The Mystery of the Uninvited Ghost

cochère. “When you go to get Miss Ryks, will you please pick up Ella Kline’s crutch tips? They’re in her room at the inn.”
    “No need,” the sergeant called back. “Hallie went after them.”
    “Did someone take her?”
    As he drove away, the sergeant shouted, “I understand that she rode a bicycle.”
    Hallie!
    Riding to the Glen Road Inn while Miss Ryks was still in residence was like running headlong into a hornet’s nest. Oh! That was just like a—a Belden! Hallie certainly knew better than to go alone after having promised Brian and Mart to honor the buddy system. But knowing better would not keep her safe.
    Suddenly Trixie realized that Hallie’s safety was just as important to her as Bobby’s. Hallie was family.
    What can I do? Trixie worried. What can I do?

A Wedding and a Wheelchair • 14

    DI AND HONEY rushed down the hall and swept Trixie along with them up the stairs and into the sewing room, where they were to dress.
    As she'd been doing all day, Trixie hurried to the window as soon as she could. Down on the lawn, she could see Brian, Mart, Bobby, and Jim with Hans. They were standing straight to protect the perfect creases in their formal outfits. She saw them wave to her father, who was to take Dan’s place. Matt Wheeler s red hair shone when he crossed a patch of sunlight to join the group. Their work done for the day, Regan, Mr. Maypenny, and Tom walked up from the stable, wearing their best clothes. The men in Trixie’s life were safe. That is, all but Dan....
    Trixie tried to push worry aside and enjoy the moment, as Miss Trask had advised. Just the same, the minute she was dressed, she went back to the window.
    Honey joined her there and said, “They are beautiful, aren’t they?” Then she hugged Trixie and added, “So are we I”
    Trixie had to agree. Her friends seemed to float in their tissue-thin cotton dresses, their sashes and hat streamers providing the color that was perfect for each girl. Di was used to being told she was pretty, and so was Honey, but even they looked at each other with extra appreciation.
    “Guests are beginning to arrive. Let’s all go see Juliana one more time,” Honey decided.
    In a happy rush of fluttering ribbons, Trixie, Di, and Honey ran to Juliana’s room. Mrs. Vanderpoel had come early to help the bride dress. Mrs. Wheeler and Mrs. Lynch were there to provide a borrowed lace handkerchief and a blue satin garter.
    With a lump in her throat, Trixie stopped in the doorway. Out of an earlier time when life was simpler came this happy bride. Healthy skin glowed through strips of handmade lace in throatband and sleeves. The skirt was pulled into long soft pleats by bands of heavy lace, made while a girl waited for a war to end. A wisp of gauzelike veiling seemed to float over the daisy-wreathed white hat. Tiny, dainty, and demure, Juliana Maasden had never looked lovelier.
    Mrs. Vanderpoel clasped one of Juliana’s hands. “If I had a daughter, I’d want her to look just like you, Juliana.”
    “Thank you, Mrs. Vanderpoel,” Juliana whispered. “Thank you all for our beautiful, beautiful wedding.”
    Miss Trask hurried into the room. “Where’s Hallie Belden?” she cried. “It’s almost time for the march to start. I’ve been presenting the guest book, but I can’t do everything!”
    A-Ask Moms to take charge,” Trixie stammered.
    Tom had come upstairs to help Ella Kline, and Trixie followed them down the stairs. He carried Ella in his arms as she held her crutches. When they reached the terrace, Tom gently put her down, and Mart carefully accompanied her to a chair with arms. He stood the crutches upright against the side of the chair. Once more, Trixie was stabbed with resentment against someone who would take advantage of a helpless person.
    For over an hour, the organist had provided a concert of familiar love songs. Near the organ, Celia had charge of the children in the wedding procession. Di’s small sisters fidgeted with the daisy wreaths in their long hair, and Bobby guarded his satin ring pillow with his life. Trixie heard him tell the tiny girls, The ring’s tied on this pillow so those robber kids can’t take it. They took Di’s radio, but I won’t let them take the ring.” Each child regarded Bobby with wide-eyed respect, knowing what it felt like to be robbed.
    When Trixie took her place in the line forming in the lower hall, Jim stopped beside her. He said in a low voice, “I’ve just checked the gift