Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-05-10
THE OLD MILL, MYSTERY.
By ARTHUR w. MARcHMoNr, B. a.
Auth of
vhose HAnd," "I-a,-
Icopyrsh b. 10

have been some other clcw. lie must
have been recognized" he said. but
there was not enough conviction in ms
words TO soothe the girl.
"oh, Tom, Tom! What have done
she walled, and bent her face on her
arms on the table. Suddenly she raised
her head and looked searchingly at her
companion "Why did you not wan
me when you were here last night?'
~ did not think there was
more than the merest shadow Of
suspicion in the minds of the police
was the ready answer. DO you think
could have such n thought and not
tell you! II you do ! had better go. T.
there is no trust between rs we can dn
nothing 20 save Tom from the trouble.
Forgive me-" cried Mary. auyiu.
not TO offend one whose help auj
friendship meant so much 20 her lo, '
81 do trust you" and she put ont h,r
hand as IL TO dctnin him
at IL more valuable now to nsS yua
what was the result of the iutorvi'.,
What was Toms decision? Had o.,
meant to come back and face all, or {.
wait until the truth could be mad,
clear2'
At that instant as he asked the quag-
ton the suspicion of Gorringc which
had prompted her question minute
before flashed into the girl's mind aud
warned her to be cautious in all that
she told him, and not TO say anything
which might be used against Tom.
II had better tell you all that |
know" she answered evndmg the
question and wishing to gain time 10
think how she had best frame what
she wanted TO say. Gle went away bee
cause Of what you and MIR. Coodc had
said to him in the afternoon, threaten.
ing him with prosecution in the money
matter; and he was not willing 10
come back until he knew that that
was over"
But you told him what had said,
didn't you, and that at the earliest mo-
ment possible ! went to his cottage to
assure him that all that affair was over
and done for?"
Eyes, | told him what you had said;
but he felt angry and bitter that such
threat should ever have been used"
II see. lie wanted something moro
than n mere promise of that Bind
TO bring him back, suppose. But
now that affairs have taken this
disastrous turn IL Is most important
TO learn what he told you ms TO his
movements on Friday night What did
he tell you of those?"
IL did not press him; scarcely
asked him." said Mary, hesitating and
stumbling over the words; but he
tod me enough 10 convince me that he
was never near the mill that night"
Reuben Gorringe listened 10 the
confused statement In silence, and
then bent his eyes on the girls face
and knitted his brows, as he answered.
"You are doing what you, no doubt,
think right, Mary, in trying To screen
Tom; and II you don't want TO speak,
don't want TO try and persuade you
20 do so against your will. But don't
try to hoodwinlS me. Either you don't
or you won't understand how serious
matters are. Tom has got not only to
convince you, but TO prove TO court
that his tale Is the truth. My own
view Is this; We had better instruct
some good sharp lawyer who Is skilled
in these cases, and leave him to say
what Is the best line To be taken.
But of course Tom will have to deal
with him candidly, and ! thought II
you had told me what he says | might
have been able TO think out u sugges-
ton or two. For make no secret TO
you, my child, that l look ON the case
as desperately grave and serious"
"Why?" asked the girl. "Why seri-
Gus or desperate2 What is known to
anyonep What is suspected except by
you9"
"You don't mean that unkindly, |
hope; though you are strange to me
to night" he said "How can / be
anything else than suspiciousp Think
for moment. There was the quarrel
with Mr.. Coode, the breaking into the
mill, the finding of the neclSerchief,
the taking Of the papers, the discovery
of that steel bar wrapped in one OF the
missing papers, the flight, and now the
unwillingness to give any ineligible
account of his movements"
~ didn't say there was any unwill.
ingness," said Mary, frightened by
the staggering accumulation of facts.
mo, you did not say so, lass, know.
But can suppose you would not have
been ready enough with the explnna.
tion II he had given you one? What
have said has frightened you; and YOU
are pale at the mere mention of these
facts. But l have not wished 10 ter
rify you; only 10 try and let you see
how other people will look at them
when they are known"
The girl hung her head and bit her lip
imagination for minute. yet thinking
deeply and intently. Then she lifted
her face and looked at her companion.
"When they are known. WIN they
ever be known" she asked, in voice
that was unsteady and low. "Why
need they be known"
What do you meanp" asked the
man by way of reply.
"Most of these things are known
only to YOU" she said "Why, then, is
II necessary to speak of them?"
Reuben Gorringe rose from his chair
and walked once or twice with hasty
steps up and down the little room.
Then he stopped by the side of the girl.
"You would have me continue TO
keep all this as secretp" he asked,
and bent over her as he spoke.
You have said you are our friend
Toms friend and mine" She looked
mp In his face, and spoke in plead
ing, duplicating tone, "Can you not
do this out of your friendship
know he has never done what is said
against him. i know 1t; feel Il in
my heart. would not ask this II |
did not lfnntu Tint Tonne ba.-t g.