In Search Of Adventure

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 234, 1 July 1939, Page 7 (Supplement)

In Search Of Adventure

(Original, by Annie Laurie (17), Wellington.)

die was cast. Life had gone on uneventfully for too long. Desmond and Diana were going in search of .adventure. They had made the momentous decision one wet Saturday afternoon. It had grown boring to play ludo; Diana had grown tired of Angelina (the wax doll whose eyes actually opened and shut) with all her attractions, and Desmond had overwound his clockwork engine, which lay, a pitiful sight, under the table. The two 'children were sitting on the hearth-rug. There had been no word spoken for Quite three minutes. “Well?” said Desmond. “Well?” said Diana.

This did not enlighten either of them to any great extent, so Desmond said: “What shall we do?”

Diana’s eyes suddenly shone; “Can’t we go on an adventure? Oh, Des, do let’sl”

Desmond looked at his usually stolid little sister, and said, not committing himself to anything: “What sort of an adventure?”

“I don’t know. But I was thinking we could explore something,” replied his sister.

“What, for instance?” said Desmond in an unexcited tone. “The cupboard,” breathed Diana. Desmond was taken aback. Even his superior mind > could not imagine anyone wanting to explore the cupboard. Why, it might hold anything! It was in the old-disused attic in the very top of the.house. A dark, cobwebby little room with a cupboard set in one corner. No one ever went up into the attic,- much less the two younger members of the family, Had not their elder brother, Bob, told them dread tales of the day he and Betty had actually found a skeleton in that very cupboard? No. he would sooner seek adventure elsewhere. He said so. Diana rose as majestically as her small stature would allow.

“Well, if you are frightened, I shall go alone. I’ve always wanted to see the inside of that cupboard, and now I’m going to.” She gave her brothera look of unutterable disdain, and moved towards the door.

“Wait a minute. Di, I'm coming"—a girl would never say Desmond O’Halloran .feared to enter the attie and probe the mysteries of the cupboard. He followed her.

Having climbed the stairs, they stopped outside the door. Even here it was very dim, for only a small window lit the w-hole landing, which was seldom used, as it led into only a lumber room and the attie. Well, what are you waiting for?” said Desmond. “I’m—er—getting my breath,” stammered Diana. “Hurry up, then,” said her brother. “If you were a gentleman you’d open the door for me,” said Diana, who had heard Betty say that to Bob. “Oh, no; ladles first,” said Desmond.

Finally the door was opened and they stepped inside. It was very dark. Terrifying shapes loomed on all sides. A long box on the floor came suddenly into view—Diana clasi>ed her brother’s arm convulsively. “Des! Look!” Even that here felt himself jump. It looked like a coffin. Perhaps . . . dark possibilities swept over him. He spoke with an assurance lie did not feel.

“Don’t be silly, Di —it’s only the top off dad’s portmanteau.” They both knew it was, but

Over there in the gloom was the cupboard that they had come to explore. It looked very menacing with its high doors and the wide, deep drawer at the bottom. “Wow!” cried Desmond suddenly. “What’s the matter?” said Diana.

“Nothing.” But he was remembering Bob’s story of the skeleton. Ugh! Having rallied his forces, Desmond grasped the dusty handle. The door slowly opened. Diana gave a horrified shriek. Desmond a stifled 1 gurgle. From the grey shadows a skull peered forth—a terrible, grinning skull. Could even the bravest of us have stared a skull in the face? Desmond and Diana could not. Stumbling over boxes and chairs, and the “coffin,” they finally succeeded in escaping from the attic, and at last were -back in the playroom, dusty and dishevelled. Here, in the good light of day, things were not so ominous. Desmond calmly inquired : “Enjoyed the adventure?” They sat in mild anxiety, wondering whether the skull would pursue them downstains. Nothing happened. Presently their brother Bob arrived home. “What’s the matter with you two?” he asked, when he saw the silent pair. “We’ve seen the skeleton,” announced Desmond solemnly. “What?” said Bob, slightly amazed. “Up in the attic,” said Diana. “Go and look.” A few minutes later they heard hearty bursts of laughter floating down the stairs; then their brother entered, holding something behind him. “You kids are priceless. This is your skeleton—my old 1 pirate hat!” He brandished the black three-cornered hat with its white cloth skull, and went into another fit of hilarity. On the rug Desmond and Diana looked at each other shamefacedly. Then Diana picked up Angelina, and Desmond said: “Do you think you could fix my engine up, Bob?”