thin
faced little woman with an anxious
frown and near-blghted, peering eves
that seemed alwajs to be locking for
wrinkles She peered now at the houses
as she passed slowly down the street.
"DREAMLAND ADVENTURES"
By DADDY ,
"OLD KING CROW"
A complete, new adventure each neek, beginning Monday and ending Saturday.
, kalnf
I M,f. . . . . . ,, .
m rinnttilv naie. out sne smueu
$& Wwravely. e picked up the two
VJfWf no "",, "'A' L ""'"" " ""-
'iram miowea mm, iwiciuiib
.? &tA- -i.. if ihv Kiirrpi'd In throwing
K iiftr across, we must push it off. In
B 'IlUinmT, neither of us need expose our-
wj.;s- ... .
JfJu"t.MdrsUnd ana mere are riues
BatsunE. , . .. ,
! can you man l"c"'' ,
meyer loaded them while Karl
gate, DUl r.na wa auaiu m
m out.
krim itiem You're aulte safe
:mb below the wall of the ram-
1 Now go, dear and God bless
raacnea me gaie wiuic ,..,..
intea to me auacn. nuu fui.
nw weapons oi aeiense upuu
a(4e Ot It. But ne jeareu w c,c
.tne vaiiey inc raiiiiimiuu "
tand the sounds of firing went
rtnglv. It seemea jnaeeu. as
had said, that the end of trie
i .wm vtoqlrie him. the man
.Mathlne- with difficulty. From
at the loophole, Renwick heard
iter, and, as the road was still
Mltetened. -..fc....
TO ftenwicK mo &ufiii3tiian .
irta noarseiy.
Herr Hauptmann Gorltz?"
;to"dead," replied Renwick.
Aiiiv, nu.u ..w ......
.mt ton annB'
nodded forward, toppled sideways
.Hy-atlll. ,.. ,, ....
irntuaw?" w "hV - "--.'-:
1CK ipOUBHV twJ , b'"
r-wifW Marlshka. unon one side
nn thA nther armed with the
TtwouW be difficult for the at-
Tfor the Btone outside the gate
i amooin ana nine euuu mwuiu
mi to Dush their timbers down.
itrobmeyer and Karl had lost
Utaa A-rnnRlnc themselves unneces-
,'-?."Qti with the two lotStS. both
'Mhe Kate could be commanded
ftJNMntni creeping uuurr mc i'u-
&C7Ka. 11 Ufarlahlrn fntnpri him
Ft Mi wi .-.." ---
iwn rifles.
Tthey coming?" she asked.
tVlf ,V ..J ... pv...
"It Is
CHAPTER I
Drounie Oul on the Warpath
In a preiious adicntuic Peggy
has iescu-ed Brownie Otil from a
claybank iLhere he has been walled
up by a Jloch of liows. He has
toned teiijreancc upon the crotcs )
441AW ! Caw I Caw '"
J Peggy lifted her ejes to where' a
long black nroce'slon was speeding
rapidly across the calm evening sky.
"The Ciovv arm j homeward bound!'
she thought "I hope they haven't been
In mlhchlef today'"
There were thousands upon thousand-
or ausKy mras nastemng to tneir rooKerv
atter a oay ot Hunting 'iney matte a
swift-flowing aerial stream that seemed
endless Woe to tne farmer upon wnose
shocked corn descended that dark, de
stroying cloud Woe, also, to tne jouns,
weak birds that fell In their path If the
daj''s hunting hadn't been good
"I declare war' I declare war on all
the crows," came a challenging hoot from
the top of the house. There stood
Brownie Owl. the picture of defiance,
ruffling his feathers Impudently at the
hosts passing above. On his head was
a shining military helmet made of a
water Illy pad, that added to the bold
ners of his appearance He looked so
saucy, standing there all alone and
mining ttls recKless de:y -nto the face or
the huge crow army, that Peggy couldn t
help giggling at him
He heard the giggle and scowled down
at her.
