The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-06-30

far towards explaining the inveterats
course he had taken in reference to Al
thea Knouyz
IT must see those girls again." thought
/ 'Lucessa may be right But" Ny
cogstations got no farther. for at the first
turn Of the road we came upon Lucetta
standing like q wrath by the wayside.
her bent finger laid upon her lip.
II See" she cried, that you have dis
covered nothing. Now may see what
can do TO licr the suspicion which rests
upon those who live upon this unhappy
road.''
But what can you do.' objected.
why. you are as frail as that bough OF
alder under which you are standing"
Never mind; you are sure. are you not.
that people are killed here by some strange
and unforeseen means?'
We h9ve thought So
Very wei. come hack here at
nighuail and see me brave Mr..
Trohm- II he IS the man I think
he is. results win follow which you
viii do we'll to watch. But you must be
secret He must consider himself safe
from all prying eyes"
I stared at the young girl in amaze
ment. There was fever IN her eyes and on
her flushed cheek, but there was stern
determination also. such determination as
a martyr shows for cause which he
deems holy.
You VIII do thise" I exclaimed
81 will do this said she. Remember at
the sunset hour in Mr.. Trohm's garden"
"A whippoorwiils cry shall be the sig
nal" assured her. when you hear that
you may know that a watehful eye Is on
you BOTH
"And heaven defend me-" she murmured.
and was gone before any of Us could utter
another word.
panions, who regarded the girl as half
mad. as we'll as the arguments with which
induced them to keep silence over this
adventure till had given ii the test her
earnestness demanded, and come to the
hour when, concealed in a knot OF bushes
overlooking Mr.. Trohm's garden. / waited
for the sinking OF the sun below the
wooded slopes behind me. I had crept TO
my place quite unperceived, thought.
and il there were no dogs about might rea-
sonably hope to remain undisturbed in my
concealment. Mr.. Trohm. whom 1 had
been enabled 10 keep in sight from my
first minute OF approach. was working
among his flower beds, and as his manner
evinced neither perturbation nor curios-
tty I judged that he looked for no more
visitors in Lost Mans Lane that night
Suddenly I heard a rustic: 1t was very
faint. but as the sun sank at that moment.
raised the cry that had been agreed upon
between Miss Knollys and myself. and in
so natural a tone that Mr.. Trohm looked
up with establishment into the trees above
At the same instant Lucetta krollys ap-
peared at the gate, and ealing his name.
drew his attention to herself. evidently 10
his great surprise and inward agitation
ssI.ucettav' he exclaimed. What does
this mean? You are not in the habit or
visiting me-" And a peculiarly eager
look crossed his face as he came down the
walk. and stopped before her just where
the sweep of the old well have mentioned
cast it's long shadows over the shaseh
lawn.
Her answer was brief and decisive.
mo- she said "I make few visits.
When do come II is to utter either pro-
test or a warning. This time 1t IS
warming Mr.. Trohm, your eV7i pracuces
are discovered; tomorrow you VIII nave
the police here IN earnest they uia pue
play with you today
.sYou child" he gasped. striving now
ever 10 restrain all evidences OF shock or
terror what do you mean, ana TO what
nractices do you allude THAT or my gard
ening and housekeeping? 1 never heafo
them called evil before"
"Rut murder Is evil and gardening ana
housekeeping do not employ all your nme.
Where Is silly Rufus, Mr.. Tronm! Ihey
have asked me. but IL any one IN LOST
Mans Lane can answer thal oues~''AA - -
And then saw that the instinct OF this
Girl had led us where mere acunen wouid
have failed to take us. For the old man
cringed and the wrinkles came out In MS
face till ne was diabolically ugly.
"You viperI' he shrieked. How aare
Won accuse me OF a crfme-you, whose
mother would have died in jail but Tor
INV forbearancei Have you ever seen me
tread ,non a worm even? Lucetta. you
are madr"
MAD or sane. my accusation will bear
fruit. Mr.. Trohm. believe TOO deeply IN
vour guilt not to make others DO So.
"You dor" he sneered.
ct do"
"And why?' he cried.
"Recause your heart is wicked. Because
"Ary face7 Take care. Lucetta, take
care: you will bring trouble on yourself
II you go on"
..Though I bring death. I will denounce
YOU have the honor on my own mouse.
hold 10 defend. Beside, the earth snouio
be rid OF such a monster as you"
"Such a monster as I! Well, my pretty
ONE CHS voice grown suddenly wheeling.
hi. face a study OF mingled passfons),
1--WE will see about that: we will see about
that Como sust a step nearer. Lucetta;
I want to see II you are really the little
IL
His hand was on the curSs OF the old well;
his face, so turned thaa.it caught the
full glare OF the setting sun. leaned toward
the girl, and seemed to exert a fascinating
influence upon her. She took the step he
asked. and before could cry out TO her TO
beware I saw him bend forward with
sudden quick motion, and then start again
upright. while her form, which hut an In
slant before had stood there IN all It's
frafI and youthful beauty. tottered as x
the ground were bending under II, and in
another moment disappeared from my ap-
nailed sight, swallowed IN some creadfui
cavern. that for an instant yawned in the
smooth. shaven lawn before me. and then
vanished again from sight, as IL II had
never been.
shouting out my horror. I bounded from
an 'Nao9