Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-04-12

unlocked however. ana pushing 1t
open she entered
The old man. hearing q ruisc. called
...r ru. 1,m re sou couc
bacy2'
No Mr. Roylance. it's me. said
Mary. going into the inner room where
he lay. where Is Tom
That's Just what | don't know my
lass. I don't know whatevers come
TO the lad lie went out somewhere
about eight or nine, should think II
was. and came rushing In half an
hour ago all In. hurry-scurry.
Stopped about five or six minutes. and
then came TO me and said he was GO
ing off.
"'whcre are you going, lad9' l
asked
"'Don't know, father, III let you
Know In day or so. am going away
for the holidays But he didn't lool,
like holidaying, not to my eyes lie
was all excited and trembling aud
shaking and pale, and don't know
what.
"' What's the matter. Tom?' | asked
him hut he just said naught: and he
shook my hand and stopped and kissed
me on the forchcad-a thing he amt
done for years
What I'm duin'. I'm dom for the
best he said Don't think too hard
ON met bless the lad. what could |
think hard on him for2 but before |
could tell him that, he was gone"
What she heard multiplied Mary's
uneasinoss many times She said
quietly and soothingly:
"Iic down. father. and try To ret
some sleep. I'll stop and see II Tom
comes in"
She smoothed his pillows. made the
bed more comfortable. shaded the
lamp from his face and then sat down
by the head OF the bed To watch and
wait.
She sat as still as sleep itself. thinls-
ing over what had been told her aud
wondering what II could mean. Had
he determined 10 take Mr. Coode's
offer and leave the town. after his
many assertions that he would do
nothing of the kind? " 50. was Sn-
vannah In any way connected yi IA his
going away? That Thought was lie a
dagger thrust.
She could not sleep. Her brain was
too restless, TOO busy. too ait incui. hg
She watched the darkness outside lift
and Eighteen gradually; and when the
faint gray light came stealing ia
through The white blind. throwing up
Ia din onrlinc the figure aud then the
features 81 the old man who lay slecp.
ing Oh the bed, Mary rose and put ont
the lamp. aud then watched the iight
rs II Groadcned and frightened and
listened to the sounds of the dawn rs
they came in family from wichout.
The light wns full and strong
enough To show Mary the time by the
small clock on the mantcl oonrd--six
n'clocl-whcn her ear caught 'hc
sound OF the footsteps Of those who
were intending to begin their holiday
"arly in the dny.
Suddenly knock sounded ON the
door u the cottage. making the girl
start. Then hand tried tire door aud.
inding it open, some one came with a
heavy step along the passage
What Is ito asked Mary. going to
meet the incomer, and speaking In IL
low voice 10 rs not to wake the old
old man.
I've come 90 tell Tom the news,
lnss," said 'ho man, ncighbor. who
was dressed IN his best and going for
his holiday.
"rhc ncwS?" said Mary. IA strnnre
time Cor telling news, Mr. Bridge" she
said, checrfully.
Aye. md rs strange news 70 tell
lass, too. some one got into the mill
last right aud titled old Mr.. Coodc
lie WAS 'ouhd dead this .norning when
jake NarnwOrth went in"
Dead lillcdw cried Mary, in
hustled. horror-ladcu voice.
AYE, KILLED, sure enough, with his
face all battered and beaten out Of
shape and knowledge. It's naught but
murder, that job"