"Princess Peggy, arise '" he hooted
' The time has come to strike ! This
night J'ou are to lead my forces against
the dastardly Crows'"
That put an entirely different face
upon the matter for Peggy It was
funny for Brownie Owl to challenge
the thousands of Crows, but it wasn't
a bit funnv for him to drag her Into It
(Why should I lead your forces?" she
asked Indignantly
"Because jou promised and the prom
ise of Princess Peggj is sacred." prompt
lj" hooted Brownie Owl In reply
Then Peggj remembered that she had
made him a promise a promise to help
him If he went to war upon the Crows,
but she hadn't promised to take the
whole burden of the fight upon herself
Brownie Owl didn't give her time to
argue the matter.
'Come, my brave array, and salute
Princess Peggy'" he commanded, and"
over the top of the roof there strutted
rows upon rows of Owls, Night Hawks
and Whip-Poor-Wills. Each wore a hel
met like that of Brownie Owl, and they
i- .ri
M
"Your chariot awaits, Princess l'-Si&j
tioolf1 Ttrm.'nta Oul 4
looked verv formidable in spite of the
fact that they didn't compare at all in
numbers with the Crows
'Princess Peggy, we salute jou'"
they cried "Under J'our leadership we
shall make the forest and fields safe
from Crows and other destroyers"
'Oh, if that is what j-ou are trying
to do, I'll help jou all I can" answered
Peggj", who grew more enthusiastic when
she found that they were battling for
something worth while, Instead of sim
ply to secure revenge for Brownie Owl
"Your chariot awaits. iPrlncess'"
hooted Brownie Owl
Over the roof cams sailing Peggy's
aerial chariot, In wnlch she had taken
wonderful flights In previous adven
tures. Onlv this time Instead of being
carried bv Scarlet Tanagers and drawn
by Blue Birds, it was carried by Whlp-Poor-Wllls
and drawn by Night Hawks
They all looked very warlike In their
helmets.
"You'll find fairs -ring grass under
the throne," hooted Brownie Owl Sure
enough, In a tlnv chest on the clnrlot
were the magical blades of glass
Piggy tasted one, and quick as a wink
she was aB tinv as the Birds. She
stepped aboard the chariot and seated
herself on the throne Up rose the
Birds and soon she floated In the air
high above the town
Peggj- looked anxiousij- for the Crows,
but thoj- had all disappeared In the dis
tance. Brownie Owl's forces followed
after them
"What's the plan of attack?' cried
Peggy to Brownie Owl, who fluttered
along beside the chariot.
'Oh, we left that for j'ou," answered
Brow nle- Owl 'I just organized this
armv vou're leading It "
"Well, if yu organized it whv didn t
jou get some Swallows, Purple Martins
and King Birds In if" asked Peggy
sharply 'They are real lighters''
"But they are day-time fighters," re
Plied Brownie Owl 'This is going to
he a night attack, so I made up an army
of night birds "
Oh, that s the Idea," said Pegg-,
thoughtfullv. She now began to see
some possibilities In this battle in the
dark. If Brownie Owl's warriors could
catch the Crows asleep thej' might be
able to give them a sound thrashing he
fore the Crows could get thoroughlj
awake The Crows wouldn't be able to
see In the dark, while the night Birds
could
The sun had gone down and dusk was
tailing Brownie uwi s torces sKimmea
over the treetops of a large forest. From
below came sleepj' caws and murmurs
It was the Crows going to bed As the
Birds hovered over the Woods. Peggy
heard -a Crow mother's lullaby to her lit
tle ones:
Oh. shut sour tired pPrs,
You dear baby sleepers.
Dream of the sweet corn
You'll nave In the morn.
We'll feast and we'll frolic
1111 jou all have colic
So now take sour rest.
Safe close to my breast.
Suddenly a loud hoarse Crow voice
rang out-
"Caw ! Caw '. Caw ! Rest to you all
and disaster tn him who disturbs VOU'"
"It's the King of the Crows sounding
Taps." whispered Brownie Owl "They'll
all be asleep In a minute and then we'll
attack."
Un tomorrow's chapter Peggy
find? that she has undertaken more
than she bargained for the King of
Crows is an ogre and a magician,
and not just an ordinary biid)
She had been only twice to her brother s
new home, and she was not sure that
she would recocnlze It, In spite of the
fact that the street was still alight
with the last raj's of the setting sun.
Suddenly across her worried face flash
ed a relieved smile.
