Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1899-04-27
CHAPTER xxx.
STRATEGY.
bIhAIEO1.
l was overwhelmed.

was overwhelmed.
What" said l, "you still doubt?"
II always doubt, he gravely replied.
"This cellar bottom offers a wide field
for speculation. Too wide, perhaps, but
have plan"
Here he leaned over and whispered u
few concise sentences in my ear in a
tone so low should feel that was be-
traying his confidence i'll repeating them.
But their import will soon become APP
parent from what presently occurred.
"Light Miss Butterworth to the stair
way" Mr.. Gryce now commanded one
of the men, and thus accompanied
found my way back to the kitchen,
where Hannah was bemoaning uncom-
forted the shame which had come upon
the house.
I did not stop to soothe her. That
was not my cue, nor would it have an
swered fniy purpose. On the contrary. I
exclaimed as passed her:
'IINhat shame! Those wretches can,
NOT be got away from the cellar. What
9oyou suppose they expect to find there?
4 left them poking hither and thither
jim way that will be very irritating to
! Miss Knollys if she is such a woman as
I am. wonder William stands it."
What she said in reply do not know.
Twas half way down the hall before my
own words were finished.
My next move was to go to my room,
where had among other small necessa-
ries a tiny hammer and some small
very sharp pointed tacks. Curious III I'll
cles, you will think, for d woman to
carry ON her travels, but am a woman
of experience and have known only too
often what it was to want these petty
conveniences and not be able to get
them. They were to serve me an odd
turn now. Taking half dozen tacks in
one hand and concealing the hammer in
my bag, I started boldly Tor William s
room. l knew that the girls were not
there, for / had heard them talking to-
gether in the sitting room when came
up. Besides, if they were, l had d ready
answer for any demand they might
make.
Searching out his boots, turned them
over, and into the sole of each drove
one of my small tacks. Then / put
them back in the same place and posi-
tion in which found them Task No
was done.
When l issued from the room, went
as quickly as could below. was now
ready for talk with the girls whom
found as l had anticipated, talking ant
weeping together in the sitting room.
They rose as came in, awaiting M,
first words in evident anxiety They hat
not heard me 60 up stairs. l immediate
ly let my anxiety and only too deep in
terest in this matter have full play.
"My poor girls! What is the meaning
OF this' Your mother just dead, and en-
matter kept from me- her friend! It
neutrality-suspicious.! do nc
know what to make of it or of YOU"
1t has strange look" said Loree
gravely, but we had reasons, Miss But
terworth. Our mother, charming an
sweet as you remember her. has not al
ways done right, or, what you will BET
ter understand, committed a crimina
act against person in this town, til
penalty of which is states prison.
With difficulty the words came out
With difficulty she kept down the fius
of shame which threatened to overwhell
her and did overwhelm her more sens
tive sister. But her self control wa
great, and she went bravely on, while
in faint imitation of her courage, r,
strained my own surprise and intoler,
BILE sense of shock and bitter sorrow vi
der guise of simple sympathy.
1T was forgery" she said. 9Th
has never before passed our lip
Though cherished wife and believe