The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1898-03-22
you knew who did the deed, but I've

''Thar you for your good opinion.
"And that means you won't tell me.
''There is nothing to tel"
''Ahi it is breaking one of the ten
commandments to lie, Mr.. Lynde era
ham,
81 try to be resigned, Miss Fulton" he
said, gravely, eff it is Gods will that |
shall die"
"But it was never Gods will that an
innocent man should be hung While
the real criminal goes at larger she an
swered, excitedly; "and to think you
might save yourself if you would!
LET us drop the subject, if you
please"
tAnd what if I don't please? It's no
use to deny that you know who did this
murder I can read it in your eyes. II
you did not see the deed committed,
you are morally certain whose hands
are stained with blood! But if you pre-
fer to die rather than speak out, we
must let you have your own way; only
do hope you'll not feel too much dis
appointment if before the tWenty-t1fth
of June, the day your reprieve expires,
the real murderer should be discov-
eredr
He started up, pale and distraught,
and laid nervous hand on her arm.
''Miss Fulton!" he exclaimed, what
do you know? What
81 know nothing" she said, button
ing her gloves coolly. I'm going away
now. This cell would give me the
rheumatism in an hour more. I wish
you good-by, DR.. Graham. Come Aggie,
dear"
Agnes had been greatly panied by the
turn Helen had given to the converse
ton, but she knew the girls warm heart
too we'll to think for moment that she
had designed to be unfeeling.
That evening after they had gone to
the little parlor they had in common,
and Agnes had seated herself, looking
so pale, and worn, and distressed,
Helen sat down on low stool at her
feet and folded her arms over her lap.
agnes, dear" she said, coaxingly, If
I were you I wouldn't fret about that
Lynde Graham"
Agnes burst into tears.
90 Helen! Only two little weeks
more and he is to die! When I think
of it, it seems as if I shall go mad!'
Helen rose and stood behind her
chair, holding the wet face to her
bosom, and smoothing tenderly the soft
hair.
81 beg to differ from you, Agnes, on
that point. I do not think DR.. Graham
will die on the 25th of June unless he
eats cucumbers and catches the
cholera"
90 Helen, Helen! how can you joke
so dreadfully? Only think if you were
just in my placer
81 would not like it. I've no taste
for melancholy. I don't like to cry. 1t
makes my nose red, and swells my eye
lids"
few days afterward Helen was out
in the garden looking at the syringas
which were just bursting into flower.
She stood a little in the shadow, and
Imogene Trenholme passing hurriedly
down the path did not perceive her.
Something in the expression of Mrs.
Trenholme's face struck the girl, and
she followed cautiously along, in the
shade of the shrubbery. At the eX-
tremity of the garden there was a great
oak and in it hollow scooped out by
the hand of decay. Imogene looked
searchingly around her, then drawing
from her bosom a folded paper, she
dropped it into the hollow, and hastily
retraced her steps.
"Now, young lady" said Helen to her
self, ''it's your duty to see to this post
office that is established without the
sanction of your Uncle Samuel" And
going to the tree she withdrew the
paper. It was not sealed and was mere
ly slip bearing these words:
'In the Haunted Chamber, at Eleven
Tonight
$50 how unused T-elen. cts an ap-
pointment with the ghost, by all that's
good and bad! Well, never! If it was
a gentleman ghost I should suspect Mrs.
Imogene of infidelity. But there's some-
thing behind this, Helen Fulton, and
it's your duty to watch till you see it.
1ou re kept mere dC lnlS mouse Tor
Heaven only knows what, but you'd
better not be caught mapping. And you
must not go into the house until you
see who takes this precious bit of paper.
will you?"
She refolded the paper and returned
it to the hollow. Then wrapping her
shawl around her, she crouched down
behind some tall lilac bushes and wait