"Well, if you ain't' all here outon the
piazza I" she exclaimed, turning In at the
walk leading up to one of the ornate
little. houses "My, ain't this grand I"
"Oh, yes. It's grand, all right," nodded
the tlred-Iooklng mail In the big chair,
removing his feet from the railing. He
was In his shirt-sleeves, and was bmok
Ing a pipe. The droop of his thin mus
tache matched the droop of his thin
shoulders and both Indefinitely but un
mistakably spelled disillusion and dis
couragement. "It's grand, but I think
It's too grand for us. However, daugh
ter says the best Is none too good in
Hlllerton. Kh, Bess?'
Bessie, the pretty slxteen-vear-old
daughter of the famllj', onlv shi tigged
hr shoulders a little petulantly, It was
Hariiet, the wife, who spoke a 'arge.
floiid woman with a short uppr Up. and
a bewilderment ot bepuffed light hair.
She was aiieady on her feet, pushing a
chair tow aid her slster-ln-Iavv.
"Of course It Isn't too gland, Jim,
and j-ou know It. There aren't any
reallv nice houses In HllWton except
the Pennocks' nnd the Gavlord place.
There, sit here, Flora. You look tired"
"Thanks. I be turrihle tiled.
Warm, too, ain't It?' The little drts
maker began to fan herself with the hat
she had taken off. "My, 't Is fur over
here, ain't It? Not mucn like 't was
when j'ou lived right 'round the corner
from me! And I had to put on a hat
and glovtg, too. Someway, I thought I
ought to over here."
Condescendingly the bepuffed head
threw an approving nod In Iter dlrect'on.
"Quite right. Flora. The East Side Is
different from the West Side, and no
mistake. And what will do there won't
do here at all, of course "
"How nbout father's shirt-sleeves?"
It was a scornful gibe from Bessie In
the hammock. "I don't notice any of
the rest of tho men around here sitting
out like that."
"Bessie!" chlded her mother wearily.
"You know very well I'm not to blame
foi what jour father vveais I've trbd
h-.rd enough, I'm sure I"
"Well, well, Hattle," slghr-1 the man,
with t gestuj-e of abandonment. "I sup
posed I still had the rights of a freeborn
American citizen In my own home; but
It seems I haven't." Reslgnedlj- he got
to h(s feet and went Into th2 hou:e.
When he returnel a monun latT he
was wearing a coat."-
Bennj", perched precariously on the
veranda ratling, gave a sudden Indig
nant snort. Benny avas eight, the j'oung
est of the famllv.
"Well, I don't think I like it here, anj--how,"
he chdfea "I'd rather go back
an' live where we did A feller can
have -ome fun theie It ha-n't Leen
ar j thing but 'Here, Bnnv, jnu mus-tn't
do tint over hre, jou mustn't do that
&vei here!' ever since wo came. Im
going nome an' live with Aunt Flota.
biy, can't I, Aunt Flo."
"Bless the child ' Ot course you can,"
beamed his aunt. "'But j-ou won't want
to, I'm sure. Why, Bennj', I think it's
perfectly lovely here "
"Ia don't "
"Indeed I do, Bennj'," corrected his
father) lustilj1. "It's verj' nice Indeed
here, of course. But I don't think we
can afford It. We had to squeeze everj
penny be'oie, and now we're going to
meet this rent I don't know." He drew?
a profound sigh
"You'll earn It, just being here
more business," asserted his wife firmly,
"anyhow, we've just got to be here,
Jim' We owe It to ourselves and our
famllj'. Look at Fred tonight!"
"Oh, jes. where Is Fred?" queried
Miss Flora
"He's over to Gussle Tennock's, play
ing tennis,"- Interpobed Bessie, with a
pout "The mean old thing wouldn't
asK me!
"But jou ain't old enough, my dear."
soothed hei aunt -"Wait; jour turn
will come bj' and bjf."
"Yes. that's exactly it." triumphed
the mother. "Her turn will come if
we live here. Do jou suppose Fred
would have got an Invitation to Gussle
Pennock's If we'd still been living on
the Hast Side? Not much he would!
Whj Mr. Pennocks worth fifty thou
sand, If he's worth a dollar! They
are some of our -very first people.
"But, Hattle, money Isn't everything,
dear," remonstrated her husband gently.
