Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-10-05

when I leaned from the window and
hailed him.
"Halloo, there! what's up? What do
you want ?" demanded.
CHANGING up at me with his stupid
stare, he spoke. "When you want to
send anything away by freight, have IL
at the station before nine o'clock in the
morning" he said, in the celebrating
way of one who is compelled to manu-.
facture speech on the spur of the
moment.
us that all you wish to say to me?
You did not come all the way from Sid
ington to tell me that?" l inquired,
caustically.
"Why, no." he began, CHANGING all
around, as though seeking for his
words in the surrounding objects. 81
Il thought perhaps you didn't know
that-that-a-are you having good
timer"
"a most enjoyable time indeed" ex-
claimed, enthusiastically, if somewhat
sarcastically. Just such a time as
I needed-restful, quiet, and perfect
peace"
Just truce of smile seemed TO fit
across his face at my words.
"Oh! then there is nothing the mat
ter with the placer" he asked, Gu
riously.
I was considerably surprised at this
question. II should say not. What
should be the matter with it 2" asked.
"Some folks say it's kind o queer
like. Some say dead people use the
house at nights for meetings." he re-
piled, sinking his voice down low, and
CHANGING around nervously.
SIS that so? Well, let them. AS
long as the dead ones don't disturb me,
am sure have no objection. What
part of the house are the spirits sup
posed to frequent?" asked, thought
of the walled cellar coming to me.
The fellow seemed a trife flustered,
thought, by my sudden question. He
gave vent to nervous laugh, and al
the same time darted sharp glance
at me, which, momentary as it was,
nevertheless was SO different from his
usual half-wondering stare that was
impressed by it.
ooh, I don't know what part of the
house is used by the spirits. How
should I know"
There had been something irritating
to me in the fellow, and, as there was
hint of insolence in his last words.
gave way to my Impotence.
"see here; you have given me some
strange hints about my house." l be-
gan sternly; "now, then, you'll please
explain more fully what you mean
Mr.. Hunter, or perhaps, should say,
Mr.. Skinner"
I do not know what impelled me to
add the name which sonntag said was
the correct one, but the effect on the
fellow startled me considerably.
His eyes grew staring, and terrified
hunted expression came over his face
CHANGING furtively around and draw.
ing back step or two, his hand went
to his hip-pocket.
AS the CLINT of shining object
caught my eye, I drew suddenly back tc
one side Of the window, and the next
instant pistol report sounded out.
I stood still moment, dumfounded
by the attack, then dropped on my
hands and knees and crept past the win.
dow to the table, in the drawer of which
had placed my pistol. Hastily grasp
ing the weapon and noting that it was
ready for use, arose and approached
the window, holding the pistol before
me in readiness.
"Two can play at your game, Mr.. - J,
But got no further. The man was no
where to be seen. !:
/ fastened from the house and rar
around, searching for him, but no trace
could I discover. He had vanished com
pletely. His sudden disappearance
puzzled me.
soon gave up the search, put the pis
toll in my pocket, and started briskly VI
the road toward the Morley place.
If the station agent was such des
perate fellow as to draw and shoot Mt g
word, what could Florence have to dc
with him?
1t was strange that Sonntag should
know the fellows right name and not
know the danger attendant on calling
him by it. My lawyer had seemed sur
prised when I stated that the fellow
had told me his name was Hunter. In
oil probability sonntag had addressed
him by the name of Skinner many
times, and the fellow had not resented
it, or the lawyer would have mentioned
the fact. Why, then, should he resent
in SO fierce and deadly manner my USE
of his right name?
Perhaps Florence could tell me some
thing about Mr.. Hunter, or Skinner. Al
least 1t was right should warn he1
against him.
With these thoughts fitting across
my mind, soon arrived at the Morley
home. and, entering the gate, went VI
the long graveled walk. Before an op
portunity was allowed me to ascend
the steps leading to the piazza. my name
was called.
"Why, Mr.. Conwayl"
1t was Florence who called, and WHIT
on my turning toward her got out o.
hammock. She was still dressed in hel
ridsng-habit, and as approached I no
ticed her horse tied to post near by.
"Are you going riding again."
asked. I'm that case, pardon my in
trusion."
Papa and usually ride at thi.
time. am waiting for him." she said
with a touch Of surprise; for I had
spoken in rather formal tones.
Then will defer my errand. Some
other time will answer just as well, per
haps. Will you kindly tell me when
may have the pleasure of seeing your
what is it, Nelson? What can b.
the matter?" she asked. her brown