Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-03-15

TITS the shortest way" she shouted
back, for among the hummocks Of the
swamp she had got the start Of me
again.
And, unpleasant as felt this intrusion
to be, hastened on, overtaking her
once more just as we reached tiny
gateway SO covered with vines that
there was no need for Loreen to say:
81 do not believe this has been OPEN
ed for years, but it must be opened
now. And, throwing her young strength
against it, she burst it through with
all its vines, and bidding me pass she
stepped herself over the trailing
branches and made without word for
the winding path we now saw clearly
defined on the edge of the orchard be-
fore u.s.
"Oh," exclaimed Loreen, stopping
one moment to catch her breath, ST do
not know what fear or to what our
steps will bring us. I only know that
must hunt for Lucetta till find her
If there is danger where she is, must
share it. You can rest here or come far
ther on. But what is thisP"
1t was man. He had started sud
denly from some one Of the shadows
near the hedgerow.
"Silence!" he Whispered, putting his
finger on his lips. "H you are looking
for Miss Knollys, - he added, seeing us
both pause aghast, "she is on the lawn
beyond, talking to Mr.. Trohm. II you
come here, you can see her. She is In
no kind Of danger, but If she were Mr..
Gryce is in the first row Of trees to the
back there, and call from me-
That made me remember my whistle.
It was still round my neck, but my
hand, which had instinctively gone to
it, fell again in extraordinary emotion
as I took in the situation he had limited
at and realized that it was on Mr..
Trohm's grounds we stood and that 1t
was toward Mr. Trohm himself Loreen's
looks of unmistakable fear and dread
were turned.
"Loreen," whispered, SIT is not
here you look for a solution Of that
awful mystery?"
''Miss Butterworth, she answered,
sit is here you should look for it.
"Here? II" Never have felt such
emotion and never have so nearly sue
cumbed to it. "What do you meanW
prayed. "Tell me, tell me quickly what
you mean"
81 mean, she gasped, THAT that is
the man who has pursued US with his
hatred, driving my father and my moth
er into their graves. Obadiah Trohm Is
the rich man of whom we spoke to
you; not Deacon Spear or any one else
in this unhappy lane" And breaking
from me she slid away nearer the ill
assorted couple, in one Of whom from
that moment saw no longer the cour-
teous, kindly country gentleman, but a
monster of vengeful propensities, if not
something worse and still more diabol-
ical.
"Comel'' she beckoned, happily too
absorbed in her own emotions to notice
mine. "Let us get nearer. If Mr.. Trohm
is the wicked man we fear, there is no
telling what the means are which he
uses to get rid of his victims. There
was nothing to be found in his house,
but who knows but that the danger may
be around her now. It was evidently to
dare, it she came, to offer herself as q
martyr that we might know
"Hushl' whispered, controlling my
own fears reused against my will by
this display Of terror in this usually
calmest Of natures. ono danger can
menace her there, not where they two
stand, unless he is common assassin
and carries pistol''-
No pistol, murmured the man who
had crept again near us. pistols make
noise. He will not use pistol"
Good God!" whispered. "Youare
not anticipating also that 1t is in the
heart of this man to kill Lucettar"
"six strong men have disappeared
hereabout, said the fellow, never
moving his eye from the couple before
us. "Why not one weak girl2"
With cry Loreen started forward.
"Runl" she whispered. "Runp"
But as this word left her lips slight
movement took place in the belt Of trees
where we had been told Mr.. Gryoe lay
in hiding, and we could see him issue
for moment into sight with his finger
like that Of his man laid warningly on
his lips. Loreen trembled and drew
back, seeing which the man beside us
pointed to the hedge and whispered
softly:
"There is just room between that and
tho Foyoo FOR n parcoS, IN ma an u}dQruAva