"We had friends, and good friends,
before." K
"Yes ; but.you wait and see what kind
of friends we have now!'-
"But we can't keep up with such
people, dear, on our Income ; and "
"Ma, here's a map. I guess he wants
somebody" It was a husky whisper
from Bennj".
James Blalsdell stopped abruptly.
Bcsle Blalsdell and the little dress
maker cocked their heads interestedly.
Mrs Blalsdell rose to her feet and ad
vanced toward the ste,os to meet the
man coming up the walk.
He was a tall, rather slender man,
with a close-cropped, sandy beard, and
an air of diffidence andapology. As
he took off his hat and came nearer,
It was seen that his eyes were blue
and friendly, and that his hair was reddish-brown,
and rather scanty on top
of his head
"I am looking for Mr. Blalsdell Mr.
James Blalsdell," he murmured hesitat
ingly Something In the stranger's deferen
tial manner sent a warm glow of Im
portance to the woman's heart. Mrs.
Blalsdell was suddenly reminded that
she was Mrs James D. Blalsdell of the
Wi-tt Side.
I am Mrs Blalsdell," she replied a
bit pompously. "What can we do for
you. mj good man?" She swelled again,
half unconsciously. She had never called
a person "my good man" before She
rather liked the experience
The man on the steps coughed hllghtly
behind his hand a sudden spasmodic
little cough Then very gravely he
rt-.iched Into his pocket and produced
a letter.
"From Mr. Robert Chalmers a note
to jour husband," he bowed, presenting
the letter.
look of gratified surprise came Into
the woman's face.
"Mr. Robert Chalmers, of the First
National? Jim!" She turned to her
husband Joyously. "Here's a note from
Mr. Chalmers. Quick read It !"
Her husband, already on his feet,
whisked the sheet of paper from 'the un
sealed envelope and adjusted his passes.
A moment later he held out a cordial
hand to the stranger
"Ah, Mr. Smith, I'm glad to see you
I'm glad to see any friend of Bob Chal
mers. Come up and sit down. My
wife and children, and my bister. Miss
Blalsdell Mr. Smith, ladies Mr. John
Smith." (Glancing at the open note In
his hand ) "He Is sent to us by Mr.
Chalmers, of the First National "
"Yes, thank jou. Mr. Chalmers was
so kind." Still with that deference so
delightfully heal t-vv arming, the new
comer bowed low to the ladles, and made
his way to the offered chair. "I will
explain at once my business," he said
then. "I am a genealogist."
"What's that?" It was an eager
question from Benny on the veranda
railing. "Pa Isn't nnythlng, but ma's
a Congregatlonalist."
"Hush, child ! protested a duet of
feminine voices softlj-; but the stranger,
apparently Ignoring the Interruption,
continued speaking.
"I am gathering material for a book
on the Blalsdell famllj'."
' The Blalsdell family !" repeated Mr.
James Blalsdell, with cordial Interest.
"Yes," bowed the otner. "It Is my
purpose to remain some time In j'our
town. I am told there are valuable
records here, and an old burylng-ground
of particular interest in this connection.
The neighboring towns, too, hate much
Blalsdell data, I understand. As I said,
I am Intending to make this place my
headquarters, and I am looking for an
attractive boarding-place. Mr. Chal
mers was good enough to refer me to
jou"
"To us for a boarding-place !" There
was an unmistakable frown on Mrs
James D. Blalsdell's countenance as she
said the words "Well, Im sure I don t
see why he should. We don't keep
boarders !"
"But, Hattle, we could," Interposed
her husband eagerly. "There's that big
front loom that we don't need a bit.
And it would help a lot If " At the
wrathful warning In his wife's ej'es he
fell back silenced.
"I said that we didn't keep boarders,"
reiterated the ladv distinctly. "Further
more, we do need the room ourselves"
"Yes, j'es, of course ; I understand,"
broke In Mr. Smith, as if in hasty con-
THE DAIL Y NOVELETTE
THE FATAL ENVELOPE
By Margaret D. Joyce
I
T WAS Saturday afternoon, and Mar
tha Graham was on her way home
after a very busy morning In the office
of a large leather concern As she
neared the new tunnel she pouted, "I
don't like this new way of going home"
But she later changed her mind.
