The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1898-05-27

preached the fireplace. she was
startled by a sound OF stealthy foot
steps. in the hall. followed by a loud
noise as OF some heavy object that
had dropped on the floor. She rang
the bell violently. and then hurried
to the door OF the parlor. As she
opened it. the footman passed her,
running out. and apparently in pur-
suit OF somebody. at the top OF his
speed. She followed him as rapidly
as she could. out of the cottage and
across the little front garden to the
gate. Arriving in the road, she vas
just in time to see him vault upon
the luggage board at the back of a
post-chai G, which had apparently
little beyond it. Peter gained the
board just as the postillion started
the horses on the way to London.
He saw Mrs. Bowmore looking at
him. before the carriage had greatly
increased it's distance from the cot
tage. and pointed, with an in Olent
nod of his head, first to tho inside OF
the vehicle, and then over it to the
high-road; signing to her that he
designed to accompany the person
in the post chaise to the end of the
journey.
Turning to go back to the cottage,
Mrs. Bowmore saw her own bewilder-
ment reflected i'll the faces of the two
female servants. who had followed
her out.
who can Peter be after ma'am?"
asked the cook. .'Do you think it's
a thief?"
The house-maid pointed to the
post-chaise. barely visible in the dis
lance. ''Simpleton!" she said. .'Do
thieves travel in that way? l wish
my master had come back" she pro-
ceede1, Speaking to herself. I'm
afraid there's something wrong"
Mrs. Bowmore, returning through
the gate, instantly stopped and looked
at the woman.
What makes you mention your
masters name, Amelia. when you
fear something is wrong" she asked.
Amelia changed color and looked
confused.
Il am loath to alarm you. ma'am,"
she said. land l can't rightly see
what it is my duty to do"
Mrs. Bowmore's heart sank within
her under the cruelest of all terrors,
the terror of something unknown.
Don't keep me in suspense" she
said family, .sWhatever it is, let
me know it."
She lead the way back to the par
lor. The house-mald followed her.
The cook declining to be left alone,
followed the house maid.
at was something l heard this
afternoon, ma'am," Amelia began.
Cook happened to be busy"
The cook interposed; she had not
forgiven the house-maid for calling
her q simpleton. "No, Amelia! If
you must bring me into it-not busy.
Uneasy in my mind or the subject of
soup"
Il don't know that your mind
makes much difference" Amelia pro-
ceeded. What it comes to is this
it was I, and not you who went into
the kitchen garden for vegetables
"Not by my wish. heaven knows!''
persisted the cook.
Leave the ROOM" said Mrs. Bow
more. Even her patience had given
way at last
The cook looked as ii she declined
to believe her own ears Mrs. Bow
more pointed to the door. The cook
said oh" it a a question.
Mrs. Bowmore's finger still pointed.
The cook. in solemn silence, yielded tC
circumstances, and banged the door.
II was getting vegetables, ma'am,
Amelia resumed, .'when | heard
voices on the other side of the pal
ing. The wood is so old that one
can see through the cracks easy
enough. l saw my master and Mr..
Linwood and Captain Bervie. The
captain seemed to have stopped the
other two on the pathway that leads
to the field, he stood. as it might be
between them and the way back tc
the house, and he spoke severely,
that he did! For the last time, Mr..
Bowmore,' says he, will you under
stand that you are in danger, and
that Mr.. Linwood is in danger. unles:
you both leave this Deighborhood to
night" My master made light of it
For the last time says he, will yor
refer us to a proof of what you say
and allow US to judge for ourselves?
L have told you already says the
captain, i am bound by my duty to
ward another person to keep what
know a secret Very WE'LL say:
my master. Il am bound by my duty
to my country. And l tell you this,
says he, in his high and mighty way
neither government nor the spies o
government, dare touch a hair of m!
head; they know it, sir, for the heaG
of the peoples friend" The captain
lost his temper. What stuff say
he; there's a government spy in YOU
house at this minute. disguised a
your footman.' My master looked a
Mr.. Linwood and burst out laughing
Peter a spy says he; poor Peter
You won't beat that, captain. if yo1
talk till doomsday.' He turned abou