Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-10-18

bGdiS4uB NOt d DlG, uOb u Dlt ike IT,.
I've gone through this scene dozens of
times, and she won't look miserable. l
don't believe she can, bless her hearth
go on, 90 on. Enter James Hardy.
He's the villain of the piece" he ex-
planned to Darrent. Squire Hardy, in
love with the village maiden; good old
crusted melodrama. But won't it go
Won't the public boot him9 Ahl" and
the energetic manager rushed across
the stage again. "It won't do, I tell
you. You say You're in my power!'
as if you were asking the time the next
train started for Chicago. Put some
life into it. Now, then, my dear, shrink
from him. I know he's not bad fell
low actually, but that's not his char
acter in the play. That's better. No;
wait minute. You're in my power
yes. that's all right Shrink and then
do little shrek. Now go back. If 1
could see him once more, could die
content. That's right. Enter Hardy
cue, lin my power'-good. Shrek: 4
am lostl Who will save mes' All, very
good! enter; struggle Yes, that's all
right. Now, do it like that tonight. 4"
The little scene was evidently settled
to Mr.. Ridgeway's satisfaction, and he
walked over to Herbert Darrent CHOW,
sir, am yours to command"
The detective, ever quick Judge Of
character, had long since arrived at the
conclusion that the best way to deal
with Mr.. Ridgeway was to come to the
point at once, and, having taken seat
in that gentleman's room and accepted
glass of wine that was generously
pressed upon him, he placed his hand in
HE pocket and, taking out the spring
knife, laid 1t upon the table.
u am not going to attempt to deceive
you, Mr.. Ridgeway," he exclaimed. 81
tell you frankly am a detective, in
quiring into the murder of your cousin,
Josiah Marsden.'
The manager, with his eyes riveted
upon the knife, nodded his head, but
said nothing.
"When did you see Josiah Marsden
last9''
"Two years ago, when he foreclosed
on his mortgage on this theater and
turned me into the streets almost
ruined. was the proprietor then. Now
I'm only the manager" Ridgeway re-
piled, with suppressed passion in his
voice. "Neyer seen him since then and
always prayed l never would-in case
Of accidents
"Ahl Have you ever seen that knife
beforef"
Ridgeway caught his breath.
"Marsden was murdered with that
knife. Do you remember ever seeing it
before2'
Never" the manager replied, turn
ing his gaze from the knife to his own
boots and nervously lingering the stem
Of his wineglass Never. That am
absolutely certain Of.
ga good hearted fellow" was OAR
rents mental note as he observed the
obvious embarrassment of the man.
"He's not used to telling lies, but it's
no use
'seen Astray Marsden lately9" he
INTERCEPTED.
"No."
"He's abroad, is he mott"
so they say.
"Ahl"
Good heavens, sirl" exclaimed Ar
thur Ridgeway, jumping to his feet.
"You don't mean to say you suspect
him2 It's impossible. He wouldn't do
it, I'd stake my right hand on it. He's
trump, as white man as was ever
made.''
"And SO is his friend, Arthur Ridge
way" Darrent interposed, slapping him
on the back. "There, don't disturb
yourself. If he's innocent, he'll be able
to prove it right enough" And, wiring
ing the mans hand, Herbert Darrent
strolled out of the theater and toward
the railway station.
arthur Ridgeway recognizes the
knife and knows that Astray Marsden
has returned" he muses.. Every we'll (;
things are getting closer. Now to see
whether young Marsden is worthy of
this mans good opinion or is one of the
biggest scoundrels BREATHING"