After depositing her fare In the slot
she started down the stairs. Half way
down she spied an envelope which was
being trampled on by the crowd. As
she stooped to pick it up, the onrush
Ing crowd would have thrown her down
If a young sailor had not caught her In
the nick nf time She half stammered.
"Thank you." Tipping his hat, he soon
disappeared Into the waiting train.
A second later Martha remembered
where she was, and hurried Into the
train Just before the door closed.
As usual, the train was crowded. Mar
tha was about to reach for a strap when
she felt a light tap on her shoulder.
Turning, she saw the sameN young man
who had previously befriended her. He
offered her his seat, which was gladly
accepted. '
After a short ride 6he reachsd her
destination, a little furnished room,
which she called "home." It was not
until now that she opened the envelope
which had caused so much confusion.
She extracted a ticket which would ad
mit one to the baseball game that after
noon. '
Now, Martha had never attended a
ball game, so she then and there decided
to go, as everj' one talked a great deal
about this beloved pastime
She hurriedly ate a meager meal,
which was satisfying to her, as the
thoughts of attending one of the world
series games gave her but little ap
petite. As she thought of the happen
ings of that morning she decided that
It would have been uneventful without
the helpful- sailor. Indeed, she thought
of him more than once.
After a great deal of wasted timovshe
left the house and proceeded to the
park where the game was to be plaj-ed
As she handed the ticket to the man
she blushed guiltily at the thought of
cheating some one of a good game
She passed through a great deal of rig.
marole, and finailj- was seated In the
front row of the bleachers I
Five minutes or more elapsed, and
Martha, nervously glancing around,
saw her friend the sailor, who In re
ality was John Lynn, coming to a va
cant seat beside her. He very quickly
recognized her, and by the time the
game started they were chatting
merrllj'.
The game proceeded, and Martha
found herself cheering as lustily as any
of the other fans. She decided whlrh
side she wanted to win and put all her
strength In yelling for them. Finally
tne game ended, tne score in favor of
Martha's choice
John received Martha's permission to
escort her home. By the time they
reached there they were like old friends
As the weeks passed the sailor and
the once lonesome girl s friendship
ripened Into love. But Fate destined
to change this state of bliss It came
shortly. John came to see Martha, and
he had sad news for her. His ship
was to sail for service In foreign waters
for the duration of the war.
Martha bravely bore the news until
he left the house. Then she cried until
her eyes were red and swollen.
The next two weeks were occupied by
shopping and getting jeady for the
departure.
The night before he went John put a
solitaire on Martha's finger, and aB
"Dan Cupid" sounded the' call to arms,
ever-ready John aijd Martha responded
Tomorrow's Complete Novelette
"THE HOLIDAY."
dilation. "I think Mr. Chalmers meant
that perhaps one of you he glanced
uncertainly at the anxious-eyed little
woman at his left "might er accom
modate me. Perhaps j'ou. now "
He turned his eyes full upon Miss Flora
Blalsdell, and waited.
The little dressmaker blushed pain
fully. "Me? Oh, mercy, not Why, I live
all alone that Is, I mean, I couldn't,
you know," she stammered confusedlj-.
"I dressmake, and I' don't get any sort
of meals not fit for a man, I mean.
Just women's things tea, toast, and riz
biscuit I'm so fond of rlz biscuit 1
But, of course, jou " She came to
an expressive pause.-
""Oh, I could stand the biscuit, so long
as they're not health biscuit," laughed
Mr. Smith genially. "You see, I've been
living on those and hot water quite long
enough as it Is."
"Oh, ain't jour health good, sir?"
The little dressmaker's face wore the
deepest concern.
"Well, It's better than It was, thank
jou. I think I caa promise to be a good
boarder, all right."
"Why don't j-ou go to a Viotel?" Mrs.
James D. Blalsdell still spoke with a
slightly injured air.
Mr. Smith lifted a deprecatory hand.
"Oh, Indeed, that would not do at all
for my purpose," he murmured "I
vvlsh'to bevery quiet. I fear I should
find It quite disturbing the noise and
confusion of a public place like that.
Besides, for my work, It seemed emi
nently fitting, as well as remarkably
convenient. If I could make my home
.with one of the Blalsdell family"
TX.'lttl n DllrllnH Mvnl n t-in I An IllA llttla
dressmaker sat erect.
