The Definite Object Part 94

"Because I've jest been into her bedroom, an' there's her things--except that nightdress--but she--ain't!"

"Not there? She must be! Did you look in--her bed?"

"Lord, Mr. Geoffrey--her bed ain't been tetched!"

"Then where in the world is she?"

"Well," said Mrs. Trapes, consulting her watch again, "it is now exactly fifteen and three-quarter minutes after midnight, so I guess she's in bed somewhere. But this is a big house, an' there's lots of bedrooms, so if I was you, I'd go an' look--till I found her--"

Ravenslee was at the door so swiftly that Mrs. Trapes started, and she saw his eyes were very bright, and the hands he laid on her bony shoulders were quivering.

"Mrs. Trapes," said he, "I will!"

Then he stooped, very suddenly, and kissed the thin, grey hair above her grim eyebrow, and so--was gone.

"Find her?" mused Mrs. Trapes, glancing after him up the wide stairs.

"Why, yes, I guess he will sure find her--where she should have been weeks ago. Lord, what a silly, beautiful, lovely thing love is!" and she stood awhile smiling down into the fire, and her smile was very tender.

Then she sighed, switched off the lights, and went softly away.