Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-03-22
THE OLD MILL, MYSTERY.
By ARTHUR w. MARcHMoNT, B. n.
athor OF -nIiser
uAnd." Ism"
CHAPTER XII

night had made her III, and She had e.
keep her bed. In the evening she was
worse, and for some days she suffered
from q species OF low fever. On the
third day Savannah told her that the
strike was over and that several Of the
moro prominent strikers had left the
village.
"IIas Gideon Prawle gone with IL,
rcst?" she asked.
mo" answered Savannah. 81 hear
that he's been round to Gorringc /
beg TO be taken back again. lIut, %,
course, he isn't 10 be-"
II should think not" cried Mary
"after having been the cause 81 all III,
trouble"
"Gorrlngc is in high spirits at havn.
beaten the men, said Savannah. "ll
thinks he's done IL all That's nlwu.
the way with your mastcrful men
"Im glad he's won" said mary
She had noticed change IT. Save
nah's manner towards her during
days she had been shut NJ by her ili
ness and II had made hcr thoughtful
why are you glad? ~ you IT,.
him?" asked Savannah, quir!,ly lrua
ing keenly and senrchingly nj Mary.
"I.ik, hin? What has that b. 40
with the strike? am glad. because ii
he had not VOL the strike wuuld haze
had to 60 oil indefinitely. lie wouh
never have given in"
Ugh! Sometimes hate him ~, q
Savannah, flashing out into sudicl
rage. lies "a devil"
4 NJ.
constituent at the others quirl; We
hcmenct. "Why, what has lac done tu
make You say thntr'
81 huts him. criei the girl again
the angcr flashing out Of the depth, o.
her dirk blue eyes while her face
crimsoncd with passion. 81 hate hin.
IL had chance III Kin him"
Savannah, what il 1t? What Ia.
he dOno 10 you /" make you ike this
IL him?" said Mary gently laying her
hand on the others.
"What has he done? Why, he But
what Is IL 10 yDu2" she cried aaatchinr
her hand from Mary's, ana turning or
her with quick impctuous fury. "Whut
do you come sncnhing and trying t.
catch inc tripping for. and sayiug thal
which you think will give You hul1
over Inc, with YOU. fawning touch aud
your false softncss? You are all false.
Ion are all against me. You arc all
devils together. but You don't catcl
me tripping not tin | had my way an1
won my purpose. 50 don't you thinls
it;" and with loud. moclSing laugh
she hurried out OF tho room. leaving
Mary full Of wondcrncnt aud fear ~
her strange words and stranger man
ncr.
But Mary In the days of her illness
had greater trouble than Savannah's
eccentricity. Tom came only very sell
dom TO the cottage To ask after her;
and In oil the week that she lay in bed
she did not once see him.
She saw Reuben Gorringc before she
saw Tom. lie had called at the cot.
tage every day when he had learnt of
her Illness, and had brought her fruit
and flowers and delicacics.
"You have been III, indeed" he said,
taking her hand, and looking into her
eyes with look OF grave concern on
his dark face.
And you have been winning battles
over the men," she said, and smiled,
not very brightly, although the mans
sympathy touched her.
"Yes, we have won. But Il Is ms
much your victory us mine" he sail.
"WhyP What do you mean?" This
with quick look.
That you took the same side as I.
lfyou had gone against me should
not have attempted TO fight. You are
nll In all TO me still. Mary"
The girls rather pale face flushed
under the look which accompanied
these words.
MIR Gorringe"-she began.
Stay. | forgot myself, Mary. am
sorry. won't offend again. know
what you would say. But the look u
you 30 pale and weak and feeble made
me forget myself and my PROMISE
everything but my feelings. am a
selfish brute. But there, it's past. For
give me- Aud he held out his hand.
She gave him hers for moment, and
then withdrew II. She could not be
angry with him.
NOW tell me,are you really stronger?
want TO know that particularly; |
have reasons"
yes, am quite strong"
What caused your illncssp"
IL scarcely know. A chill. most
likely. Caught on the night when thnt
strange explosion took place. Did Won
ever find out what that was2" nsI,eS
Mary, shuddering involuntarilv M The
recollection Of the time.
Never. But have my suspicious "
what are they?"
81 believe an attempt was in,ended
to be made upon the mill and TINT In
some way, how know not, II was
frustrated"
Mary was silent.
"But there Is another matter I ,vort
70 speak OF. As the bother with the
people Is now over, there'll be no need
70 take such care where the hands
lodge. You have done well 10 keen
Savannah Morbyn here so long. but
now she can look for some other place. +"
Are you going TO keep her on at the
mill?" asked Mary.
You would not have me turn away
those who stood by me In the time OF
trouble, would your" he asked, not
quite at his ease. but there Is no
reason why she should not get lodg-
ings elsewhere"
~ don't wish 10 turn her out" said
Mary. Mother and are used 10 hay
ing her now In the house, though al
first I was little scared at her goings
on at times. She's bit queer"
''Eh? How do you mean bit queeri
ANi.nA h..nl .hn doO.l