"Say, Harriet, how funny we never
thought! He's just the one for poor
Maggie! Why not send him there?"
"Poor Maggie?" It was the mild
voice Of Mr. Smith.
"Our sister yes. She lives
"Your sister!" Into Mr. Smith's face
,had come a look of startled surprise
a look almost of terror. "But there
weren't btft three that Is, I thought 1
understood from Mr. Chalmers that
there were but three Blalsdells. two
brothers, and one sister j-ou, yourself "
"Oh, poor Maggie ain't a' Blalsdell,"
explained the little dressmaker, with a
smile. "She's Just Maggie Duff, father
Duff's daughter by his first wife, j'ou
know. He married our mother years
ago. when we children were little, so we
were brought up with Maggie and al
waj's called her sister ; though, of
course, she really ain't anj relation to
us at all "
"Oh, I see. Yes, to be sure. Of
course!" Mr. Smith seemed oddly
thoughtful. He appeared 'to be settling
something In his mind "She Isn't a
Blalsdell, then."
"No, but she's so near like one, and
she's a splendid cook, and "
"Well. I sh'n't send him to Maggie,"
cut In Mrs James D. Blalsdell with em
phasis "Poor Maggie's got quite
enough on her hands, as It is, with that
father of hers Besides, she Isn't a
Blalsdell at all."
"And Ehe couldn't come and cook and
take care of us near so much, either,
could she," plunged In Benny, "If she
took this man ter feed?"
"That will do, Benny," admonished
his mother, with nettled dlgnitj'. "You
forget that children should be seen and
not heard."
"Yes'in But. please, can't I be heard
just ,a minute for this? Why don't ye
send the man ter Uncle Frank an' Aunt
Jane? Majbe thej''d take him."
"The very thing'" cried Miss Flora
Blalsdell "I wouldn't wonder a mite if
they did "
"Yes. I was thinking of them," nodded
her sister-in-law. "And they're alvvavs
glad of a little help especlallj- Jane "
"Anybody should be," observed Mr.
James .Blalsdell quietly.
Onlv the heightened color In hlw w Ife's
cheeks showed that she had heard and
understood
"Here, Benny," she directed, "go and
show the gentleman where Uncle Frank
lives "
"All right!" With a spring the bov
leaped to the lawn and pranced to the
sidewalk, dancing there on his toea
"I'll show je, Mr. Sm'th"
Tho gentleman addressed rose to his
feet.
"I thank j'ou. Mr Blalsdell," he said,
"and you, ladies I shall hope to see
j'ou again soon I am sure j'ou can
help me, if j'ou will. In mv work. I
shall want to ask some questions "
"Certainly, sir, certainly! We shall
be glad to see j'ou," promised his host.
"Come anj' time, and ask all the ques
tions j'ou want to "
"And we shall be so Interested," flut
tered Miss Floia. "'I've always wanted
to know about father's folks And
are j-ou a Blalsdell, too?"
There was the briefest of pauses Mr
Smith coughed again twice behind his
hand
"Er ah oh. jes, I may-Eay that
I am Through my mother I am de
scended from the original immigrant,
Kbenezer Blalsdell." .
' Immigrant !" exclaimed Mlsp Flora.
"An Immigrant !" Mrsv James Blals
dell spoke the word as If her tongue
were a pair of tongs that had picked
up a noxious viper.
"Yes, but not exactly as we com
monly regard the term nowadaj-s,"
smiled Mr. Smith. "Mr. pbenezer Blals
dell was a man ot means and distinc
tion He was the founder of the fam
ily in this country. He came over In
1647."
"My, how Interesting!" murmured the
little dressmaker, as the visitor de
scended the steps.
"Good-night good-night I And thank
j'ou again," bowed Mr. ,John Smith to
the assembled group on the veranda.
"And now. young man. I'm at your serv
ice." .he smiled, as he joined Benny.
still prancing on the sidewalk.
"Now nes wnat i can a real nice
pleasant-spoken gentleman," avowed
Miss Flora, when she thought speech
was safe. "I do hope Jane'll take him."
"Oh, yes, he's well enough," conde
scended Mrs. Hattle Blalsdell, with a
yawn.
"Hattle, why wouldn't you take him
In?" renroached her husband. "Just think
riovv the pay would help! And It
wouldn't be a bit of work, hardly, for
jou, Certainly It would be a lot easier
than the way we are doing."
