The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-04-20
UNDER THE NAPLES;
Or, the Test of Character.
A Story Of Village Life
w "A L 7 E r N. HIN M A N.
A Story of Village Life
CHAPTER XVI.


room. Ira still sat by the bedside. He
appeared as one stunned. She no longer
doubted but that the sudden loss OF the
money borrowed from Laura, following
the days and nights of overwork and
anxiety. had ended in the temporary I'M
balancing of his mind He could not
have realized what he was doing. but o.
what proof that was OF how much he
loved Laura She was glad that Laura
was away from home.
won't you please drink a cup of coffee
and 90 and lie down and get some sleep?"
she said. coaxingly.
Yes, he thought, had better do that
Something fearful was threatening Babe
WHY, her crime was arson.
He said: "Yes, 1 must have sleep;
perhaps then / can think what TO do"
He drank the coffee and took some of
the opiete prepared for Nancy and went
to his room.
Mr.. Lorraine came over. 1t seemed to
Babe as if she had never seen face more
welcome. She told him all she knew OF
the night before. Then Arthur came, and
DR.. Heron, and the insurance agent, and
the squire and Martha Warren-all wore
shocked, grieved faces. but the suffering
girl never gave up or broke down for an
instant.
DIR. Heron pronounced Nancy rational
and much better. She would need but
little watching now.
Sam had been told to como over by Mr..
Lorraine, but on his shivering way he met
Tom Dowdall.
'Going to see Doc Davies hung?" cried
out that young fellow.
"Wh-what fuT?" stammered Sam.
"Why, setting fire to house with peo-
pie in it's worse than killing a man
course they'll hang him.
Poor half-witted Sam The memory of
Nancy dropping that lighted match on the
oil-soaked shavings came wildly before
him-perhaps they would hang him too
for seeing il done de groaued and fled
back to the house in abject terror, put his
few things in q satchel and started for his
uncle's, small farmer who lived a few
miles from the village.
Arthur, Squire Warren, Mr.. Lorraine
DR.. Heron and Mr.. Tompkins held con-
suftation in Arthur's office. The circum-
stances of the case were gone over care
fully. There could be no doubt of the
fire being the work of en- incendiary: the
wrecked stock and Babes explanation OF
il showed too clearly the object. No one
of them doubted but that Ira fired the
store, but they all agreed that he could
not have been in his right mind when he
did il. 1t wac decided 70 have DR.. Her
ron and Arthur see him at once, hear
what he had 70 say and judge OF his pres
ent mental condition.
When Ira awoke he could collect his
thoughts little better. He lay with his
ewes open and thought over all the cir
L.
one appalling fact was clear to him: Babe
must have done it. She was impulsive-
perhaps her grief made her insane-possi-
sibly she did it in her sleep, but how
would sOciety-how would the law look at
this? He must save her some way, but
hox2
For the first time he became aware of
how deeply he loved Babe. He saw that
she was nearer and dearer to him than all
else in the world. but there was no time
now to analyze this discovery; he simply
felt il 70 be an undeniable fact for Laura,
himself, everything but Babes danger
was forgotten in his intense anxiety to
shield her. but what could he do?
There was a gentle rap at the door;
Arthur came in followed by DR.. Heron.
There was something unnatural in their
looks and manner, Ira watched them IN
easily. They appeared nervous and
watched him closely. There was not the
usual cordial friendliness in their voices.
Were they going TO condemn Babe?
"How do you feel today?" asked DR..
Heron, and be approached him and at
tempted to examine his pulse.
Ira was strangely irritated by this: it
was no time TO be foolish, he wasn't sick
and he told the old doctor so, peevishly,
and refused his wrist.
o.o
chances.
Have you had pleasant sleep?" asked
Arthur affably.
Now, at such a time az this, for Arthur
10 ask such an idiotic question it was
simply maddeningl What difference did
il make whether he slept or not, WHY
didn't they say something about Babe?
lie was very angry at Arthur. He would
wither him.
II think this weather will make pea
nuts cheaper. don't your" he said in the
most sarcastic tones be could assume.
There was another rap at the door; the
insurance agent entered with a stranger.
There was whisper and nod between
DIR. Heron and the agent
What Is the matter with these people,
thought Ira; why don't they talk out so L
can know what has been done and form
some plan to save herr
why don't you introduce me to the
gentleman?" he said, snappishly.
Excuse me, said the insurance man :;
CDR Davies, Mr.. Brown" Mr. Brown
bowed, but said nothing. only he gave
Ira piercing look and sat down.
Presently they all looked at each other
and arose and shook hands with Ira
Arthur and DIR. Heron told him they
would see him as soon as they could, and
walked out-all except Mr.. Brown.
Ira got up. He was dressed except his
collar and coat, and as soon as he had put
on these, he turned to the stranger.
"What can do for you, Mr.. Brown?"
eff you are able l would like you to go
with me"
"Why certainly l am able. but where
TOT"
lam a deputy sheriff, said Mr.. Brown,
'and have an order for your arrest"
Let me see the paper" exclaimed Ira
eagerly.
lie read it over hastily. as this all
you have7" he asked, trying his best to
keep calm.
Eyes; what's missing about it,"
thrill Of surprise and JOY made Ira's
heart leap. He only was arrested. Thank
God they did not even suspect Babel
ayes" he said, 81 am ready to 60