Page 80 - 1921 VES Meteor

112
home to dinner. But, alas, the caretaker's husband came and stayed iu the chapel until she returned from dinner.
Carson was Ycry much discouraged over the way the gods of Lnck :frowned upon him, bnt with the patience of the a~ complished crook, he awaitell his opportunity. Ilc was be-
ginning to fear that he would be compelled to miss his train in order to accomplish his evil purpose, when he suddenly remembered that most old people refresh themsclve:; with a daily siesta about an hour after dinner. He then went nnd
very quietly peeped into the old lady's study window. IIer
head had fallen OYer on her breast smd she was snoring sofrly.
Then, his eyes lightinbrr with an unhoh· lirrht Ed ru.shed down •b'
to the basement door that woulll admit him to the room con- taining the object of his profane curiosity. IJe did not fal ter until he was within a yard of the package. He reached out his hand to grasp it but something seemed to restrain him. lie felt as if General Lee himself "·ere watching him. He wheeled sudc~enly, as if almost C}i:pecting, really, to see the
great commander's ghost.
u\Yhy-uh, how foolish of meI" he said as he turned and
again reached for the package. This time l1e did not hesitate , but grasped it :firmly in his ltand. Carefully lifting it, so as
not to disturb anything else, he carried it to the table and equally as careful, opened it, carefully marked the strings where the knots were. He then unrolled the paper and dis- closed to his astonished ga7.c--not important papers, not per-
sonal letters -but a dozen plain, white handkerchiefs.
Carson rewrapped the handkerchiefs with iu:finite care, so that the package bad the appearance of never having been
unwrapp:d, and very carefully placed it iu exactly the spot from wlnch he Lad remoYecl it. He then walked ont of the chapel and to the waiting train with ·a beatific smile on his face.
llis curiosity had been gratified.
G. S. Bnowx.
'