The woman frowned Impatiently.
"Jim, don't, please '. Do j-ou suppose
I got over here on the West Side to
open a boarding-house? I guess not
jet!"
"But what shall we do?"
"Oh, we'll get along somehow. Don't
worry "
31
I
M
Interposed the little dressmaker, spring
ing to her feet with a nervous glance
at her brother and his wife. "I'm for
getting it ain't so near as It used to be.
Good night 1"
"Good - night, good - night t Come
again," called the three on the veranda.
Then the door closed behind them, as
they entered the house.
Meanwhile, walking across the com
mon, Benny was entertaining Mr.
Smith.
"Yep, they'll take ye, I bet ye Aunt
Jane an' Uncle Frank will I"
"Well, that's good, I'm sure."
"Yes. An' It'll be easy, too. Why
Aunt Jane'll Just tumble over herself ter
get j'e. If ye Just mention first what
jer'll pay. She'll begin ter reckon up
right away then, what she'll saye. An
in a minute she'll say, 'Yes, I'll take ye,'."
"Indeed 1"
The uncertainty In Mr. Smith's voles
was palpable even to eight-year-old
"Oh, jou don't need ter worry," het-K?l
hastened to explain "She won't starve
j'; only she won't let ye waste anythln".
You'll have ter eat all the crusts to
jer pie, arid finish 'taters before you , 4
can get any puddln', an' all that, ye
know. Ye see, she's great on savin i
Aunt Jane Is. She says waste Is a sln
ful extravagance before the Lord."
"Indeed!" Mr. Smith laughed outright
this time. "But are you sure, my boy,
that jou ought to talk Just like this, ,
about jour aunt?"
Benny's eyes widened.
"Whj', that's all right. Mr. Smith. j
Hv'rjbody In town knows Aunt Jane.
Why. Ma says folks say she'd save ter- i
day for ter-morrer, If she could. But ".
oho rnnlrln't rtn that, could she? SO
that's Just silly talk. But J'ou wait tilt
you see Aunt Jane."
"All right. I'll wait, Benny."
"Well, ye won't have ter wait long,
Mr. Smith, 'cause here's her house, he
lives over the groe'ry Btore, ter save
rent, ye know. It's Uncle Frank's store.
An' here we are," he finished, banging
open a door and leading the way up a
flight of Ill-lighted stairs.
CHAPTER III
The Small Boy at the Keyhole
AT,oT
K
T THE top of the stairs Benny trie
open the door, but as It did not
give at his pressure, he knocked lus
tily, and called "Aunt Jane, Aunt
Jane!"
"Isnt this the bell?" hazarded Mr.
Smith, his finger almost on a small push
button near him.
"Yep, but It don't go now. Uncfio
Frank wanted It fixed, but Aunt Jane
said no; knockln' was Just a good, an'
't was lots cheaper, 'cause 't would save
mendln', and didn't use any iectrlclty. '
But Uncle Frank (.aj-s "
The door opened abruptly, and Ben
ny Interrupted himself to give eager
greeting. ,
"Hullo, Aunt Jane! I've brought you
somebodj' He's Mr. Smith. An' you'll
be glad. You see If j-er ain't !"
In the dim hallway Mr. Smith saw a
tall, angular woman with graying dark
hair and high cheek bones. Her eyes
were keen and lust now somewhat stern
ly Inquiring, as they were bent upon
himself.
Perceiving that Bennj- considered his
mission as master of ceremonies at an ,
end, Mr. Smith hastened to explain.
"I came from your husband's brother,
madam. He er sent me. He thought
perhaps j-ou had a room that I could '
have."
"A room?" Her eyes grew still more
coldlj' disapproving
" "Yes. and board He thought that
Is, they thought that perhaps j'ou would
be so kind "
"Oh, a boarder ! You mean for pay,
of course?"
"Most certainly 1"
"Oh!" She softened 'visibly and
stepped back. "Well, I don't know. I
never hae but that Isn't saying I
couldn't,-- of course. Comn In. We can
talk it over. That doesn't cost anything.
Come In ; this way, please." As she fin
ished speaking she stepped to the low
burning gas Jet and turned It carefully
to give a little more light down the nar
row hallway.
"Thank you," murmured Mr. Smith,
stepping across the threshold
Benny had already reached the door
at the end of the hall. The woman began
to tug at her apron stilngs.
"I hope j-ou 11 excuse my gingham
apron. Mr. er Smith. Wasn't that the
name?"
"Yes." The man bowed with a smile.
"I thought that was what Benny said.
Well, as I was sajing. I hope j'ouil ex
cuse this apron." Her fingers were fumb
ling with the knot at the back. "I take
It off. mostly, when the bell rlnca eve
nings or afternoons; but I heard Benny,
and I didn't suppose 't was anybody but
him. There, that's better !" With a Jerk
she switched off the dark blue apron
hung It over her arm and smoothed down
tne spotless white anron which had beem
beneath 'the blue. The next Instant she
hurried after Benny with a warning cry.
"Careful, child, careful ! Oh. Benny,
you're always In such a hurry !"
Benny, with a cheery "Come on!" had
already banged open the door before him
and was reaching for the gas burner.
a moment later tne leeoie sparx aDOve
had become a flaring sputter of flame. ,
"There, child, what did I tell you?"
With a frown Mrs. Blalsdell reduced the
flaring light to a moderate ' flame and
motioned Mr. Smith to a chair. Before
she seated herself, however, she went
back into the hall to lower the gas there.
During her momentary absence the
man. Smith, looked about him, and as he
looked he pulled at his collar. He felt
suddenly a choking, suffocating sensa
tion. He still had the curious feeling of
trying to catch his breath when the
woman came back and took the chair
facing him. In a moment he knew why
he felt so suffocated It was because
that nowhere could he see an ooject
that was not wnoiij or partially covered
with some other object or that was' not
serving as a cover itself.
The floor bore Innumerable small rugs,
one before each chair, each door and the
fireplace. The chairs themselves and the
sofa were covered with gray linen slips, s
which, In turn, were protected by nu
merous squaies of lace and worsted of
generous Blze. The green silk spread on
the piano was nearly hidden beneath a
linen cover, and the table showed a suc
cession of Jayers ot silk, worsted and
linen, topped by crocheted mats, on
which rested several books with paper
enveloped covers. The chandelier, mlr-
rnr and nlrttlra frameh eleamed dully
from behind the mesh of pink mosquito
1
M
.!
s--
"Perhaps if you'd worry a little more, .netting. Even through the doorway Into
I wouldn't worry so much." sighed the the hall might be seen the long red-bor-
man aeepiy.
'
"Well, mercy me. I must be going,"
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dered white linen path that carried pro
tection to the carpet beneath.
I don't like eas myself." (With a
start the man pulled himself together
to listen to what the woman was say,
Ing.) "I -think It's a foolish extrava
gance, when kerosene Is so good and so
cneap; out my nusuana win nave it, ana
Mellicent, too. In spite, of anything I
saj- Melllcent's my daughter. I tell
em If we were ricn, it woum oe ou
rerent, of course. But this Is neither
here nor there, nor what you came to
talk about! Now jUBt what Is It that
you want, sir?"
"I want to ooara nere, u i may.
"How long?"
"A veari two years, perhaps. If wa1
are mutually satisfied."
"What do you do for a living?"
Smith cousrhed suddenly. Before ha
could catch his breath to answer Benpy
had jumped Into the breach.
"He sounds someming hkc a uongre
eatlnnallst. onlv he ain't that. Aunt
Jane, and he ain't after money for mis
sionaries, eiiner.
Jane Blalsdell smiled at Benny In
dulgently. Then- she sighed and shook
her head.
"You know, Benny, very wenr mat
nothing would suit Aunt Jane better
than to rive money to all the mis
sionaries Inthe world, If she only had
It to give! "sne signed again as sne
turned to Mr.? Smith. "You're worklnf,
for some church, then, I take It."
Mr. Smith gave auick gesture of
dissent. .-,'
"I am a genealogist, madam. In a
small way: I am collecting data for
v.av n. ti RlfltBrtoll famllv." '.
"Oh!" Mrs. Blalsdell frowned allghtly. IM
The look of cold disapproval came back, vv?
IU Ill VJm, " .". Vi "
couldn't take tne.oooit, ini aura. W"
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